Whether it's their multi-coloured burger buns or audacious flavour combinations that catch your eye, you'll likely find it very hard to scroll past Gallus Street Food's posts on social media.
The team behind the business, owner Andy Johnstone and head chef Steven Gallacher, say that there’s more method to the madness than you might think.
Andy said: “We started Gallus Street Food in December last year. I don’t have a background in food, but I had this clear idea of what I wanted the place to be, so when a shop came up in Yoker I took it on without having a team.
“Looking back was a bold move, but I knew Steven was a great chef so I lured him in by asking if he would help me develop a menu, sold him the dream and he’s been here ever since.
A chef of 15 years, Steven was quick to take on the role which allowed him to explore his own vision for Gallus Street Food he said:
“Before this, I’d always worked for other people and not been able to be as creative as I wanted to be.
“So, when Andy approached me and said I could have free reign as long as the food was good I was happy to join the team.
“From the very start, we said we wanted it to be about enjoying the experience rather than getting caught up in the business side of things.
“We don’t feel like there should just be one person who comes up with the menu, everyone has a wee bit of input and we have fun with it which is really important to us.”
The result of the duo’s laid back attitude is a weird and wonderful menu full of specials like a 'Sunday dinner pizza’, inspired by one team members hangover cravings or a bright blue and googly-eyed ‘cookie monster ice cream piece’.
These over the top creations might have you fooled into thinking that Gallus Street Food is more style than substance or in danger of falling into social media ‘stunt food’ territory, but this is far from the truth.
Andy said: “The vibrancy and the colours are just a product of everyone’s personality. We’ve got some right characters in the team so it comes naturally to us.
“Instagram has been a great tool for us to showcase our food but for us, the visual aspect of it is only one part of what we do.
“If something doesn’t taste good it won’t get put on the menu, even if it looks amazing.
“The flavour and the aesthetics are just as important as each other and I think that’s why a lot of people are getting into us now.
"They know that they’re going to get a fresh and great tasting meal as well as something they can show off on social media.”
Just as bright and colourful as their burgers, the Gallus Street food unit can be found on Dumbarton road in Yoker, a location that Steven and Andy say helps to keep them inspired in their work.
Steven said: “ I grew up in the area and it felt like there wasn’t really much there
“We wanted to set up a takeaway that sold decent food made from scratch rather than just flung into a fryer.
“That was the joke when we first started, people were looking at the menu and saying ‘You’ll never sell bao buns in Yoker!’ but now they fly out the door.
“We do things that people won’t get anywhere else but think a lot of people haven’t come across us yet because no one is paying attention to the food scene in Yoker. They’re still just looking at Shawlands or Dennistoun.”
Andy and Steven’s drive to showcase different styles of dishes from all over the world comes mostly from their love of street food.
Andy said: “That’s kind of what the whole idea is about, there are very few places where you can go and get a taste of everything.
“Places like The Big Feed Markets and The Dockyard Social play a big part in what we do because I used to go there and liked that I could get whatever I wanted, whether that was tacos or a burger.
“I started to think it would be really good if we could do all of that under one roof and then just add this element of madness to it.”
“We like to look for inspiration from all over the world and keep an eye on what’s popping up in South America, Delhi or Mexico”
Steven added: “There are so many culinary influences from all over the world in our menu which is what we’re trying to bring to Yoker.”
After only eight short months in business, the team at Gallus Street Food show no signs of slowing down, with two other pub residencies in Cambuslang and Clydebank as well as plans to create an outdoor seating area beside their takeaway unit.
Steven said: “It’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. To have gone from starting out in December to going to the Scottish Street Food Awards last month it’s been such a journey for us.
“It’s been amazing, but think it’s fair to say we’re due a holiday now.”
To see more from Gallus Street Food, find their Instagram here.
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