Ping's Pie Cart was only a small caravan but it was a huge part of New Plymouth's night life for over 25 years.

The cart, which stood on a vacant lot next to the Army Stores on Ariki Street, dished up variations of pies, steak, eggs and chips every night from the 1950s until the security shutter banged down for the last time in 1975.

Ping's often stayed open until dawn and its colourful Chinese owner, Ping Choy Leong, was the most popular man in town after midnight as revellers flocked to be served. Ping was succeeded behind the deep fryer by his nephew, Henry Leong, and his niece, Daisy Lee, but standards never slipped.

Legend has it that the food was so good the hungry souls regularly used to send an empty taxi to pick up an order on the strength of his fried sandwiches alone.

Information and images from the Puke Ariki collection may not be reproduced, transmitted or copied without permission except for the purposes of private study and research, criticism and review, or education consistent with the New Zealand Copyright Act 1994. Please contact the Puke Ariki Image Service for any further permissions.