courtesy of 1776 Cheesesteaks
Austin may not be known for our cheesesteaks, but this Buzz Mill-parked favorite has people pondering the question – with whiz or without? Their hearty East Coast-inspired menu is stuffed so full of meat you might need a fork, but they also offer a vegan option, falling perfectly in line with the other on-site trucks.
1516 Tinnin Ford Rd.
www.instagram.com/1776cheesesteakco
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Scratch-made pasta is what dreams are made of, and we share this Italian food truck’s obsession. Bring wine to complete your picnic of tagliatelle and gnocchi with a pal, or take it to go and you’ll have enough grub to last through all 17 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy
7800 S. First
512/228-7489
www.artipasta.com
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Photo by Jana Birchum
photo by Jackie Klusmeyer
Throw a rock and you’ll hit a taco in this town, but not everybody can boast cauliflower chorizo, mole amarillo hongos tacos, and a chile morita brisket quesadilla, now can they? Did we mention house tortillas?
88 1/2 Rainey
asadortacos.com
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Elevated vegan cuisine might not be the kind of fare you’d expect from a food truck, but chef Craig Vanis knows his way around the (tiny) kitchen, and his loyal fanbase can’t get enough of those rock star kolaches and gluten-free mac & cheese. The only question we’re asking now: “When are you opening that brick-and-mortar, Craig?”
701 E. 53rd
512/579-9854
www.bistrovonish.com
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photo by David Brendan Hall
It’s painfully easy to dine out. It’s hard to feel good about it. Thankfully, this Vietnamese vegan food truck – owned and operated by a collective of Buddhist nuns and volunteers who use homegrown vegetables to brighten up their delicious, nutritious, and mind-bogglingly cheap bánh mì, bao, and vermicelli – is good for you and the world.
2301 W. Parmer Lane
512/696-1807
www.bodhivietveggies.com/menu.html
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We’re convinced that chef/owner Prabhakar Reddy might be a wizard, and if you taste his centuries-deep flavors of Northern Indian fare, zhuzhed up with modern flare, like tawa jalapeño cheese roti, veg korma, and beast mode samosas, you’ll understand.
1207 S. First
737/247-4323
www.bombaydhabaaustin.com
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courtesy of Bombay Dhaba
John Anderson
Those priced out of the extravagance of Brazilian rodízio buffets (or simply with more forgiving tendencies toward indulgence/masochism) can explore the country’s street food offerings at this vibrant food truck – and with the blessings of Guy Fieri! Their claim to fame is picanha grelhada (rice bowl with top sirloin), but surprise yourself with the legendary feijoada stew.
1209 E. Sixth
www.botecoatx.com
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Remember when hordes of people lined up for cronuts in New York? Brooklyn native Ryan Rosen has been busy inspiring that same energy level at his “farm-to-trailer” breakfast sandwich shop since 2019, and the weekend crowds still can’t get enough of those monthly fried chicken specials.
7800 S. First
737/229-0808
www.instagram.com/brooklynbreakfastshop
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courtesy of Brooklyn Breakfast Shop
photo by John Anderson
Carmen Rojas and her daughter Andrea Rincones are passionate about bringing their beloved Venezuelan fare – naturally gluten-free arepas, or griddled corn pockets stuffed with a mix of fresh sautéed veggies or proteins like pollo mechado – to the Austin masses. And we are so here for it.
5000 Burnet Rd.
512/923-3079
budaresatx.com
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If you and your beer-drinking buddies wind up at Southern Heights Brewing (or at the Arbor Food Park), make sure you come with an appetite for one of Vernetta Weston’s juicy mushroom Swiss burgers or a barbecue Harold burger and those jalapeño fries. IYKYK, you know? There’s even a vegan option, you lucky, ethical ducks.
6014 Techni Center Dr.
281/660-4109
www.burgerliciousatx.com
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photo by David Brendan Hall
courtesy of Burro Cheese Kitchen
Take the most comforting of comfort foods, make them artisanal and small-batch, add all the ingredients Austinites love, and boom! Burro grilled cheese. Of course the cheese is top-shelf with the likes of Gouda, havarti, and aged cheddar, but add-ons like brisket and balsamic apricot fig sauce seal the deal.
80 Rainey Street
512/767-2810
www.burrocheesekitchen.com
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In a small orange truck, chef Hong (brother of Julie of Julie’s Noodles) is serving authentic Northern Chinese hand-pulled noodles and handmade dumplings. We’re big fans of his award-winning Chinese hamburger (roujiamo), especially with a side of liangpi. Pro tip: Order extra chile oil to take home and drizzle on everything.
