Working the past several summers at the Budweiser Stage (now known as the RBC Amphitheatre, a change that's going to take me probably another summer or so to properly remember)... I've seen quite a few prominent Toronto food trucks roll in and set up in the south-east corner of the grounds (close to where the old water park used to be).
This is a particular avenue my reviewing knowledge does not tread. I rarely rely upon any of the food offerings available at any of the venues I work, instead typically bringing my own food (a choice which has probably saved me thousands of dollars in the aggregate at this point). That said, I do like to indulge maybe once or twice a season at Budderbc Stageatheatre if there's a food truck that looks genuinely appealing.
Which brings us to the Heirloom food truck, regarded by many of my summer co-workers as "the good" or "best" one to consistently appear this past summer (you see, there is a rotation and not every concert will feature the same food trucks... except for the very very mediocre poutine one which is always there for some reason).
So who or what is "Heirloom Toronto" exactly? Glad you (presumably) asked! It's actually a catering company based out of southwestern Etobicoke that operates both the food truck and a commercial kitchen there (don't go knocking on their doors!). In addition, their offshoot 'Cheat Day Desserts' food truck is apparently known for a cheesecake on a stick? Wild stuff.
Back on track here (these "Quick Bites" are supposed to be quick after all) this here is an item offered by the regular Heirloom food truck: BBQ Beef Cheese Fries. The title describes the essentials: fries, shredded marble cheese, pulled BBQ beef, with some crispy onions and a drizzle of chipotle mayo.
The fries are great: oily, crispy and tasting of something you get from a good greasy carnival spot. The crispy onions are quite prominent throughout, providing some sting to every bite... while the drizzle of mayo lends some much needed creaminess to the other more dry elements (there isn't an excessive amount of cheese and it isn't all that melted anyhow).
As for the BBQ beef... thumbs up. Tender with a slight smokeyness to the sauce, which is not all that sweet, nor is it dripping in the stuff. Just enough to let the meat shine through. Plus the beef has an odd lime/citrus hint as well that adds another dimension.
This is all very much a guilty snack best shared with others or a moderately sized cheat meal for one (it is quite sizeable). Also at thirteen bucks (plus all the tax and jazz) was downright thievery considering standard concert venue price inflation (though always tip your handsome, charming bartenders of course).
Overall! I gotta say this is a damn terrific food truck and I hope to see more of them next summer. Checking their website, they are optimistic to have some kind of storefront operational in 2026 as well, which I'd recommend is worth keeping an eye out for also. They're great!
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Okay, before we go, there's one last little story I want to share that is connected to the Heirloom food truck. Back in early July, I was working the Dave Matthews concert, which always brings out a very different but friendly type of crowd. My assigned bar happened to be close to the congregation of food trucks and early in the evening a gentleman, probably mid-40s, came and ordered from me. Instead of leaving a monetary gratuity, he gave me this:
I gotta say (and full disclosure here) I've been tipped some pretty odd things in my career. Nuggets of weed or half rolled joints, buttons, stickers, shirts, string, even a female undergarment once (for real)... but this one has to be the most deliciously bizarre. And yeah yeah yeah, if you're thinking "maybe this guy drugged it or something???" keep in mind this was still daylight, I'm in a staff uniform with a partner at my spot, I'm also a male and a rather large one at that, security does check people upon entry for that kind of stuff (no outside liquids in the venue) but really most of all this was a Dave freaking Matthews concert. Maybe not the kind of music that attracts the nefarious date-rapey types. The types that empty a bus toilet over an unsuspecting tourist boat, maybe...
Anyhow, just a bizarre yet fun tale. Also, the taco itself (a fish one) was extremely tasty... perfectly crispy (even cold) with a great fishy flavour and plenty of juice in the slaw and sauce. And that's my Taco Tip story. Taco Tip Tale? Tremendous.
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