Food Trucks around the world

There’s a reason Nong’s has been getting a lot of publicity. Her one dish of chicken and rice is so simple, so fresh, and so delicious—wrapped in butcher paper and served with soup and an addictive sauce that you’ll be able to get in a bottle. She also now has a brick-and-mortar location on Akeney just behind the Jupiter Hotel. Hooray! With no more than $70 in her pocket when she came to Portland at the age of 23, her story is one of love, courage, and hard work.

The meat pie is synonymous with Australia, and no place is more iconic in Sydney than Woolloomooloo’s Harry’s Cafe de Wheels. What started out as a simple stand turned into one of the first food trucks when local ordinances dictated that mobile food carts had to move at least 12 inches every day. There are now dozens of Harry’s around Sydney, each serving up their famous pies. “The Tiger” is the most well known: a pie topped with mashed potatoes, gravy, and mushy peas. There are no tables to speak of, but rather a counter attached to the truck. Thousands of celebrities, politicians, and locals have flocked to Harry’s for their pie fix. And the place is open until 2 a.m., making it a great late-night spot.

Mexican-Korean fusion has arrived in the desert! Every few weeks, all the food trucks in Tucson converge in different neighborhoods for a ‘food truck roundup’ fiesta, and now, Mafooco (the Mexican Asian Food Company) is among them. Folks in Arizona no longer have to trek across the Sonora and Mojave deserts to Los Angeles for such delicious hybrids as kalbi (Korean short-rib) tacos, and kimchi (Korean sauerkraut with a kick of chili) quesadillas! It’s Mexican ‘Seoul-food’ in the desert!

Food trucks are a common sight in Manhattan these days, and I love it because I’m usually rushing from one place to another, eating on the go. Never has it been so easy to find a great meal while I’m doing so. I have quite a few trucks that I prefer but my reigning favorite right now is: Palenque. This Colombian food truck serves Arepa. Traditionally, with corn tortilla, or with varieties such as flour and quinoa - each is prepared fresh on demand for the customer. Because of this, wait time can be prolonged in comparison to other trucks. The wait is always worth it. Chicken, shrimp, beef and vegetarian options are all available. To drink, I recommend their homemade teas and lemonade sweetened with raw sugarcane. It won’t be hard to spot the truck covered with dynamic paintings of colorful parrots, when you see it, make the time to stop and place an order. Your mouth will thank you!

Take a road trip up to the North Shore of Oahu and go hungry! A stop at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is a must if you are a garlic and butter lover...and really - who isn’t? Make sure you have plenty of napkins!

I have to say I had my doubts when, in search of a lunch spot during our final day in Marfa, a local shop owner sent us to Fat Lyle’s. I didn’t know what to make of the unique name of the food stand. But I would put my preconceptions aside and give it a try. I am so glad I did. The food was delicious. If I wasn’t stuffed from my order I would have ordered more and more and more. We sampled the Korean Chicken which was so tasty. The chicken makes my mouth water just thinking about it. I got the brussels sprouts with carmelized onions, blue cheese, and french fries. Sounds like a weird concoction but for some reason it works. Make sure you stop here for a bite to eat. I need to go back to Marfa for more.

After spending a day walking around Boston--eating yum cha in Chinatown, going to the Institute of Contemporary Art, navigating through a pop-up street market--we decided we were a little peckish. As soon as we exited the arches designating Boston’s Chinatown, we stumbled across a wonderful little food truck. Cookie Monstah. A food truck dedicated to cookies. We were able to mix-and-match a cookie flavour with an icecream flavour. After much deliberation, we ended up with chocolate chip cookies with green tea icecream to make our perfect icecream sandwich. Delectable. And fabulous!

Why I was so surprised to find a food truck in the village of Volcano outside of Volcano National Park, I’m not sure. All I know is that it was one of the many culinary surprises on the Big Island. This truck was packed with all kinds of wonderful things, and almost all of it was healthy too. If you can find it, and I have no way of telling you where they will be parked, ask for the special drink they mix up daily, I think it has ginger it in, but they’ll know what you mean. The company is called Higher Taste Vegetarian Cafe, and this truck was parked outside of the Rainforest Gallery at Niaulani near Volcano Village. That’s the best I can do, but then again, finding the truck is half the fun!

