Bud the Spud is an iconic chip truck in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.[1] In operation since 1977, it is parked outside the Spring Garden Road branch of the Halifax Public Libraries each summer until 2024 when another food vendor won the spot with a higher bid.[2][3] The edge of the old library is marked by a low concrete wall, and it is there that most customers sit and eat their fries. The truck sells hand-cut French fries made from Prince Edward Island potatoes,.[4] It currently offers French fries, fish and chips, hot dogs, poutine, and drinks.
| Bud the Spud | |
|---|---|
 Bud the Spud on Spring Garden Road | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1977 |
| Owner(s) | Kyle Conrod, Kathleen Porter |
| Previous owner(s) | Jody LeBlanc |
| Food type | French fries |
| City | Halifax |
| Country | Canada |
The truck was operated by Bud and Nancy True until 2010. The business operates only during the summer months; the Trues spent the rest of the year travelling. In early 2009 the Trues decided to retire and sell the business.[5] Due to the economic downturn, buyers for the business were unable to obtain financing, and the truck was operated by the Trues for another summer.[6] It was purchased in 2010 by Glenn Tait.[7] He operated the truck until 2015 when it was purchased by Jody LeBlanc who left his job as an instructor at a career college to run the food truck without any prior experience in the food business.[8] The truck was purchased in 2021 by Kyle Conrod and Kathleen Porter.[3]
Food critic Calvin Trillin, who summers in Nova Scotia, praised the truck in the New Yorker writing that "some summers, I would catch myself concocting an unlikely errand in Halifax, an hour and three-quarters from where I live, just to get within striking distance of Bud the Spud."[9]
References
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- ^ "'Bud the Spud' credits success to P.E.I. potatoes from Dawson Produce". Charlottetown Guardian. Transcontinental Media. 2009-04-23. Archived from the original on 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ "French fries free Bill, Bud the Spud". Calgary Herald. 2 December 1981. p. D2. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- ^ a b Lau, Rebecca (May 9, 2024). "Iconic Bud the Spud loses downtown Halifax spot, owners vow to roll with changes". Global News. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "Halifax on a Budget: Food". Up! Magazine. Westjet. 23 August 2010. Archived from the original on 30 August 2010.
- ^ "Halifax's Bud the Spud moves on". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2009-04-22. Archived from the original on 2009-06-06. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ McLeod, Paul (2008-08-28). "Bud the Spud back for one more summer". Daily Business Buzz. Archived from the original on 2009-08-28. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ "Glenn Tait owned Bud the Spud chip truck". THE CHRONICLE HERALD. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ Gordon, Will (3 June 2019). "Halifax's Favourite Fries". Halifax Magazine. Advocate Media. Archived from the original on 5 October 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- ^ Trillin, Calvin. "Funny Food." The New Yorker 23 Nov. 2009: 68.
External links
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