Bud The Spud

Halifax’s original food truck!!! Awesome fish & chips … A must stop when visiting the city.

Halifax foodie shame alert: until this week, I’d never eaten at Bud the Spud. That’s right, the chip wagon that pre-​dates possibly every other mobile food merchant in the city. This was a result of a combination of generally not being nearby mid-​day and a certain amount of laziness and culinary condescension (just regular, non-​gourmet fries? Pffft). But recently I’ve been wanting to hit up this stalwart of Spring Garden Road, and made my way here after first burning off some calories at the gym.
They’ve got a few more things than fries and pop, although it’s just sausages and hot dogs. Simple stuff, but that’s fine. Their combo deal is very reasonable, $ 7 taxes in for fries, a hot dog or sausage, and a drink; I went with a sausage and water. There’s the basics for condiments — ketchup, white and malt vinegars for the fries, mustard, onions, sauerkraut, pickles and banana peppers for your tube steak.
There weren’t many people ahead of me so my food came pretty quickly, and I plopped down on a library bench, ready to defend it against the aggressive birds that thicken their arteries off Bud’s leftovers. Seriously, these must be the most heart attack-​prone birds in the world.
My plate certainly looked good, with what looked like a regular sized bag of their golden brown fries. It’s nice to see that they either use the right potatoes or blanch them first, because they’re not too dark like many hand-​cut fries. The fries proved to be as good as they looked too, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I was worried that the fries at the bottom might get soggy from steaming in their own heat, so once I was done the sausage I spread them out, and that seemed to work. The sausage itself was fine, a nice snap from the casing and mild flavour made it inoffensive if still unimpressive. It was definitely a lot of food for seven bucks, if not the healthiest.
This trip was all about the fries though, and Bud is definitely serving up some damn good spuds.

The BEST fries in the city, nay, the WORLD…
Okay, maybe a little exaggerated, but Bud has a special place in my heart. Growing up in Halifax it is a city landmark, and for me a place my dad would take us for a summer treat.
They still, after all these years and even after a change in ownership, make some delicious french fries, the service is always great and when you can go get a treat like this and a drink for under 10 $…I say «why not?»… I also say «Should we get another?» or «You’re NOT getting a large?»…but that is another story!

I know, I know. It’s practically Halifax heresy not to give them a ⁵⁄₅. And I do love them. I’m just not in love with them.
But let’s focus on the many good qualities of Bud the Spud.
First off, I love that they don’t judge me for putting mustard on my fries. Yes, it’s a thing. And it’s glorious!
Second, they have mustard to put on my fries! They have a huge selection of condiments to go with your densely packed bag o’ fries.
Third, fries! Really good. Not the best I’ve ever had but good.
Four, location. How can you beat Spring Garden Road library? It’s a brilliant location to grab people who are touring around downtown on a warm summer-​y day or taking a break from their office to catch some sun.
Five: the name. C’mon, that’s just a genius marketing.

Fries. They have mastered fries. That might not sound that great until you try their fries. Simple food using quality ingredients done well is the real mark of sophistication. With the exception of il Mercato all the fancy restaurants in the city can fall into the harbor and it would not total the loss of Bud the Spud not being there on a sunny summer afternoon.

Bud was busy today. The sun was out and downtown was full of shoppers.
I know its seems difficult to believe that a bag of fresh cut home made fries, with malt vinegar, salt and a dash of ketchup can hit the spot, grab a piece of stone wall to sit on, and just simply enjoy.
This is Bud the Spud experience. You can’t miss it! You have to make sure you can do one visit this summer.
Another job well doe Bud!

Oh Bud, good to have you back.
Our favorite downtown truck-​o-​fries as been around for weeks now, but its just as of lately that I’ve indulged in the salty goodness. When you’ve got the hankering for a good fry, Bud The Spud is the best decision.
Its just so much more than an ordinary fry. The home-​sliced and seasoned goodness of Bud just makes the difference. And what’s better than a warm summer jaunt and a grass lounge with treats. The infamous truck is parked beside the Spring Garden library, and allows for plenty of room to relax in the great outdoors. The city buzz and room to relax make it that much more perfect.
Everyone’s got to give Bud a try. Best fries, hands down… and a long-​time family run business. Hurrah!

HEEEEEEEE’SSS Backkkkkkkkk. Yummy. The all to delicious and famous Bud the Spud truck that has been a staple of my walks on Spring Garden road for years was out this weekend and boy did I enjoy it. After taking my nephew and niece to a comic function DT we stopped at Buds and ordered three large fries and three pop for $ 17.00 and was it worth it.
All hand cut potatoes done until they are golden brown served hot in a brown paper bag that turns greasy buy the end. I have learned to close my eyes to that or eat them fast enough before it gets to noticeabale, hahaha. Topped with ketchup and a touch of salts makes for great summer snack.
Make sure that you visit this location if you are here for a visit, ask anyone where the Bud truck is and they will tell you.

Ah, Bud the Spud. My old favourite. In summer, spring or fall, nothing says Downtown Halifax like grabbing some home-​cut fries from Bud and sitting on the library wall taking in the sights and sounds of Spring Garden Road.
Bud the Spud offers steaming hot fries fresh from the fryer, all for low low prices. If you’re embarrassed to be seen eating chip-​truck fries in public, fear not: you won’t be alone. Everyone and their brother heads to Bud’s on a summer day; the line-​up here can be longer than the wait to get seated in some of the upstairs pubs a little farther up the street.
In early 2009, it was announced that the owners of Bud the Spud were going to pack it in and retire. Buyers were sought, but ultimately deals fell through. Bud the Spud operated through the 2009 season, but it’s unclear as to whether it’ll be around for 2010.
Don’t go away, Bud! Downtown Halifax needs you!

Today marked a) my first visit to Bud the Spud, and b) my first street vendor snack of the season — Huzzah!
A lovely sunlit jaunt through the city today gobbled up all of my pancake breakfast energy and left me in need of a tasty, albeit unhealthy sidewalk treat. Andrew and I opted to share a medium helping, costing us $ 4.25. It came in a soon-​to-​be super greasy brown bag with a fork, and a counter of options for toppings.
A dash of salt, a squeeze of vinegar and a side of ketchup seemed the perfect companions to these home cut potato strips. We saddled up on a grassy hillside, and watched the street traffic as we indulged in deep fried goodness.
The patrons were plentiful and the fries abundant at this Halifax french fry pinnacle of excellence. Swing by their new location on Grafton Street, close to the Black Market, for a greasy treat next time you’re in the area (just don’t make a habit of it!).

Ever walked down Spring Garden and started to wonder where the smell of deep fried chips was coming from? Well now you know, it’s ‘Bud the Spud.’
Bud and his wife Nancy, have been operating their little fry shack in front of the Public Library on Spring Garden Road, for over 30 years. These fries are delicious!
Definitely check them out next summer. The real challenge is not visiting Bud and Nancy too often.