907 W. 24th St.
678/687-1167
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photo by David Brendan Hall
Photo by John Anderson
A little bit of Juárez comes to Austin in Churro Co. through their traditional and eclectic cinnamony, sweet churros – an ancient pastry with Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Roman origins. “Churros tossed in vanilla wafer sugar, topped with homemade orange curd, Nutella sauce, Fruity Pebbles, and whipped cream.” What are you waiting for?
1906 S. First
512/749-2150
www.churrocoaustin.com
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About to celebrate two years of serving suadero y salsa, chef/owner Luis “Beto” Robledo is still showing up in style with his Mexico City-style tacos. It’s a simple menu, but it sells out every night thanks to expert proteins decorated with fresh cilantro and onions and wrapped in fresh corn tortillas from the Colonial Tortilla Factory in San Antonio.
1108 E. 12th
512/903-3918
www.fb.com/cuantostacos512
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courtesy of Cuantos Tacos
courtesy of Da Boot
The legit New Orleans-style po’boys at this truck (currently parked at Radio Coffee) are full of soul. We’re talking bourbon chicken wings, buttery bread, fried shrimp, hella good collard greens, and creamy mac & cheese. Laissez le bon temps rouler, indeed.
4204 Menchaca Rd.
512/413-8722
www.facebook.com/Atasteofdaswamp/
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Fanatics of familiar Thai fare owe it to themselves to visit this spectacular trailer from chef Lakana Sopajan-Trubiana, the not-even-self-proclaimed “Thai Food Queen of Texas.” She serves street food straight from her childhood in Isaan in northeastern Thailand, from som tom Isaan (spicy papaya salad) to laab moo (minced pork with sticky rice).
4204 Menchaca Rd.
www.deedeeatx.com
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photo by John Anderson
photo by Rod Machen
It turns out that spice is the spice of life, and with Distant Relatives we have a new entry on the barbecue scene that knows exactly how to use it. Self-described as “modern African American,” this trailer (currently at Meanwhile Brewing) takes the familiar meats of Texas barbecue and creates a whole new world of delicious flavors.
3901 Promontory Point Dr.
512/717-2504
www.distatantrelativesatx.com
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Serving Neapolitan-style 12-inch pies from an 800-pound wood-fired oven, Dough Boys is a welcome addition to Austin’s slow-ferment pizza scene. They use locally sourced flour from Barton Springs Mill and ferment the dough for 36 hours. Approaching their one-year anniversary, and opening smack dab in the middle of the pandemic, gives them – and us – plenty to celebrate.
3901 Promontory Point Dr.
www.doughboysatx.com
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courtesy of Dough Boys ATX
Photo by Jana Birchum
The son-and-mother team behind Austin’s first Dominican food truck has been blessing our streets and taste buds for nearly five years, and they’ve got new digs to extend the reach of their impeccable empanadas. Red wine-and-oregano-soaked beef picadillo is their claim to fame, but don’t sleep on the restorative powers of ratatouille.
2505 Webberville
www.fb.com/thedoughminican
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Robinson and Alina Figueiredo opened the “first churrasco on wheels in Austin” in 2017, and they’ve been slinging Brazilian-style steak cuts ever since. Try the picanha sandwich – Brazilian cheesesteak – with top sirloin, American cheese, sautéed onions, lettuce, tomato, and homemade spicy mayo served on a hoagie roll with fries.
2512 Rio Grande St.
512/965-3181
espadasdebrazil.com
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courtesy of Espadas de Brazil
Married couple Kevin Truong and Rosie Mina-Truong celebrate their love through a revolutionary marriage of Filipino and Vietnamese cuisines at this pandemic-born food truck. We can’t get enough of their bánh mì with wild mushroom tofu adobo, Vietnamese egg meatloaf, tangy tamarind sinigang wings, Filipino-style citrus ceviche, or Vietnamese iced coffee infused with ube.
1720 E. 12th
281/798-4334
www.filnviet.com
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This biz has been holding down the Venezuelan food fort since 2015 with their stuffed corn cakes and avocado sauce, and we should all say thanks. Are arepas the new tacos?
80 Rainey St.
www.fourbrothersatx.com
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John Anderson
photo by Alisha McDarris
Quirky, colorful, and very frequently covered in edible glitter, it’s hard to resist posting a pic (or 12) of your extremely festive meal to the ’gram. We’ve got several posts about their crispy fried vegan-chicken sandwich topped with a tower of onion rings as tall as the miniature Schnauzer mix we adopted during the pandemic.
900 Red River
msha.ke/happeavegansllc
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Wait, seafood from a truck in the parking lot of a brewery? At Circle Brewing near the Q2 Stadium, to be precise? Yes, because chef Davis Turner’s got the direct Gulf hookup and creates such succulent, sea-sourced wonders (and equally craveable sides) that he’s in demand all over Central Texas.
