Who Needs A Five-Star Restaurant?
With a meal at a restaurant costing more than ever, it's nice to know that some of the best eats actually come on four wheels. The greatest chefs in North America are shifting their focus away from the traditional white-tablecloth dining experience to something more down-to-earth, making gourmet offerings more accessible to the masses. From tacos to French dip sandwiches, here are the best food trucks in North America and some of their signature offerings.
1. KG BBQ - Austin, TX
If there's one food Texas is known for, it's barbecue. KG BBQ in Austin was opened by Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh, an Egyptian immigrant who puts a Middle Eastern spin on proper Southern BBQ, adding ingredients like pomegranate seeds and sumac.
2. Roti Rolls - Charleston, SC
Roti Rolls is a gem of South Carolina, serving roti parathas with a flair. Their menu is a fusion of Caribbean, Asian, and Indian flavors.
3. Taqueria Regina - New York, NY
Taqueria Regina at the corner of West 34th St. and 8th Avenue is a NYC institution. Their signature dishes include the Oreja de Puerco (pork ear) taco and their sopes, thick cornmeal cakes with toppings.
4. Sapré Charles - Montreal, QC
Quebec is known for its game meat and at Sapré Charles, a food truck in the Montreal area, they put local, wild ingredients center stage. Their must-try dishes include the bison poutine, bison cheeseburger, and confit duck drumsticks.
@withlovefromchile on Unsplash
5. Fava Pot - Washington, DC
Fava Pot is a food truck offering Egyptian delicacies in Washington, DC. It was opened by Dina Daniel, a Cairo native who wanted to bring her favorite dishes to America. In addition to whipping up some seriously tasty and healthy food, Fava Pot donates a portion of its proceeds to charity.
6. The Merry Dairy - Ottawa, ON
It might surprise you to see a truck from this sleepy Canadian government city make the list, but The Merry Dairy ice cream truck really is a well-hidden gem. The vibrant truck makes its rounds across the city throughout the summer and it can be rented for festivals and private gatherings.
7. Kogi BBQ - Los Angeles, CA
Kogi BBQ in LA by renowned Chef Roy Choi blends Korean and Mexican flavors. Its menu boasts and number of now-iconic dishes like the Korean short rib taco and kimchi quesadillas all in the spirit of Chef Choi's efforts to democratize gourmet food.
8. Nong's Khao Man Gai - Portland, OR
Opened by Thai immigrant Nong Poonsukwattana opened her first food cart in 2009 and it has since grown into a formidable Portland institution. It was featured on Chopped and was a James Beard Award semifinalist. The signature dish here is a Thai classic, poached chicken served over aromatic rice cooked in chicken fat.
9. Mariscos Jalisco - Los Angeles, CA
LA is known for its killer Mexican cuisine, Mariscos Jalisco being the perfect example. You can't go to the City of Angels and not try their signature crispy shrimp tacos.
10. Tot Boss - St. Paul, MN
Just when you thought tater tots were boring, the Tot Boss specializes in creative tot-based dishes. Nachos, poutine, and bacon-wrapped are just some of the fantastic creations on their menu, all involving perfectly seasoned, golden, crispy on the outside and soft in-the-middle tater tots.
11. House of Mac - Miami, FL
Mac and cheese lovers, rejoice! Miami has got you covered with the world-famous House of Mac food truck serving up inventive takes on this classic American comfort food. Their signature dishes include the jerk chicken mac and cheese and their fried cheese balls.
12. The Chairman - San Francisco, CA
San Francisco is known for its large and vibrant Asian-American population. The Chairman, opened by the former executive chef at Bar Charlie in Las Vegas, fuses American and Asian flavors with high-end culinary techniques to bring you some truly unique and incredible dishes.
13. Kiin Di - Austin, TX
Kiin Di in Austin, Texas is known for its Killer Noodles, a super spicy dish that has garnered a hardcore fanbase. It's become a must-visit staple for Thai lovers in the city.
14. Russell's Traveling Kitchen - Minneapolis, MN
Russell's Traveling Kitchen has become a staple in the twin cities' culinary scene. It was opened by Kerry and Channe Dos who named it after their son. They blend French, American, and Asian influences with such items as pho French dip and BBQ braised meatball sub gracing their menu.
15. FeasTO - Toronto, ON
FeasTO is Canada's first dumpling-focused mobile eatery and the winner of Food Network's Food Truck Face-Off. Their menu offers a rotating selection of four to six different dumpling flavors and occasionally includes nori fries and banh mi sandwiches too.
16. The Cinnamon Snail - New York, NY
Food trucks are often associated with greasy cuts of meat and cheese, but The Cinnamon Snail vegan food truck in NYC is here to change that. Their menu features delicious fully plant-based comfort foods like Korean BBQ Seitan, Maple Mustard Tempeh Sandwich, and a variety of pastries.
17. El Bori - Miami, FL
Miami is known for its gigantic Puerto Rican population, and you better believe they're serving up some insanely good Caribbean flavors. El Bori is known for its authentic dishes like the beloved tripleta sandwich and mofongo (fried pork with mashed plantain).
Dennilson Navichoque on Pexels
18. Zilford’s Fried Chicken - Calgary, AB
Calgary's street aesthetic wouldn't be complete without this retro-style fried chicken truck. It was born out of the founder's love of Southern-style fried chicken. Its stripped-down menu offering four styles of fried chicken makes it quickly apparent how seriously they take this dish here.
19. Pink Bellies - Charleston, SC
This vibrant food truck in Charleston, opened by chef Thai Phi who was born in a Thai refugee camp to Vietnamese parents, offers a creative fusion of Vietnamese and American flavors. Menu highlights include the OG Garlic Noodles, Pho Mai Burger, and Spicy Lamb Dumplings.
20. Daddy's Bonetown Burgers - Boston, MA
Daddy's Bonetown Burgers in Boston takes us back to the basics, serving up amazing, boldly-flavored burgers in a heavy metal-inspired environment. The menu offers many varieties of chef-focused burgers with classed-up sides like black truffle or parmesan fries.
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