Best Food Truck Cities in America (& the Best Food Truck in Each City) in 2023
Food trucks are all about new concepts, cuisines, and cultures. Keep reading to learn more about the 15 best food trucks in America, and the best food truck in each city.
Tessa ZuluagaAuthor
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| BUILT FOR RESTAURANTSIn recent years, food trucks have become a popular feature of the American culinary landscape. These mobile kitchens offer a delicious and often affordable alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants. They serve up a diverse range of cuisines and flavors that reflect the unique cultural identities of their respective cities.
In this article, we'll explore the 15 best food truck cities in America and highlight the standout food truck in each one. Whether you're a die-hard foodie or just looking for a quick and tasty bite, these food trucks are sure to satisfy your appetite. So buckle up and get ready to hit the road for a delicious culinary adventure!
Portland, OR - Yoshi’s Sushi
Austin, TX - The Vegan Nom
Seattle, WA - Off the Rez
Orlando, FL - Cholo Dogs
San Francisco, CA - Curry Up Now
Nashville, TN - The Grilled Cheeserie
Los Angeles, CA - Mariscos Jalisco
Denver, CO - Ninja Ramen Mobile
San Antonio, TX - Carnitas Don Raúl
Charlotte, NC - What the Fries
Phoenix, AZ - Aioli’s Gourmet Burger
Charleston, SC - Roti Rolls
Miami, FL - Caja Caliente
Providence, RI - Hometown Poké
Salt Lake City, UT - Papito Moe’s
Portland, OR - Yoshi’s Sushi
Portland is one of the greatest destinations to try new food trucks. The city has a vibrant food scene with a wide variety of cuisines represented, and food trucks and carts have become a significant part of that community.
Yoshi’s Sushi was started by Chef Yoshi, a second-generation sushi chef with experience behind notable sushi bars. His menu features nigiri and sashimi as well as specialty rolls like their Lime Green roll – which features sesame-crusted spinach and micro green salad. You can visit Yoshi’s Sushi at the Multnomah Village French Quarter on SW Multnomah Blvd.
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Austin, TX - The Vegan Nom
Austin has a lot to offer whether you’re looking to visit or settle down – including a diverse range of food trucks offering everything from classic street tacos and barbecue, to more eclectic and innovative dishes.
If you’re looking for Austin’s best vegan tacos…you found them! The Vegan Nom was started as their owner, a new vegan at the time, was searching for a great taco. His search was unsuccessful and so he started making his own tacos to share with friends. In 2012, he branched out to the food truck business inside a 7x12 food trailer on North Loop. Today, he operates out of an upgraded truck at Vegan Nom Food Park.
Check out the Vegan Nom to indulge in grilled avocado tacos, bomb nachos, and much more!
Seattle, WA - Off the Rez
Seattle is best known for its seafood, coffee, craft beer, and Asian cuisine. And, their food truck scene is only growing.
Food trucks are all about new concepts, cuisines, and cultures. Off the Rez is Seattle’s first Native restaurant/food truck, and it’s definitely worth a visit. This food truck’s menu features tacos served on handmade frybread, burgers, salads, and sweet frybread desserts. This truck’s location and operating hours vary, so check out their website to find them.
Orlando, FL - Cholo Dogs
Orlando has a growing food truck scene and is becoming a popular destination for foodies. You can find incredible Cuban cuisine, seafood, Latin American cuisine, and much more.
People say to do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. This saying most certainly applies to Franco Furtero, owner of Cholo Dogs. Furtero started this Mexican hot dog business to feed his family, but also loves serving the people of Orlando.
Check out Cholo Dogs for irresistible hot dogs such as LA PELIRROJA: Nathan's hot dog, crema, avocado sauce, cotija cheese, red onions, and topped with tajin. We’ll take one!
San Francisco, CA - Curry Up Now
San Francisco has a thriving food truck scene with many popular food truck events throughout the year. The city is known for its diverse range of culinary offerings, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients and innovative cuisine.
Curry Up Now is an absolute San Francisco food scene staple. Curry Up Now’s menu features Indian street food favorites, bowls, naan, and so much more. They have a variety of both food trucks and brick-and-mortar locations. Try some of their “sexy fries” (aka Indian-inspired poutine) – you won’t regret it.
Nashville, TN - The Grilled Cheeserie
Nashville is known for its hot chicken, barbecue, and biscuits, with a focus on Southern comfort food and cutting-edge cuisine.
Many of us grew up eating grilled cheeses as children, and the taste reminds us of home. However, The Grilled Cheeserie takes this nostalgic taste a step further with menu options like the pizza melt and quesabirria melt. At The Grilled Cheeserie you can pair your favorite grilled cheese melt with tomato soup, pimento mac and cheese, and much more.
Los Angeles, CA - Mariscos Jalisco
Chances are if you can make it in Los Angeles, you have a really good product. LA has a competitive food scene with all different types of cuisine, from Mexican to Japanese and everything in between.
