A food van with a long history in the northern suburbs now calls Werribee home.
Tony’s Highway Takeaway set up shop along Railway Avenue more than two months ago, selling coffee, burgers, hot dogs, jam donuts and other hot food.
Tony Laro, the man behind the business, has spent most of his working life on food vans, starting his first stationary version at the tender age of 11.
Tony’s Highway Takeaway spent 15 years stationed at a roadside truck stop on the Hume Highway near Wallan but was pushed off the site four years ago after McDonald’s and a BP service station set up at the rest stop.
Despite mounting an $85,000 legal battle to stay put, and challenging Mitchell council with a 10,000-signature petition, Mr Laro was forced to pack up and move on.
The Craigieburn resident chose to relocate the business to Werribee, to work alongside his brother, who then lived at Hoppers Crossing.
But their best laid plans couldn’t anticipate his brother’s illness and subsequent death 10 months ago, which left Mr Laro to run the business on his own.
“I thought this would be a good place for people to pull up and get food without interfering with other cars.”
Mr Laro said he was amused by the rising popularity of food vans.
“I believe a lot of people think they’re going to make it overnight then try to cut quality,” he said.
“I enjoy it – it keeps my mind active.”
