The Diner (Alpha on Wheels)

Absolutely delicious and a very refreshing take on the humble burger.

After a fantastic evening student performance at the Playhouse, "The Diner" was just perfect fare for a hungry theatregoer.

My burger was cooked to my liking ("blue"), without any quibbles which is I admit very rare (pun intended!), tasty and the salad which went with it was crunchy, fresh and full of flavours.

For once I actually felt sated and yet healthy which after a burger is a bit of a surprise.

Feeling virtuous is not a bonus I associate with eating out of take-out vans yet "The Diner" more than lived up to my high expectations. The beef was full of flavour and I think this might just give "Pepper's" a run for its money - though they do offer completely different types of burgers.

Pamplemousse (Unverified), 09/11/08

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This van is a breath of fresh (tasty) air. Two suave brazilian gentleman serving you delicious feasts-in-a-box from 7pm onwards. Chicken Caesar sandwiches, burgers made from cows they knew personally, lovely silky guacamole... and various wholesome cheese/risotte/tofu options for those who like them. A delight.

Moose Malloy (Unverified), 28/10/08

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Vegans Go Clubbing Too! As a vegetarian of 8 years (that is, far before my clubbing days), the kebab van has never featured that heavily in my night out experience. I often wonder whether I'm missing out...until I see the delights on offer: greasy lumps of meat with even greasier chips? Perhaps I'll pass, thank you.

That is, until the new 'Alpha on Wheels' came on to the scene. As the name suggests the idea was cooked up by the same mind that has brought Oxford the Alpha Bar, the Vaults and Garden Café and the Woodstock Deli. These stalwarts of the Oxford organic scene are favourites with students and it was students that Will Pouget, the owner of this culinary collective, says prompted the idea for this better-for-you burger van.

Situated just by the Taylorian institute on St. Giles, the punchy smells of the black-bean Mayan burger and steak sandwiches compete with those of the perhaps less wholesome fare of neighbouring stalls. The van itself is covered in chrome but this sci-fi exterior hides the grass-roots, homestyle cooking going on within. A smiling face, beaming with pride, hands me a recycled-brown-box-like-what-Alpha-bar-has filled with lentil and pumpkin dahl, fresh salad and artisan bread. £3? Bargain.

Will's unique kebab van idea has already generated a lot of interest, not only from hungry students, but from the Telegraph and even BBC One, riding on the wave of seasonal and organic cooking that is currently flooding the TV schedules. It has not all been easy sailing for this trend-setting stall - pitches getting fought over, staff shortages, even the angle of the van was at one point such that everytime you opened the fridge all the chocolate bars fell out!

This Jamie Oliver of St. Giles has hopefully started a trend in fast and fresh food. Who knows? Maybe we'll see the aromatic landscape of late-night Oxford changing - from chips to chillis, grease to granary; perhaps, even better -  from polysterene to paper! As with all eateries though, the test is in the tasting - go buy and try: you won't be disappointed.

Ash Bond (Unverified), 27/10/08

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