Dylan and Katrina Pires are well acquainted with the ups and downs of running a food-truck business. The owners of beloved fried chicken-wing wagon King of the Wings have cruised the streets of Brisbane for more than six years, slinging batches of cluckin’ good bites far and wide (as far as New York, even, where they won second place at Wingfest 2016). As successful as they’ve been, they know that the livelihood of food truck vendors is largely dependent on the weather. The amount of events that have been rained out or cancelled due to fears of inclement conditions are countless, often leaving truck operators in the lurch and seeking a last-minute opportunity to sell on their stock. In a move inspired by equal parts evolution and preservation, Dylan and Katrina started pondering potential all-weather alternatives, landing on the idea of an enclosed hub where food truck vendors could sell their fare without Mother Nature interfering. The duo linked up with property development services company Reds Group to help realise the idea, securing a former Deception Bay Video Ezy location that was the perfect blank canvas for Dylan and Katrina to impart their vision for StrEAT Easy. A play on ‘easy street eats’ (and a cheeky reference to the site’s Video Ezy origins), StrEAT Easy is the kind of local family-friendly eatery and bar that Deception Bay sorely needed (fast food is still the dominant hospitality offering in the area), boasting a clutch of unique vendors hawking a more versatile dining experience.

StrEAT Easy brings together four of Brisbane’s best and most consistent street-food operators under one roof. The venue’s interior houses four fully operational kitchens and a bar, plus ample communal seating for groups to gather around. Dylan and Katrina are responsible for handpicking three vendors to occupy these kitchens alongside their own King of the Wings, with each operator signing on for a six-month lease (King of the Wings is the only permanent fixture). The first collection of StrEAT Easy vendors includes Flavours Of Eataly, That Greek Truck and frozen-yoghurt dispensary Yo-Get-It, with each operator creating a menu to suit the venue. Mixing and matching is encouraged – no one will look twice if you and your pals are chowing down on a feast that boasts a souvlaki open grill, a 12-pack of southern-style wings with fries and beef lasagne with a side of mozzarella arancini. Early next year, Dylan and Katrina will bolster their King of the Wings StrEAT Easy menu with ribs and sliders – exclusive items you won’t be able to get from their truck. StrEAT Easy’s bar maintains the thread of supporting local endeavour, with local craft beers on offer alongside a few wines and basic spirits. In the coming months, StrEAT Easy will expand into the neighbouring lot, adding a fifth kitchen (which will house an as-yet undisclosed Asian street-food vendor) as well as a drive-through for grab-and-go orders. Dylan and Katrina have big plans for the StrEAT Easy concept, with more locations planned for Beenleigh and Springfield Lakes over the next two years.

StrEAT Easy is now open! For operating hours and other details, head to the Stumble Guide.