Mariscos Jalisco’s menu is filled with different seafood dishes such as tostada poseidon (a tostada with shrimp ceviche, octopus, and aguachile), shrimp tacos, and oysters peinados (fresh oysters topped with onion, tomato, and cilantro, topped with pieces of shrimp and octopus). So, if you’re looking for a dish that’s both flavor-packed and fresh, check out Mariscos Jalisco’s.
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Denver, CO - Ninja Ramen Mobile
Denver is a popular city for its green chile sauce, craft beer, and rocky mountain oysters. And, with plenty of space, Denver is a great city for food truck events.
Ninja Ramen Mobile’s menu changes each week based on local ingredients availability, seasonality, and what the chef feels like cooking up for his customers. However, the menu always features types of dumplings and rice. Satisfy your gyoza fix and try Ninja Ramen Mobile today.
San Antonio, TX - Carnitas Don Raúl
San Antonio is an up-and-coming city with a diverse, and delicious food scene filled with Tex-Mex cuisine, barbecue, and margaritas. And, the food truck scene is just as up-and-coming!
Carnitas Don Raúl is a family-owned business straight out of the birthplace of carnitas, Morelia Michoacán. This mouth-watering menu is made up of carnitas tacos, tortas, and quesadillas. If you want the greatest carnitas meal of your life, Carnitas Don Raúl is the place to be.
Charlotte, NC - What the Fries
Charlotte is a growing city with plenty of food industry opportunities. Some popular food trucks in the city feature barbeque, fried chicken, craft beer, and more.
What the Fries serves elevated loaded fries and other savory meals such as sandwiches and mac and cheese. You haven’t had tasty fries until you’ve tried this truck’s hibachi, mac & cheese, or flaming hot fries. Check out this juicy photo of their mac and cheese fries. Warning: you may start salivating!
Phoenix, AZ - Aioli’s Gourmet Burger
Phoenix is the 14th fastest-growing city in the United States, and as the city grows so does its food scene. Phoenix is best known for its Mexican, Southwestern, and farm-to-table cuisine.
Aioli’s Gourmet Burger had a crazy good burger food truck menu, featuring The New Mexico (cheddar, hatch green chili, and green chili aioli) and the white truffle swiss (roasted mushrooms, swiss, caramelized onions, and white truffle aioli). A little bit of aioli makes everything a little bit better!
Charleston, SC - Roti Rolls
Charleston is home to one of the United State’s most vibrant food scenes. This city cooks up some delicious Lowcountry cuisine and seafood, and serves it all with refreshing sweet tea.
If you’re looking for farm-to-truck staples you must check out Roti Rolls. You can find locations both in Charleston and Atlanta. Roti Rolls buys only fresh, local ingredients from farmers in the area, and their menu changes based on the ingredients in season. Check them out – they’re masters of serving the tastiest creations.
Miami, FL - Caja Caliente
Miami is a bright, diverse city with endless amounts of delicious foods and drinks. This city is filled with everything from Cuban Cuisine to Latin America to Japanese. Miami loves fresh, bold flavors and ingredients, and this is reflected in its booming food truck scene.
Awarded by Miami Herald as the best tacos in Florida, Caja Caliente is a great place to grab some delicious Cuban-inspired tacos. This woman-led business has both a food truck and a brick-and-mortar location for you to visit. Try their tamal Cubano made with a homemade corn tamale or any of their amazing tacos. For more beautiful foodie pictures check out their Instagram here.
Providence, RI - Hometown Poké
Providence is a great city for foodies and offers a variety of culinary experiences, from fresh seafood and Italian cuisine, to innovative food trucks and sweet treats like coffee milk and doughnuts.
Hometown Poké brought the delicious taste of poké to Rhode Island, where it wasn’t available yet. Their mobile menu features lots of tasty bowls like the hometown classic, made up of ahi tuna, Atlantic salmon, hometown Hawaiian sauce, cucumber, onion, crab, seaweed salad, furikake, and wonton crunch. Yes, please!
Salt Lake City, UT - Papito Moe’s
Last but certainly not least, we have Salt Lake City. The food scene in Salt Lake City is diverse, with a range of options for all tastes and preferences. Whether you're looking for a food truck with a specific cuisine or farm-to-table dining, you're sure to find something delicious in SLC.
Established in 2015, Papito Moe’s is a Puerto Rican American kitchen. They offer authentic Puerto Rican street food and great service. Check them out today for empanadillas, grub bowls, and much more!
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From coast to coast, the United States is home to a vibrant and ever-evolving food truck culture. With so many cities and cuisines to explore, it's no wonder that foodies from all over are drawn to these mobile kitchens. We've highlighted 15 of the best food truck cities in America and the standout food truck in each one, but there are countless other delicious discoveries waiting to be made.
So whether you're planning a road trip or simply looking to spice up your lunch routine, be sure to keep an eye out for these culinary gems on wheels. Who knows, you may just find your new favorite lunch on a street corner near you.
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