The Glace Bay Chip Wagon has been a summertime staple on Cape Breton Island for seven decades. The historic Wagon has been operating for 74 years, 70 of which have been in Glace Bay, NS. Still serving the original menu: 100% hand cut homemade French fries, steamed hot dogs, and ice cold pop. The 1942 General Motors Truck was built during WWII to serve food on the streets of Montreal. The truck wor
ked the city from 1942-1946 until a bylaw prohibited food trucks. This prohibition lasted for over 65 years, and was only recently lifted in 2013. Luckily for Cape Breton, the original owners, Mike and Rosie Minchoff were informed of a prosperous industrial town named Glace Bay. The couple set their sights on Cape Breton Island. The Chip Wagon was shipped from Montreal to Sydney by rail in 1946. The Minchoffs jumped into the Wagon in Sydney and travelled the remainder of their journey to Glace Bay. Once in Glace Bay the couple immediately began to peel and cut potatoes to be sold as fries that very same day. The Minchoffs set up shop on Commercial Street next to the Russell Theatre where they would operate the Wagon until 1980. However, the Chip Wagon could also be seen in Albert Bridge on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s. In 1980 Weston Macdonald bought and operated the Chip Wagon for 3 years. It was then passed to his brother who worked the Wagon until 1987. During this time the Wagon was supervised and maintained by their father Ed MacDonald. In June of 1987 the current owners Mike and Marielle Yorke purchased the Chip Wagon. The Yorkes operated the Chip Wagon on the Commercial Street site for only one year before relocating to Campbells corner at the intersection of Commercial, Water, South, and Brookside Street of Glace Bay. Throughout the years, the Glace Bay Chip Wagon has been the source of many artists’ inspiration. The likeness of the original Chip Wagon has been sketched, drawn, painted and photographed by professional and novice artists alike. It appears in many homes and offices in Glace Bay, Canada, and throughout the world. The Wagon has also made cameo appearances in locally shot films, most notably the "New Waterford Girl". The 1999 film stars Liane Balaban, Tara Spencer-Nairn, Nicholas Campbell and Mary Walsh. Look for the Chip Wagon during the big boxing match. You will even see Mike Yorke serving up the fries! This historic icon is believed to be the oldest existing and operating food truck in North America.
