An Ontario food truck known for its desserts has finally opened a permanent location
An Ontario food truck that’s a hit for its Filipino desserts has finally settled into permanent digs with a new Toronto location.
It’s not terribly often, especially in a city like Toronto, where no fewer than 10 new food businesses seem to pop up every single day, that a mobile concept like a pop-up or food truck can stay alive, let alone grow, for an extended period.
When it comes to North York’s The Crane Express, however, that’s exactly what’s happened.
Founded by a self-described “small, passionate team of Filipino-Canadian entrepreneurs,” the food truck and concept was initially born as a pop-up serving Filipino snacks and desserts and festivals and events around the city eight years ago in 2017.
At the start, they served just one thing: halo-halo, in a variety of different flavours and colours, topped with tropical fruits and other treats. It was an instant hit.
“The response was incredible,” a member of The Crane Express’s team told Dished Toronto. “We went from weekend pop-ups to selling out at major events and even launching monthly giveaways and collabs. Our signature purple cups quickly became a staple in the community.”
Concurrent with The Crane Express’s growth, both popularity- and business-wise, Filipino food has also seen a rise in interest from the city’s non-Filipino community in recent years. Look no further than the buzzy new Filipino restaurants cropping up on the regular, or the Filipino pop-ups dominating the city’s social calendar.
Over time, The Crane Express began to offer catering, opening a kitchen in North York where, on top of its extensive halo-halo, milk tea and smoothie offerings, it introduced a savoury food menu, too, including a variety of noodle dishes, soups, and meat served on sizzling plates.
Now, as of Tuesday, July 29, they’ve officially opened up shop in their first-ever brick-and-mortar location — but shush: it’s a soft opening for now.
They’ve cut the ribbon on a new, permanent space on Victoria Park Avenue just north of Steeles in Markham, in a move that the representative who spoke with Dished Toronto calls “surreal,” though they are quick to add that they’re “deeply grateful” for it, too.
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“Opening a brick-and-mortar has always been the dream,” they told Dished Toronto. “It feels like we’re planting roots in the city that raised us, and we’re beyond excited to bring even more Southeast Asian-inspired treats to Toronto.”
As a bonus, now we’ve got an excuse to eat halo-halo year-round. What could be better?
The Crane Express
Address:Â 7261 Victoria Park Ave., Markham
Phone: (647) 270-2726
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