There is no denying it; we are living in a glorious age where food trucks have become the hottest places to grab some grub. Cities all over America are host to hundreds of food trucks that offer everything from the typical taco to over the top gourmet meals. While it’s no surprise foodie powerhouses like NYC and LA top the list, a few smaller markets are majorly shaking up the traditional culinary scene. Read on for 16 American cities with thriving food truck cultures, and get ready for your mouth to water.
Los Angeles. Touted as the birthplace of the modern food truck, the City of Angels is brimming with popular trucks serving all the goodies. This California metropolis is known for its innovative food scene, and its street fare is no exception: 200 gourmet food trucks offer everything from Korean Barbeque to Mexican inspired Soul Food to handmade Beignets and creative Ice Cream Sandwiches regularly rotate throughout the city.
Austin. Everything’s bigger in Texas, including food trucks. Austin easily has one of the most well-known food truck scenes in the country. Austin was also one of the first cities to embrace the food truck culture. The city seems to run entirely on concessions on wheels. And why wouldn’t they? There’s nearly every type of cuisine one can imagine, and yes, you can find Texas BBQ, too.
Portland, Oregon. In terms of sheer number of food trucks, Portland rules the school. The city boasts over 600 food carts that are grouped into pods, making it easy to sample a variety of cuisines, including Chinese, Vegan, and even British Fish & Chips. Portland also ranks near the top as one of the easiest cities in which to operate a food truck, which may help explain the huge number of mobile eateries found there.
Minneapolis. Food truck popularity is surging in the Twin Cities, with eclectic options that include anything from Korean burritos to Tater Tots to BBQ sliders on a multitude of food trucks. Dozens of choices are parked along meters, outside the breweries and setting up shop at the farmers markets. And food trucks in Minneapolis have to weather the seasons, as cold winters can deter hungry patrons. But many trucks remain open throughout the year to serve those who brave the elements a variety of seasonal, organic comfort food that helps
San Francisco. San Francisco is a veritable food mecca, and food trucks have taken center stage. The city boasts over 150 roaming carts and weekly markets that bring local vendors together, with many top chefs and foodies at the helm of local trucks. Its temperate climate, diverse culinary cultures and backgrounds, and walkable streets make it an ideal spot for year-round mobile cuisine of nearly every variety. The city also hosts an annual food festival to bring together the different types of truck fare, from curry to Asian fusion to (and it’s no surprise here) incredible seafood.
Washington, DC. While our nation’s capital is consistently recognized as one of the best food cities in the country, its notoriety isn’t limited to only brick-and-mortar restaurants. The area is awash with fantastic trucks that attract both locals and visitors. Most DC food trucks can be found in the downtown area, offering busy politicos and visitors the chance to sample the city’s street cuisine, which includes Middle Eastern Kabobs, Hawaiian food and Pho. With all these food trucks it seems hard to keep track of but luckily the Food Truck Fiesta app has you covered with its real time map that lists where the trucks are and whose serving up what.
New York. Hungry New Yorkers don’t have to look far for quick eats. From Times Square to the Upper West Side, food trucks are scattered throughout the city and provide diverse fare fit for any palate, including Kimchi Bowls, Tofu Tacos and Tawanese-style Fried Chicken.
Seattle. Seattle has always been overshadowed by Portland in terms of being a food truck city but as the years tick by they are holding their own and home to some of the best food trucks in America. When it rains in Seattle it pours—but that doesn’t stop locals and visitors alike enjoy the city’s burgeoning food truck scene, which serve everything from Southern Comfort Food to Native American inspired fare.
St. Louis. Often considered a culinary underdog, St. Louis is gaining momentum as a popular food truck city, serving up Filipino street food, Tacos, and Greek Gyros with equal flare.
Boston. Bostonians love their street food. Trucks circulate throughout the city, attracting hungry college students and suited businessmen alike who go for fare like Baja Fish Tacos, Veitnamese Banh Mi and gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
Denver. Between the microbreweries and food truck varieties, Colorado’s capital is an absolute haven for artisanal food and beverage. Denver boasts over 100 food trucks and there is seemingly no bad place to grab a bite to eat. Whether you are looking to grab a green-chili cheeseburger, pizza or barbecue; you can find it here.
Miami, Orlando and Tampa. Maybe it’s the almost year-round cooperating climate, but Florida boasts three of the highest rated food truck cities in the U.S.
Miami just loves their food trucks and you will find hundreds of trucks lining the streets, with offerings you won’t find anywhere else. Miami’s laid-back beach vibes make it the prime location for casual, truck-style dining. Forget changing after a day on the sand — simply throw on a cover-up and pick between one of the many trucks you’ll find lining up and down the streets.
And a few hours up the road from Miami, Orlando is quickly making a name for itself in the world of rolling eateries, including Portugese fish dishes, Italian Ice and New England Clam Chowder. There are almost 200 food trucks in Orlando and counting, and this city wins in terms of having the most food trucks per capita in all of the United States.
Now Tampa is all about food trucks and getting them out on the road. Tampa’s even home to a Food Truck Rally, a company that specializes in promoting local cuisine and connecting the public with the food trucks, hosting seminars for potential food truck owners and staging events all over the city. Tampa Bay’s Florida State Fairgrounds also holds the World’s Largest Food Truck Rally on a yearly basis!
Honolulu. Lunch wagons have been part of the landscape in Hawaii for generations and used to serve the same thing, a couple scoops or rice, some macaroni salad and gravy based main. But things have come a long way in recent years and innovative trucks serving everything from wood fired pizzas to shrimp & grits have popped up all over Honolulu, and visitors should be sure to check at least a few of them out. Warm weather all year round, awesome new food trucks popping up all over the city and the ocean at your fingertips; sounds like a pretty amazing food truck city to us!
Atlanta. Atlanta is an up and coming city when it comes to food trucks and there is no better time to experience these awesome trucks than now. This city is where you will find down home southern comfort food mixed with Mexican and Asian influences. New laws in Atlanta have made it easier for trucks to operate on public roads and expect to see even more as the years go on.
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