Vroom vroom! Hear that? It’s the sound of deliciousness on wheels!
The food truck revolution is in full swing, and we’re here to guide you through the most mouthwatering mobile marvels our major cities have to offer.
Get ready to discover hidden gems, innovative dishes, and enough foodie inspiration to fuel your Instagram for weeks! From coast to coast, we’ve tracked down 20 food trucks worth stalking… err, following!
1. Cousins Maine Lobster (Los Angeles)
Once featured on Shark Tank, this seafood sensation brings authentic Maine lobster rolls to sunny LA streets. The fresh-caught lobster is shipped directly from Maine waters.
Lines form quickly when they park, so check their social media for location updates. Their buttery Connecticut-style roll remains the crowd favorite.
2. The Halal Guys (New York City)
Starting as a humble hot dog cart in 1990, The Halal Guys transformed into NYC’s most famous street food phenomenon. Their chicken and gyro platters with secret white sauce create block-long lines.
What began as a quick meal option for Muslim cab drivers has become an international sensation with locations worldwide.
3. Seoul Taco (St. Louis)
Korean and Mexican flavors collide deliciously at this fusion pioneer. Their bulgogi-stuffed burritos and kimchi-loaded tacos create flavor explosions that keep fans coming back.
Founded by a Korean-American who wanted to share his grandmother’s recipes, Seoul Taco has grown from a single truck to multiple brick-and-mortar locations across the Midwest.
4. Ms. Cheezious (Miami)
Grilled cheese gets a gourmet makeover at this bright blue Miami favorite. Beyond classic cheddar, they offer creations like short rib melt and s’mores dessert sandwiches.
Their vintage-inspired truck features a pinup girl logo that’s become iconic in Miami’s food scene. The truck launched their now-popular restaurant locations.
5. The Grilled Cheeserie (Nashville)
Nashville’s beloved melt shop on wheels serves up Southern-inspired grilled cheese sandwiches that elevate comfort food to art form. Local ingredients shine in creations like the pimento mac and cheese melt.
Husband-and-wife team Joseph and Crystal were inspired by childhood memories of grilled cheese on rainy days. Their truck has won multiple local food awards.
6. Chi’Lantro BBQ (Austin)
Famous for inventing kimchi fries, Chi’Lantro blends Korean and Texan flavors into crave-worthy street food. Their signature fries come loaded with caramelized kimchi, spicy mayo, and your choice of protein.
Founder Jae Kim started with just $30,000 and a single truck. Today, Chi’Lantro operates multiple restaurants throughout Austin while still maintaining their food truck roots.
7. Baby’s Badass Burgers (Los Angeles)
Hot pink trucks staffed by ‘burger babes’ serve up half-pound gourmet burgers with playful names like ‘The Cougar’ and ‘She’s Smokin’!’ Founded by restaurateur Erica Cohen, these burgers pack serious flavor despite the cheeky presentation.
Each patty is made from premium Angus beef and comes with unique topping combinations. Their secret sauce recipe remains closely guarded.
8. The Chairman (San Francisco)
Steamed bao buns filled with modern Asian flavors make The Chairman a San Francisco institution. Their tender-braised pork belly with turmeric pickled daikon and Coca-Cola braised pork are legendary.
Originally called ‘Chairman Bao’ until a lawsuit from restaurateur Eddie Huang, they’ve maintained their quality despite the name change. Weekend lines often stretch around the block.
9. Roti Rolls (Charleston)
Farm-to-truck Indian fusion wraps up Southern ingredients in flaky paratha bread. The ‘Thurman Murman’ with braised short ribs, kimchi, and farm egg represents their creative approach to street food.
Sourcing from local farms, their ever-changing menu reflects seasonal availability. They’ve won ‘Best Food Truck in Charleston’ four years running while maintaining strong sustainability practices.
10. Kogi BBQ (Los Angeles)
The truck that started a revolution, Kogi introduced Korean-Mexican fusion to the masses under chef Roy Choi’s guidance. Their short rib tacos with sesame-chili salsa sparked the modern food truck movement in 2008.
Kogi pioneered using Twitter to announce locations, creating a treasure hunt atmosphere. Their fleet has grown to five trucks serving different LA neighborhoods daily.