The food truck revolution is coming to Brussels and a great introduction is Keep On Toasting. Keep On Toasting travels around Brussels, serving up gourmet toasties, toasted sandwiches inspired by the traditional croque monsieur. These are far from your Mom’s grilled cheese sandwiches though. Owner and chef, Jean Baptiste Nyssen, creates four new sandwiches a week. He hand picks the best local and organic ingredients he can find. Pictured here is his Croq-British - A perfect breakfast sandwich, containing chopped up boiled egg, lardons (bacon), green beans and Stilton cheese. His veggie goat-cheese and lentil sandwich blew my mind and with inspirations from the Alps to India, there is sure to be a sandwich for you.

If you’re in Oahu’s North Shore area, stop for lunch at Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp truck — it’s the one with a mural of a gigantic, rearing shrimp. They’re not rock-bottom cheap, but you get a lot for your money; $13 gets you a plate piled high with fat, juicy shrimp dripping with garlic butter, two big scoops of rice, and a (skippable) salad. Seating is outdoor-only on plastic tables and chairs, but it’s probably the best option for these messy, delicious peel-and-eat shrimp. The pond where they farm their shrimp is right next to where the truck is parked, so you can’t get any fresher than that!

After visiting food trucks in Hawaii and San Francisco, I was surprised to learn about the Atlanta Food Truck Park, a permanent home for the city’s food trucks off Howell Mill Road. On any given day you will find a couple of food trucks, a live band, cornhole boards and tents of artisan crafted jams, cupcakes and more. Getting there is fairly easy as buses go in both directions on Howell Mill and there is a surplus of parking spaces. Each food truck has something different to offer, but my personal favorites are the kwanza bowl from W.O.W., the shrimp etouffee from Rouxd and the Arnold Palmer popsicle from King of Pops.

The Eastern Market, now a National Historic Landmark, opened in 1873 to serve the Capitol Hill neighborhood (an 1805 version, located down by the Navy Yard, was a casualty of the War of 1812). The brick market hall, packed with butchers, bakers, vegetable markets, cheese vendors, flower kiosks, and a lunch counter, is bright and charming. Under the shed roof outside, additional local produce is displayed and sold. On weekends, booths selling vintage goods and handmade jewelry, housewares, and clothing do a brisk business down the center of 7th Street. Crowds spill out of the cafés, taco joints, and bagel shops occupying the first floors of the row houses along the block, adding to the lively mix at the market.

Also known as “street meat” this food truck, which is actually one of several is a popular late night spot for New Yorkers. There are hundreds of Halal trucks all over the city, but these guys always draw a crowd! They are located near on the Avenue of the Americas at 6th and 53rd and a few other locations as well.

This restaurant feels like you stepped back in time - think Mexico in the 70s. The story goes - it all began in the VW van in Playa del Carmen. Tacombi used to sell tacos out of the van, and now he has a nice, cozy spot in Soho where the van is parked. It’s a garage with lights strung in the air. It just feels cool to be in. The design is great, but the food is even better. Virtually any tacos you order are wonderful. I also recommend the guacamole appetizer - yum! And don’t leave without ordering a drink.

the 626 Night Market that happens three times in the summer, the next one is in early August, is something to see, taste, and do. Located at the Santa Anita Park, there is an amass of grilling stations, food trucks, and stalls to find something really amazing to eat. Pictured above is part of the process in which the Dragon Whisper Beard candy is made.

“Puff the Magic Dragon, lived by the sea, and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee” our guide kept on singing this verse as he was pointing out the smokey dragon in front of us, as we visited this wonderful place (viewed from the Hanalei Pier). But in reality, there is no direct link to the song, but somehow people have believed that it did :-) Hanalei is a beautiful little town by the coastline and it’s accessible via several one-way bridges from Princeville. It’s a cozy little town to visit when you’re in the island of Kauai. And to add some movie trivia to it, Hanalei Bay is also a popular movie location for South Pacific, Lilo and Stitch and the Descendants. A good spot to stop is Hanalei Pier and Hanalei Beach and it would be lovely place to watch the sunset. Unfortunately, the day we visited, it was raining :-(

Chef Chico Mendonça brings a taste of Portugal to Orlando with his food truck, Bem Bom. For the signature Prego de Frango Piri-Piri, he marinates chicken in his own piri-piri and serves it on fresh, warm prego (a crunchy yet chewy Portuguese bread) with hot mustard, cilantro, and pepper relish. If you’re lucky enough to be at the truck when Mendonça has piri-piri for sale, don’t leave without buying a bottle.

