In the Capital, lunch, dinner and are very well catered for, and many places provide breakfast all day. All of this we take for granted, but what about the times in-between? The random times when you want something…else?
At any time we can be struck down by the munchies – a singular hunger that doesn’t crave a full meal but, whatever it wants, it wants it immediately. Having often been a victim to a sudden strong craving, I have discovered there is an answer to any food desire.
Of course there is the 24-hour establishment, namely McDonalds, a place where food is relatively predictable but often not what we’re looking for. Across the way a favourite of the late night pub and club goers, a brightly lit sign just out of the Civic Bus Interchange points the way to Chicken Gourmet. It may surprise you to know this place is open much earlier in the day… before it is even dark! Also, it has varieties of salad and even dessert as well as the piles and pile of chips with gravy chicken salt..
For places with much less known names, check out Braddon’s food truck heaven. Broddogs is the brightest coloured of the lot (and possibly the most convenient), and provides almost any kind of hot dog you like. Try one with cheese (gruyere for the cheese lovers out there), crispy bits of potato, and sauerkraut all piled high on kransky or Vienna Frankfurt. They even have a dog-less hot dog.
And what about a milkshake to go with your dog? Just next door is April’s Caravan with all the favourites like chocolate and vanilla as well as some not-so-expected ones like, Lemon Meringue Pie and Apple Pie (just to name my own two favourites). They deliciously replicate the desserts they’re named for, but you get a little extras – tiny meringues, or a line of cinnamon with a shortbread biscuit respectively on top.
Several other food vans co-habit in this outside food court, but let’s not neglect the inside ones. I have found that the hours between lunch and dinner are the best ones for a cup of Pho. A bowl would be too big for a snack so a cup of hot broth, meat, noodles and some garnishing greens are just what three o’clock on a winter’s day calls for. Vietnamese is all over the city and a cup-sized Pho can also be found at Roll’d in the downstairs food courts of Canberra City and Westfield Woden.
A couple of kiosks pop out of the wall in Garema Place, appearing out of nowhere with a sandwich at exactly at the moment you need it (Tuckshop to name just one). So we are also well catered for when afflicted with the munchies. Thank God, for these perfect little places as some of us get a little ‘hangry’ in the hours between appointed meals!