440 E. St. Elmo
huckleberrytx.com
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photo by John Anderson
It’s still surprising that Austin hasn’t yet joined the hibachi fan club in full force, but with these hearty portions of fried rice peppered with grilled steak, teriyaki chicken, plump shrimp, and fresh charred veggies, plus yum yum sauce … it’s bound to happen soon.
900 E. Cesar Chavez St.
www.instagram.com/jshibachi
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Representing both his El Paso upbringing and Jewish heritage, Mo Pittle’s JewBoy Burgers cuts through the mishigas to elevate each culture’s classics to indulgent heights. Perfectly inspired choices abound, with pastrami-stacked burgers, burritos buffed up by chopped latkes, and hatch green chile studded queso. And oh, those latkes on their own are pretty swell, too.
5111 Airport
512/291-3358
jewboyburgers.com
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photo by John Anderson
photo by John Anderson
You could be at home in your pajamas and not in West Campus at Austin’s first pancake food truck, conceived and operated by former Taco Cabana line cook JP Udenenwu. Instead of sad pita chips, you could be enjoying a chocolate chip pancake topped with fresh bananas, peanut butter, Nutella, honey, and whipped cream. Just sayin’.
2512 Rio Grande St.
512/200-3099
www.jpspancakecompany.com
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Trailblazing chef Nahika Hillery brought ATX its first Haitian food truck, and now she’s a Food Network star after winning Guy’s Grocery Games and sharing wisdom on Taste of Haiti. Although the truck is hard to pin down, it’s part of the rotation at Austin FC’s stadium. Track it on Insta for news on upcoming projects.
805 Stark
512/596-0094
fb.com/caribbeancuisineatx
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Photo by John Anderson
courtesy of Kuway
If you’ve been searching for a hot skillet of bò né (Vietnamese steak and eggs), complete with a bonus hot dog and corn, give this little place a try. Order a Vietnamese coffee or boba tea to wash it down.
1309 W. 45th
512/852-8468
www.kuwayatx.com
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The birria craze is warranted, and La Tunita has been slanging this style of beef taco since late 2019 from a nondescript trailer on Burleson. Consommé for dipping, rich stewed beef in guajillo peppers and spices, and melty beef birria tacos loaded with Monterey Jack cheese. Very rich, very tasty, San Luis Potosi-style. Look for collabs with numerous taqueros around town.
2400 Burleson Rd.
la-tunita-512.square.site
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photo by John Anderson
Now firmly ensconced on the EastSide, LeRoy & Lewis gives Austin one more top-notch craft barbecue joint. Corners are very much not cut here as items like Akaushi brisket and 44 Farms beef cheeks dot the menu. Combined with its new french fry-focused truck Mama Fried, this is a real meat-and-potatoes wonderland.
121 Pickle Rd.
512/945-9882
www.leroyandlewis.com
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Austin’s OG vegan pizza truck has more than just vegans tripping over themselves to get a pie on a Friday night (at either the truck or the new Big Nonna’s brick-and-mortar joint in North Austin). We won’t say it’s just because of the house-made vegan mozzarella and the fan-fave Chik-fil-Ain’t Special, but IYKYK.
440 E. St. Elmo Ste. A-1
512/993-8998
www.lilnonnas.com
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Photo by Jana Birchum
courtesy of Little Lucy's
Inspired by a childhood treat, this trailer serves the Rainey bar crowd well into the wee hours, and the Domain shopping crowd during the daylight. A pink paper bag full of tiny, sugary fried dough bombs sounds like the perfect accompaniment to a night of revelry or an afternoon of pretending to be Pretty Woman.
75 1/2 Rainey St.
424/235-8297
littlelucys.com
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A perfect evening in Austin includes a thick and cheesy Jalisco-style quesa-birria plate with rich consommé, live music, and tasty bevs, all enjoyed al fresco. This Oaxacan food truck at the Far Out Lounge is that destination station.
8504 S. Congress
losdanzantesatx.com
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photo by Edgar Yepez
photo by John Anderson
Having maybe the best crinkle fries in town is kind of a flex when you consider Luke’s Inside Out is right across the street from Shake Shack. Too bad, NYC, because this top-flight sandwich shop not only makes magic happen with meat and bread, but those fried taters are more than legit, too.
1109 S. Lamar
512/589-8883
www.lukesinsideout.com
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If you ever think that a food truck in the side yard of a theatre space off Manor Road can’t become a powerhouse of traditional Italian cuisine, talented chef (and relentless community champion) Nic Patrizi is going to prove you wrong, meal after meal after meal. Secret menu item: the Wop Burger.
2307 Manor Rd.
512/522-4834
www.patrizis.com
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John Anderson
photo by John Anderson
Chef/owner Ramon Sanchez sets his food apart from other Venezuelan spots by specializing in pepitos, or open-faced sandwiches made Barquisimeto-style, Caracas-style hot dogs piled high with toppings, and Venezuelan-style barbecue served as parrilla bowls with homemade barbecue sauce made with Frescolita and rum.
