Fast food in London – speed issue Completely London magazine

Fast food

From Mexican in the shadow of the Barbican to hot dogs in
Hoxton, London's pavement trucks are serving up gourmet
feasts in a flash...

Fast food

From Mexican in the shadow of the Barbican to hot dogs in
Hoxton, London's pavement trucks are serving up gourmet
feasts in a flash...

Fast food

From Mexican in the shadow of the Barbican to hot dogs in
Hoxton, London's pavement trucks are serving up gourmet
feasts in a flash...

Luardo’s, Whitecross Street, EC1

These boys have the best trailer around. Spearmint green with flashes of black and white, an intricately painted filigree around the edge, a spray painted lady smiling lasciviously from the side – she wants you to taste this burrito, oh yes. What a burrito too. Satisfying in the extreme, a 12” tortilla crammed with tender pork carnitas, with supporting fire of black beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream, lettuce and fresh coriander.

Lucky Chip, Netil Market, E8

Messy, sloppy, gloriously greasy – burgers were meant to be this way. In a disused car park seconds from the main drag of Broadway Market, this is where the deviously named burgers drive the show. The Charlie Sheen is a mix of longhorn beef, applewood smoked cheese, and beer soaked onions. Tom Selleck is immortalised with beetroot infused onion rings. Triple cooked fries laced with truffle oil served from a shiny metal trailer in East London? Curiouser and curiouser...

Gujarati Rasoi, Exmouth Market, EC1

Lalita and Urvesh are masters of the chaat, roadside Indian food prepared by a mother and son team. Samosa chaat is the perfect handful to eat on the move in the City, a cute parcel of potato and vegetables, creamy mung bean dhal – a wholesome dish with sure fire restorative properties. Thali and vegetable curries are a soothingly independent alternative to the scrum of Upper Street chain eateries – up the road in N1 – when they pitch up in Exmouth Market. Smiley service too...

Big Apple Hot Dogs, Old Street, EC1

The joyous 'snap' of the skin as you bite down is the revelation that hints at the truth: these are the best dogs in London. Pumping out pristine hot dogs from his cart at the gritty end of Old Street, Abiye Cole has brought this much maligned snack into gourmet territory. The Big Frank is a star – coarsely textured free range pork frankfurter of real class. Fresh rolls each day from Anderson’s of Hoxton are the final mark of distinction. Fun fast food with zero guilt.

FAST TRAIN... the Olympic Javelin Train service will speed spectators from St Pancras to the Olympic Park in Stratford in a sprightly 7 minutes

Completely London, completely free

Whether you love to live fast, or prefer to sit back and take it slow, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in the autumn/winter issue of Completely London magazine. Visit a KFH estate agent to pick up a free copy or email your name and address to order@completelylondon.co.uk.

Coming soon…BEAUTY

Gritty and gorgeous, beautiful and beastly: take a good look at London and tell us what beauty means to you in the city, email donna@completelylondon.co.uk.

Photography: Alys Tomlinson