The Sli City Grill restaurant at Tla’amin Nation is expanding into a food truck that will serve Indigenous-caught seafood to Powell River.

The mobile grill is now open, serving a seafood-heavy menu that includes halibut burgers, prawn po’boys and elk burgers.

The food truck is an expansion from the Sli City Grill’s current operation at the Tla’amin Convenience Store.

Erik Blaney stands by the new food truck. Photo by Cara McKenna

Sli City Grill owner and Tla’amin member Erik Blaney said the mobile grill is a partnership with the Coast Salish-owned fishery company Salish Seas.

“Salish Seas is a company that’s owned by Tla’amin, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam,” he said during an interview in early May. “They went three ways on a fishing boat, and that fishing boat now fishes tuna, halibut, cod and prawns. We’re going to get access to that fish.”

Blaney said that they’ve also hired two Indigenous chefs, who have also been stepping up the menu at the convenience store location.

“The menus are going to be similar, but we’re mostly focusing on seafood in the truck,” he said.

A grand opening for the truck was held in mid-May, and the truck is expected to operate in the Westview area of Powell River this summer as well as taking on event and catering requests.

More information on the menu and locations of the truck can be found at www.slicitygrill.com.