Danielle Noiseux is no stranger to culinary innovation. Over 25 years ago, the owner of Pizzaioille restaurants brought the first wood stove pizza to Montreal. But his newest innovation is much more original, or at the very least more novel. We've heard of pop-up stores and we've heard of street food, but Noiseux's Müvbox has taken both concepts to new territory. Located in Montreal's Old Port, Müvbox is Montreal's first pop-up street food restaurant.
At night, Müvbox is just a plain old maritime shipping container, but during the day it's a fully functional restaurant. The restaurant is actually made from a shipping container, but at the touch of a button, it folds out into a café in 90 seconds flat, complete with open air dining area and fully functional kitchen. Then at the end of the day, it retreats back into its cube ready to do it all again tomorrow.
It sounds like it could just be a cheap gimmick, but Müvbox avoids all the trappings of empty publicity. For starters, the concept is actually environmentally sound. Made from a repurposed shipping container, the entire bistro is essentially recycled, while two solar panels derive almost half of the restaurant's energy directly from the sun, and the floor is made from recycled tires.
The concept is also beneficial for prospective beginner entrepreneurs. Since the restaurant is completely portable, it's essentially rent-free and therefore recession-proof, and since it's not a full-scale restaurant, the start-up costs are much lower. Noiseux plans on marketing the concept to potential franchisees and catering to special events.
That's all well and good, but at heart Müvbox is a restaurant, so it has to have good food to be successful. Rather than the typical street food candidates like tube steaks and poutine, Müvbox offers a variety of dishes like Îles-de-la-Madeleine, seafood pizza, and even lobster. In other words, this is actually a real restaurant, not just a gimmick.
As long as you aren't' in Müvbox when the button is pushed, it's hard to see how the concept could go wrong.
7 Reader Reviews
The muvbox truck, hmmm... Well, it's great! Food is consistently good, portions are decent size, and the prices aren't too bad either. Their service is quick and the truck is kept clean, they even bust out a couple of chairs and tables for you to sit at. Definitely try their little pizzas, you won't be disappointed.
1. Klaus Ommen's Review:: August 30, 2009
Klaus Ommen's Rating: 3 Stars
What I don't understand is why is this truck getting so many positive reviews? There are so many better food trucks in Montreal. Explore your options folks. Sure it gets real crowded here but it doesn't mean its good.
2. Craig Oliver's Review:: August 16, 2009
Craig Oliver's Rating: 2 Stars
Ok, I am a montrealer who enjoys all types of restaurant the city has to offer and I can enjoy a hot greasy poutine from La Belle Province as much as a veal masala from Da Emma. The important thing here remains the value for your buck. I mean, I went there with an open mind, and given all the good reveiews I had read, I never thought i'd be disappointed by trying Muvbox. First thing, I don't know who's idea it was to put lobster misex with mayo into a hot dog bread - but it doesn't exactly showcase your food very well...a panini would have done a better job...and even then...The pizzas were decent, but the cook put so much flour on his table when preparing it that each bite was accompanied by a cloud of flour in the air (and in my mouth). Not enough ingredients on the pizza and it definitely needed spices of some sort. The clamshowder was ok, nothing great nor very tasty...I stood at one of the stools to eat my food and had to enjoy my meal hearing the manager scold her employees during the entire time... Now, all this with a bag of chips and 1 drink for 30$ (no tip included). I can think of many other restaurants to go eat at before I go back there again...sorry guys...but I feel this is just another tourist trap in the old port of Montreal....just a better, more clevre looking one... :/
3. Isabelle's Review:: July 13, 2009
Isabelle's Rating: 2 Stars
I finally found the Muvbox cart last night. Got the seafood pizza, and I can't complain! It isn't a bad price
The truck is a fun twist, but it would be nice if the truck ventured to other parts of the city every now and again
4. Dan Ingram's Review:: July 04, 2009
Dan Ingram's Rating: 4 Stars
Holy smokes I was shocked when I found this place! After living in Montreal for 3 years, I consider myself to be quite well-versed on street food...but this place is in a league of its own! One night when I was quite a bit tipsy I stumbled up to this truck curiously and requested the pizza with everything on it. The dude was like, "spicy?" And I'm like, "yeah, throw everything you got back there on it." I wouldn't exactly call the end result spicy, but it was such an amazing compilation of flavours! All kinds of deliciousness piled on top! Man, I want another one just thinking about the truck
5. Danny Loves The Truck!'s Review:: June 19, 2009
Danny Loves The Truck!'s Rating: 4 Stars
Anyone who's done serious eating in and around Montreal's food areas knows that the well-heeled city's food offerings go way beyond your basic Hot Dog on a Stick. Check out this movable feast
6. Dan Ng's Review:: June 15, 2009
Dan Ng's Rating: 4 Stars
For lobster lovers...
The weather was there to enjoy that new spot!!! I like it a lot actually...nice location, great concept and most of all good food! Good and friendly service with a smile! Good job guys! Go discover...it will make you appreciate the old port event more:)
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