As of 2023, there were more than 32,176 food trucks in operation. That’s approximately one food truck for every 37 people.
Food trucks have become a culinary phenomenon in the United States over the last 20 years. These restaurants-on-wheels often serve a wide range of delicious and culturally diverse offerings, typically with a unique twist.
Whether you’re craving a gourmet burger, some flavorful street tacos, a unique spin on ethnic cuisine, or a sweet treat, food trucks offer culinary creativity that is harder to come by in most brick-and-mortar restaurants.
There are so many options to choose from, but don’t worry about picking the wrong ones. Here are the 10 best food trucks in America.
Fair warning — you will get hungry!
1. Kogi BBQ (Los Angeles, California)
Food truck movement pioneer Chef Roy Choi opened Kogi BBQ in 2008, and its unique fusion of Korean and Mexican cuisines quickly found its footing. This food truck offers innovative, collaborative cuisine like Korean BBQ tacos, burritos, and sliders.
Combining marinated meats with kimchi and flavorful sauces has garnered Kogi a cult following. The brand’s commitment to quality ingredients and bold flavors makes Kogi BBQ an unskippable Los Angeles lunch.
2. The Halal Guys (New York City, New York)
The Halal Guys, once little more than a humble hot dog cart, has become a global sensation. With a simple menu, hungry guests can choose from chicken, beef, or falafel served over rice with pita and a generous drizzle of their famous white sauce. The Halal Guys’ flavorful and affordable offerings have captured the attention and hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide.
3. Franklin Barbecue (Austin, Texas)
Franklin Barbecue is less like a casual food truck and more like a barbecue institution on wheels. Aaron Franklin’s legendary melt-in-your-mouth brisket boasts a bold, smoky flavor that provokes people to line up for hours to savor their classic, mouthwatering flavors.
4. Lobsta Truck (Los Angeles, California)
Lobsta Truck in Los Angeles lures seafood lovers all over L.A. Lobsta Truck serves fresh, succulent lobster in many ways, from traditional lobster rolls to lobster mac ‘n’ cheese. The shellfish-slinging staple serves guests in true West Coast fashion, focusing on finding the highest-quality, sustainably sourced lobster.
5. Paseo (Seattle, Washington)
Seattle’s Paseo offers Caribbean-inspired sandwiches that leave locals and tourists hungry for more. Their signature sandwich, the Caribbean Roast, is stacked with marinated, slow-roasted pork and caramelized onions, all stuffed into a soft baguette. Their dedication to quality ingredients shines through every bite from this iconic Pacific Northwest institution.
6. Big Gay Ice Cream (New York City, New York)
Anyone familiar with the Big Apple is familiar with Big Gay Ice Cream’s colorful and quirky food truck. The truck takes ice cream to the next level by elevating timeless treats like soft-serve ice cream with imaginative toppings like olive oil and sea salt, key lime curd, and wasabi pea dust. The brand’s playful spirit and premier product quality put Big Gay Ice Cream ahead of the pack.
7. Marination Mobile (Seattle, Washington)
Marination Mobile’s Hawaiian-Korean fusion is all about good food and the aloha vibes. The beloved fixture in Seattle’s food truck scene boasts a menu of tantalizing tacos, sliders, and signature kimchi rice bowls. Their Aloha sliders, packed with Kalua pork and grilled pineapple, remain a favorite among regulars.
8. Gourdough’s (Austin, Texas)
Out-of-towners trekking to Texas have to swing by Gourdough’s. The massive, indulgent doughnuts, often topped with outrageous ingredients like bacon, cream cheese, or fried chicken, have made Gourdough’s a guilty pleasure for many in the Lone Star State.
9. Waffle House Food Truck (Various Locations)
The Waffle House Food Truck brings the beloved breakfast brand to numerous stateside locations. Known for their crispy waffles, smothered hash browns, and hearty all-American breakfast dishes, the Waffle House Food Truck brings Southern comfort anywhere.
10. Taceaux Loceaux (New Orleans, Louisiana)
With a delectable fusion of Mexican and Creole flavors, Taceaux Loceaux brings a taste of New Orleans to the streets. This unique and highly creative menu features mouthwatering tacos, with inventive options such as Cochon de Lait and Korean beef bulgogi tacos.
Wide ranges of culturally diverse, flavorful, and expertly crafted dishes have made food trucks a mainstay in the American culinary landscape. This stacked list of America’s best food trucks represents mobile culinary excellence, showcasing the creativity, diversity, and innovation that define the food truck culture. From Korean-Mexican fusion to lobster rolls to indulgent doughnuts, these food trucks offer a world of flavors anywhere.
