Over the summer Nick Morrison The Orkney News’ very own roving reporter went undercover to check out the mobile food vans that provide such a valuable service all year round at locations throughout Mainland. 

Here is what he found:

 The Snak-Pot.  Open 7 days a week 8.30am – 2.30pm    Call 07746 476521

The Lunch Box  07522 494057

The Peedie Chippie Finstown carpark on Friday evening from 16.00 and from Stromness Pierhead on Saturday from 16.00.

Leigh’s  Finstown car park Tuesday to Saturday from 08.30 till 14.30 and on Sunday from 10.30 till 14.30

The Snak-Pot (Photo N Morrison)

The Snak-Pot has been in various locations around the Hatston estate. The camera shy cook has been working in that van for 9 years . The Snak-Pot is currently to be found close by the Ayre mills roundabout. Good parking and a view of the outer harbour. There is an extensive menu, we sampled the minute steak sandwich and a spicy chicken sub. Tasty and substantial — well done cook!

The Lunchbox (N Morrison)

The Lunchbox has been trading in its present pitch for about a year in the car-park opposite Lidl. I turned up at around 12.30 to find a few folk already ahead of me. There was a steady flow of people from different walks of life. Tradesmen in vans, business people, housewives– even an itinerant reporter! I had an “Elvis Burger” — a burger with lettuce, sliced gherkin, and onion rings in batter. It was an interesting and tasty lunch. The Lunchbox has an extensive menu and I particularly liked the sound of their “Breakfast Box”  which has distinct possibilities for working people.

Peedie Chippie (N Morrison)

The Peedie Chippie  The local standard practice appeared to be to collect from the chippie and take it home. We sat at the tables on the green. Lesley Drever has been doing this for 25 years. His daughter and granddaughter serve the customers and he does the cooking. So a real family business. He has patiently built up a cadre of regulars as can be seen from the photos. It was a cool blustery evening but that seemed to have little effect on the queues. We sampled the standard fish and chips, scampi, polony and pattie. All were excellent and of generous portions. I was glad I ordered a  fish and “small” chips!

Leigh’s photo N Morrison

Leigh’s:  This is a good location in the Finstown car park in many respects, the Van is set back a wee bit off the road so passing vehicles are not a nuisance. There are some picnic tables on the grass so you can sit and look out to sea. Leigh has built up a cadre of “regulars” since she has been here. I observed a steady flow of cars/ pickup trucks coming into the car park and a Biker who didn’t bother looking at the menu just ordered  “A Smoke Stack” from memory. I ordered “The Rossini Burger. My companion had a McCartney burger which is a vegetarian version. Excellent. Kept the pair of us quiet for a bit. The dogs also appreciated their tidbits from Leigh.