3 April 2009

Food van review: Gaby's in Barton

| Aubergine
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Had lunch today from Gaby’s food van in Barton.

This is parked behind the new PM&C building and almost-open new AG’s building, next to the oak plantation just off Kings Avenue.

Apparently it has been here for 20 years; certainly the last decade I can warrant. But for some reason I’ve never had an actual meal from it. What a shame as I discovered today!

I got a “super hot dog”, which must have weighed at least a kilo and contained a bun, frankfurt (invisible beneath the following), fried onions, cheese I think, mushy peas, mashed potato, bacon, fried egg, bbq sauce, mustard, and (of all things) “Argentinian mayonnaise” (I think Gaby hails from Argentina). Sounds a bit revolting I know, but it was actually delicious, good quality, incredibly messy, and meant I didn’t need any dinner (and no it hasn’t come back up yet).

The best bit – it cost just six dollars!

Gaby’s has loads of stuff like this. Regular hotdogs start at $3; burgers are cheap and ramp up to a similarly-adorned super hamburger. This is the sort of stuff the Central Cafe used to think it could do, but failed at because it all tasted crap. I think the van’s open early (6 or 7am) up to 3pm. Friendly service, a TV to watch, and there are even tables and chairs under the nice old oak trees.

It’s good to know places like this exist in Canberra, especially in the otherwise sterile Parliamentary Triangle. Try it out but make sure you’re really hungry before you order anything with “super” in front of its name.

8.5/10.

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I remember Gaby’s. Do they still do Nachos ? Mmmmmmmmmm…..nachos…….

Americanberran7:25 pm 03 Apr 09

I’d tell ya ’bout the reputation that food vans have earned over the years with respect to hygiene, but I wouldn’t want you to choke on that humungous red hot…unless you’re a proper “laidee”…

Yes good food Gaby’s, though I hear he will be retiring soon and will be closing up. Not sure when that will be. 🙁

Aubergine said :

PS: Not open weekends.

BOO BOO 🙁 was going to ask if they are open late at night……

Pommy bastard4:47 pm 03 Apr 09

Aubergine said :

PS: Not open weekends.

Small mercies…small mercies…

Considering you think this crap is nice and central cafe is disgusting says a lot.

Yep, when I was at PM&C a number of years ago, this was certaily a “go-to” place for many.

PS: Not open weekends.

Location at centre of http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&t=h&msid=105744663573741653893.0004669dd92b7d794ca07&ll=-35.306234,149.132028&spn=0.00338,0.004807&z=18

Gaby’s is the small group of boxes to the upper left of the construction cabins out back of AG’s (big building with cranes). Closest to oak plantation.

Argentinian mayo may just be Praise that’s been left out in the sun.

See all you gourmands there!

Pommy bastard1:38 pm 03 Apr 09

got a “super hot dog”, which must have weighed at least a kilo and contained a bun, frankfurt (invisible beneath the following), fried onions, cheese I think, mushy peas, mashed potato, bacon, fried egg, bbq sauce, mustard, and (of all things) “Argentinian mayonnaise”

Sounds like a recipe for a heart attack. I’m sorry, but I have too much respect for my digestive system, and general health, to eat something like that.

la mente torbida1:25 pm 03 Apr 09

Can I get an ECG with that?

eyeLikeCarrots1:18 pm 03 Apr 09

Hotdog Report (Minus the Mushy Peas):

Mash Potato – instant
Gravy – instant
Hotdog – Traditional red tube of meath that *might* have come from a named, domesticated animal.
Bun – Standard white bun.
Argentinian Mayonnaise – noting particularly special, taste masked by fake proto-gravy.

Was this worth $6 ? – No
Would it be worth $6 if I’d included the Mushy Peas ? – I don’t think so.
Would I eat another one of these again ? – I don’t think so.
Do I feel jipped for spending $6 on this ? – Yeah, pretty much.
Am I prepared to take a bet on RiotACT food posts in the future ? – Sure, you only live once.

BEST food van ever.

Friday afternoons, 6 pack of beer, and a monster burger and chips ( for $7!!), sitting on the tables under the trees.

Heavenly.

OMG sound great, Monday lunch I am there

Thanks for the tip. I just moved into the new AG building today and was wondering what to have for lunch. Seeya – hotdog here I come!

Sounds scrummy! Bother this diet.

Aubergine.

EXACT location please (google map). Is it on National Circuit?
Is it open on weekends?

gun street girl10:48 am 03 Apr 09

For bonus points, could you expand on the “Argentinian mayonnaise” bit? That’s intriguing enough to warrant a visit on its own!

I got a “super hot dog”, which must have weighed at least a kilo and contained a bun, frankfurt (invisible beneath the following), fried onions, cheese I think, mushy peas, mashed potato, bacon, fried egg, bbq sauce, mustard, and (of all things) “Argentinian mayonnaise” (I think Gaby hails from Argentina)….

The best bit – it cost just six dollars!

Aside from the peas I’m pretty tempted to seek out Gaby’s and give this a go based on your description. Sounds like a great price if it’s as large as it sounds.

Their chicken schnitzel rolls are tops too, heaps of fresh avocado on them. Perfect for chasing away a hangover.
The hot chips and gravy fail everytime though, overcooked or re-cooked or something…

I was reading this, remembering the caravan behind the McLaughlin offices where the Public Service Board was… and then you said it’d been there 20 years! This must be the same people. In 1987, I was at the Board and used to get a chicken club sandwich there most days… it was so good, I remember it.

I’ve seen the tables and chairs set up in the oaks there, didn’t realise the caravan people were doing it. The PM&C people put them to good use.

Sounds like it’s worth a visit. Or two.

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