When award-winning CHARCUT Roast House started selling the best $5 burger in Calgary from the back alley of its restaurant, lines stretched around the block. Now the local, natural pork and roasted garlic sausage patties come from the hottest burger truck around, but it’s still worth the wait. Choose between the burger that started it all topped with Quebec squeaky cheese curds and piri piri aioli, and “The Whole Truck” 100% Angus beef burger with your choice of onions, ketchup, mayo, a farm egg, bacon, pickles or a third patty.

Some say El Camion is the best taco truck in town. With four locations (including a sit-down restaurant), it’s easy enough to find out for yourself, although we’re partial to the authentic walk-up truck experience. (The trucks have tent seating nearby.) El Camion serves up breakfast burritos in the morning, and tacos, burritos, and pillowy-soft gorditas (pictured) for lunch and dinner. They also have tortas, but it’s hard to pass up a big platter of freshly-made, juicy tacos garnished with radish and lime. Grab a horchata or Jarritos fruit soda to wash it down, and you’ll still be well under $10 for a delicious, hearty meal. Although it’s always busy, service is fast and friendly, and the line moves quickly.

Every Monday between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m., head to ArtsPark in Hollywood, Florida for food truck night. Spread your blankets on the 10-acre lawn around the spectacular feature fountain designed by internationally acclaimed public artist Ritsuko Taho of Japan. Sit down on a lawn chair and enjoy some of the community’s unique and delicious cuisine. Miami Food Trucks serve a wide variety of street food: gourmet sandwiches, tacos, burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, falafel, pizza, ice cream, shaved ice, cupcakes, and so much more!

Miami Food Trucks serve a wide variety of street food: gourmet sandwiches, tacos, burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, falafel, pizza, ice cream, shaved ice, cupcakes, and so much more! The food trucks make their way around South Florida at various parks, parking lots and social events. You never know where the trucks could end up. On any given night after hopping from bar to bar, your favorite food truck could be parked right outside. All Miami food trucks cater and host private events. You can order online and view the schedule if you’re craving something special.

Momogoose had to be one of the first food trucks around. Founded in 1989 by MIT alums, it’s only natural they would take a scientific approach to cooking. Their barbecued tofu is just the way I like it: chewy, moist and very meatlike with a sauce that’s equal parts sweet and sour. When I’d finished, I realized that the dish had made a convert out of the carnivore in me. I also love the fact that they have a “Meal for Meal” initiative providing nourishment to the global poor through the World Food Program.

Of course there’s a pie food truck! Pie’s savory selections include classics like peppered steak and spicy pork, as well as more unusual flavors like channa masala, meatloaf, and triple pig (ground pork, bacon, ham, potatoes, onions, bacon gravy); there’s a rotating daily selection, but you can check the day’s options on their website. Likewise, the sweet pie menu is huge, and includes flavors such as grapefruit meringue, chocolate orange cream, PB&J, and marionberry, our local berry that’s similar to a blackberry in flavor. Pie also has a permanent location at the Seattle Center’s Armory food court, if you’re in that area and don’t feel like chasing down the truck. With a motto like “You Butter Believe It,” expect some seriously flaky crust.

What started off as only one truck by owner Steve Hanifi, now there are five, making Tasty Kabob DC’s largest food truck fleet. Often seen around L’Enfant Plaza, Franklin Square, Farragut Square, and in Rosslyn, VA, each truck serves up generous, flavorful portions of grilled chicken, lamb, or veggies over rice, salad, or pita bread topped with creamy dill sauce. Complement the meal with a side of their cumin-laced chickpeas.