11. Komodo (Los Angeles)
Asian fusion tacos and burritos with unexpected ingredients like truffle fries make Komodo a standout in LA’s crowded food scene. Their signature Komodo 2.0 taco combines top sirloin, jalapeño aioli, and Southwest corn salad.
Started by two friends with culinary school training, Komodo expanded from a single truck to multiple restaurant locations while maintaining their innovative street food spirit.
12. Frying Dutchman (Chicago)
Amsterdam-style frites served in paper cones with dozens of dipping sauce options bring European street food to Chicago’s neighborhoods. Double-fried to perfection, these crispy potatoes develop a golden exterior while remaining fluffy inside.
Owner Dirk Van Nieuwenhuyzen uses his grandmother’s traditional Dutch recipe. Their most popular sauce combines truffle oil, garlic, and herbs.
13. Waffle Love (Phoenix)
Belgian liège waffles with pearl sugar crystals caramelized into every bite make this bright red truck a Phoenix favorite. Sweet and savory options range from Nutella-banana to fried chicken and bacon.
Founder Adam Terry learned waffle-making during his mission trip to Belgium. Featured on Food Network’s ‘The Great Food Truck Race,’ they’ve expanded to multiple southwestern cities.
14. Red Hook Lobster Pound (Washington D.C.)
Maine- and Connecticut-style lobster rolls bring northeastern seafood traditions to the capital’s streets. Each roll contains a quarter-pound of claw and knuckle meat from lobsters caught within 24 hours of serving.
Their signature red truck with lobster logo is easily spotted. Founder Susan Povich (daughter-in-law of talk show host Maury Povich) sources directly from Maine lobstermen.
15. Tacofino (Vancouver)
Baja-inspired fish tacos with tempura-battered cod and lime crema draw crowds to this orange truck even in Vancouver’s rainy weather. Their fish taco recipe originated in the surf town of Tofino on Vancouver Island.
Founders Jason and Kaeli were inspired by Mexico’s beach food culture. Their Diablo cookie with chocolate and cayenne has developed its own cult following among dessert lovers.
16. The Fat Shallot (Chicago)
Gourmet sandwiches with unexpected flavor combinations elevate lunch breaks for Chicago’s downtown workers. Their truffle BLT with avocado and truffle aioli transforms a classic into something extraordinary.
Husband-and-wife team Sam and Sarah Weitz met in culinary school. Their vintage Airstream trailer turned food truck has become a Chicago landmark, now complemented by brick-and-mortar locations.
17. Mama Jo’s Breakfast Cart (Portland)
Homestyle breakfast burritos wrapped in handmade tortillas fuel Portland’s morning commuters rain or shine. Owner Joanna Wilson rises at 3 AM daily to prepare her famous green chile sauce from a recipe passed down three generations.
Her simple cart with hand-painted sign has occupied the same downtown corner for 15 years. Regulars know to arrive early before she sells out by 10 AM.
18. Fojol Bros (Washington D.C.)
Ethiopian and Indian curries served from a whimsical, carnival-inspired truck create a unique dining experience in D.C. Their butter chicken and misir wat (spiced red lentils) come with injera bread for traditional eating.
The colorfully painted truck features staff in fake mustaches and turbans. Despite controversy over cultural appropriation, their authentic recipes and charitable giving maintain a loyal following.
19. Skillet Street Food (Seattle)
Housed in a vintage Airstream, Skillet pioneered gourmet comfort food in Seattle’s food truck scene. Their bacon jam-topped burger became so popular they now sell the spread nationwide in jars. Chef Josh Henderson started with one trailer in 2007.
The truck’s success led to multiple restaurants while maintaining their street food roots with seasonal ingredients from Pacific Northwest farms.
20. Yankee Doodle Dandy’s (New York City)
All-American classics with patriotic flair serve up nostalgia on wheels throughout NYC neighborhoods. Their Coney Island hot dogs and Philadelphia cheesesteaks represent regional favorites from across the country.
The red, white, and blue truck plays classic American rock while serving. Owner Brandon Smith donates a portion of profits to veterans’ organizations and employs former military personnel whenever possible.