1211 E. Sixth
512/574-2953
www.pepitos512.com/
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With two locations – a stand at Hana Food Market and the truck currently parked at Celis Brewing – you’ve got double the chance to become addicted to their Hawaiian Asian fusion dishes like mochiko fried chicken, char siu braised ribs, and Shanghai lumpia.
10001 Metric Blvd.
512/923-6072
www.saltycargo.com
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courtesy of Salty Cargo
courtesy of Sammataro
If you’re curious about what goes into creating a standout pizzeria in the crowded Austin market, consider 48-hour fermented dough topped with legit tomato sauce and high-quality cheese and commitments to helping the community boosters at orgs like Free Lunch. These folks know.
1108 E. 12th
512/690-1547
sammataro.pizza
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Sassy’s brings the soul to the city’s hip and eclectic Eastside in a way that only vegan Chicon N Waffles can (yes, you read that right). So start chowing down on this food truck’s original recipe and don’t be surprised when you head back for an extra side of that cajun mac & cheese or hot water cornbread.
1112 E. 11th
737/333-4458
fb.com/sassysvegetariansoulfood
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John Anderson
courtesy of Song La
If you’ve never tried Taiwanese street food, it’s high time you make a plan to visit this truck made for and by musicians (and everyone) and try their variety of boldly flavored bento boxes. Don’t forget an apple sidra.
411 W. 23rd
831/254-7525
www.songlafood.com
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Lotsa folks subscribe to the pizza & beer dine-in ethos, while others are more inclined to the burgers & beer wonder tandem. But the real ones know that it’s the chicken & beer that makes Luda keep rappin’. That’s why fried chicken savants Spicy Boys became quick besties with two of the town’s greatest breweries in Zilker and St. Elmo, knowing that a quality hops experience includes Spicy Boys’ marvelous crispy bird.
1701 E. Sixth
www.spicyboyschicken.com/home
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Photo by Jana Birchum
Courtesy of SXSE Food Co.
Gone are the days when greasy burgers were beer guzzlers’ best friend. Beer has evolved. Food has evolved. You’ve evolved. Showcasing an impressive fusion of South American and Southeast Asian flavors through rib-eye skewers, pork buns, and nam khao tod, this food truck is bringing Laotian flavors to the world that needed them most.
415 E. St. Elmo Rd
512/902-5048
sxsefoodco.com
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There is simply not enough space here to explain the level of deliciousness served at this beloved Thai and Laotian food truck, in dishes like tom yum goong, hat yai fried chicken, and khoa soi dumplings. They’ve just closed for the summer, but the whole city is holding their collective breath for a quick return.
1606 E. Sixth
737/867-9701
www.taladaustin.com
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courtesy of TaLad Thai and Lao Streetfood
courtesy of Tender Thighs
Winning rhymes aside, Tender Thighs, located on the patio of Shangri-La, is a solid bar food follow-up to their treasured momma truck, Baton Creole, stationed in front of Sagebrush. Thighs and fries, chicken sandos, or a vegan tempeh and fries, they got all grounds covered.
1016 E. Sixth
tenderthighs.com
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The comforting family Thai recipes like pad see ewe and tom kha soup from chef/owner Kruewan Chiangthuek stole our hearts and continue to inspire a regular trek to West Austin.
1158 Lost Creek Blvd.
512/547-7281
www.fb.com/thaikruefha
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courtesy of Thai Kruefha
courtesy of Trill Foods
Owner Nick Belloni knows how to have a good time. After changing up his formerly-known-as-Trill Taqueria truck, the chef extraordinaire added food from his Louisiana roots to fan-favorite tacos, notorious mesquite-charred broccoli, and specials like lobster roe tostadas at South Austin’s Vacancy Brewing.
415 E. St. Elmo Rd.
www.trillfoodsatx.com
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Valentina’s is a verified “Monsters of Barbecue” first stringer, and in 100 years their legendary Real Deal Holyfield taco will be rapped about by future Bay Area expats the same way modern-day Austinites opine about the gloriousness of the OG mustard blend cheesesteak sandwich. Valentina’s newest location in Austin FC’s Q2 stadium is the ideal way to pass the months between goals.
11500 Menchaca Rd.
512/221-4248
www.valentinastexmexbbq.com
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Photo by John Anderson
photo by David Brendan Hall
Lawrence Eguakun brings the traditional foods of Nigeria into a more plant-based manifestation and adds diversity (and plenty of spice) to the vivacious vegan enclave called Possum Park. The bestselling platter’s got “five items, and any one you eat, you’re going to enjoy the whole five,” says the longtime Austin chef, and we happily concur.
701 E. 53rd
512/565-3854
www.wasotaveganparadise.com
