Although sitting down in a restaurant or café is a great way to enjoy eating out, there is something to be said for the humble food truck or takeaway, which facilitates al fresco dining and often is a little more budget-friendly than a sit-down meal. Besides, as soon as there’s a warm and sunny afternoon in Glasgow, we all know that everyone’s first instinct is to flock to the nearest park – so why not add some delicious food into the mix for a perfect spring or summer day?
The first place on this list may be something of a hidden gem thanks to its unassuming location in the Sainsbury’s petrol station on Woodlands Road, but Mrs Falafel is well-known by students for delicious food for a fiver or less. They serve authentic street food made to a family recipe, featuring grilled halloumi, fresh hummus, baba ghanoush, crunchy pickled vegetables, and of course falafel. The falafel is possibly the best I’ve ever had – perfectly herby without being overpowering, with a freshly-fried crunchy golden exterior giving way to the soft interior. Paired with their garlic or chilli sauces and soft wraps, Mrs Falafel consistently comes up top for me. Its location also makes it a perfect takeaway for a sunny day, as Kelvingrove Park is nearby, and there are also benches beside the truck if you really can’t wait to tuck in. Personally, I find it really hard to choose whether to get a halloumi wrap or the classic falafel wrap, so bringing a friend so you can have half od each kind is recommended.
On the other side of Kelvingrove, MacTassos on Kelvin Way serves a selection of Greek food, primarily Gryos with vegetarian and meat-eating options. Thick slices of halloumi pair well with their fluffy flatbreads, crispy chips and red onion and tomato garnish. They also serve falafel as another vegetarian option, which I am yet to try. The location is ideal for enjoying on a sunny day, as they couldn’t be closer to the park.
On the pricier end of the scale, Le Petit Coq on Byres’ Road is an Italian sandwicherie serving made-to-order baguettes, tartines, and a selection of sweet treats. The baguettes average around £9, which I definitely wouldn’t call affordable, but for a treat on a summer’s day, they are worth it. My favourite baguette features tangy goat’s cheese, a sweet balsamic glaze, fresh rocket, walnuts, and a delicious basil pesto. The baguettes have a perfect chewy crust with a soft interior, and are generously filled, so you won’t be left hungry. They also have vegan options, featuring vegan pesto and sun blushed tomatoes. You can choose to either take your sandwich of choice away and enjoy it in the park or sit inside their stylishly decorated premises.
In Dumbarton, a short train ride from Partick station, The Big Taquero is a Mexican food truck with a seating area which consistently comes up online when searching for Mexican food options in the Glasgow area. I tried their food when they were doing a guest spot at Nice n Sleazy’s, and was not left disappointed. They have great vegan and vegetarian options – corn ribs topped with feta, crunchy fried cauliflower tacos, and even watermelon taquitos, which were a surprisingly good combination of sweet and savoury ingredients. Going to Dumbarton for their food and a nice little evening trip out of the city is definitely on my bucket list for this summer – and they’ve also started doing Mexican brunch on a Sunday, which sounds incredible.
The last takeaway I recommend for the coming sunny days is a west end classic – getting a pizza from Paesano’s and eating it in the Botanics. Although not everyone is a fan of Neapolitan pizza bases, I love the fluffiness of the crust on a Paesano’s pizza. My choice is No.6, featuring soft grilled peppers, mild ricotta and creamy mozzarella, spinach, and extra virgin olive oil. The quality and reputation of Paesano pizza speaks for itself, and there is no better way to enjoy it than in the Botanics on a sunny day. Paesano’s pizza is also relatively affordable when compared to the likes of Domino’s and Papa Johns (if you needed another reason to go).
Overall, the diversity of food truck and takeaway options in Glasgow’s west end and beyond mean that nobody should be resigned to eating a sad picnic in the park this summer. Writing this has really made me excited for the spring and summer days to come – after all, what can be better than eating good food on a rare sunny day in Glasgow?
Evie McCabe
(Vegetarian Eats as a UofG Student is a monthly column by Evie McCabe, exclusive to qmunicatemagazine.co.uk. Stay tuned for more instalments!)
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