October 2026: The Cooking Begins Again

And now, fast forward to October 2026. The Irish Van is preparing to open its very first café on the Gold Coast. After six years away from the food truck that started it all, we're finally getting back to something we have missed — cooking. The breakfast rolls, chicken fillet rolls, spice bags, curry chips and other favourites that people enjoyed from our original food truck are making their return. Only this time, we're putting down roots. Our new café will bring together freshly cooked food, authentic products from The Irish Butcher, Irish groceries and a place where people can sit down, enjoy a meal and have a bit of craic. It's an exciting new chapter for us, and one we never imagined when we asked that simple question back in March.

Looking back, it's been quite a journey. From falling in love with Irish food between 2000 and 2005, to launching our food truck in 2018, saying goodbye in 2020, and finding our way back in 2026. There have been challenges, changes of direction and plenty of lessons along the way. But one thing has remained the same — our love of good Irish food and the community that surrounds it. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us, whether you visited our original food truck, responded to our comeback post, placed an order, met us on the road or simply shared a few encouraging words. You've all played a part in bringing The Irish Van back. The food truck may be gone, but the heart behind it never left. And now, with our first café about to open, the cooking is finally beginning again. Thank you for being part of our journey.