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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Operating out of a brightly decorated Airstream, Abo Youssef is as cheerful as the food it serves is delicious. Look for enormous platters of shawarma, gyros, and falafel, plus cucumber salad, legendary lemon mint tea, homemade hummus, and some of the best tzatziki in town.

2101 Manor Rd.
512/815-6804
www.fb.com/abo-youssef-1637500513173618

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With colorful signage resembling oversized alphabet fridge magnets, it’s hard to miss this chrome Airstream trailer at the Gulf gas station on Manor Road. And you wouldn’t want to, because the shawarmas and falafel are some of the best in the city. Get cozy on the floor pillows in the tapestry-lined tent while you wait for your food.

2101 Manor Rd.
512/815-6804
www.fb.com/abo-youssef-1637500513173618

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Since the weather’s trending hotter and hotter – oh, stop denying it – this silvery Manor Road trailer dispensing mouthwatering marvels of falafel and shawarma, of heavenly hummus and mint lemonade, of birthday-worthy baklava, will only become more indispensable as time goes by.

2101 Manor Rd.
512/815-6804
www.fb.com/abo-youssef-1637500513173618

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If you ask an Austinite where to eat vegan food, 99.9% of the time, the immediate response is, “Arlo’s!” Plant-based but designed with carnivores in mind, the menu caters to late-night cravings, and they’ve absolutely mastered the art of meatless cheeseburgers with their famous Bac’n Cheezeburger. That Frito pie ain’t nothing to sneeze at either, friends. To really let you in on how special their trio of curbside eateries is, consider this: Arlo’s is the very first food trailer and only the second plant-based kitchen inducted into our First Plates Hall of Fame. Austin’s plant-based comfort food baby is all grown up now. Inducted in 2019.

900 Red River
512/840-1600
arloscurbside.com

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Ask vegans where to get the best burger in town and you’ll most likely be sent to Arlo’s. Hell, even non-vegetarians dig these greasy late-night trailers. And with three locations around town, there’s never one far away. Get the double bac’n cheezeburger and tots. You won’t regret it.

2908 Fruth
512/840-8585
www.arlostruck.com

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Curbing carnivorous cravings has never been so easy. When even the most devout meat-eater yearns for the Bac’n Cheeze Burger from Arlo’s, you know the kitchen’s doing something right. This fleet now satisfies appetites all across town with its three trucks, but we personally pine for the Chik’n Tacos and tots washed down with a Gin Henry at Drinks Lounge.

900 Red River
512/840-1600
arloscurbside.com

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There aren’t a ton of places to get arepas in Austin, but this tiny trailer on East Sixth Street undoubtedly offers the best. Carlos Quitian opened up this Colombian food walk-up in November 2014, serving authentic empanadas and cooling ice pops in a casual spot in the middle of the Pangea Lounge.

1211 E. Sixth
512/387-5353
www.fb.com/atxartessano

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Ugo and Annamaria serve straightforward scratch pasta inspired by their home city of Mantova. Featuring local produce and offering lasagna, gnocchi, maccheroni, casarecce, tagliatelle, and – of course – spaghetti alla carbonara, they’ve carved out a distinct family-friendly niche in the pasta truck scene (as Italians offering Italian food, the focus is on pasta as a course of its own, not proteins or sides). Check out their buzzworthy tiramisu.

7800 S. First
512/228-7489
www.artipasta.com

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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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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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Seducing folks with his samosas (grass-fed halal beef or turmeric potato), magical green sauce, and daily scratch tea and lemonade, chef Sajjad of Atia’s Kitchen is setting a new standard for food truck hospitality. Anybody, including vegans, can find something comforting and aromatic on the unpretentious Pakistani menu.

1106 E. 11th
512/900-0615
www.atiaskitchenatx.com

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Serving self-proclaimed “authentic badass Cajun,” Baton blurs that Louisiana-Texas line with ease, bringing Cajun-inspired, Austin-friendly twists on old faves. Dark roux gumbo, jambalaya batons, and poutine fries with brie are only a few of the mouthwatering bayou flavors on this menu.

1016 E. Sixth
512/986-3834
www.batoncreole.com/

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No matter where this truck goes, hungry Austinites follow in search of smoky baba ghanoush and sumac-topped falafel spreads. This Lebanese trailer is a delight for both vegetarians and carnivores, and there’s always a delicious twist on the classics (love the rose-flavored lemonade).

3225 Amy Donovan Plaza
512/758-3377
www.fb.com/beirutaustin

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Hawaiian slang for “big shot,” the Big Kahuna is the biggest, if not the only, game in town for real Hawaiian food. Anchored in the Rosedale food court on Burnet Road, the truck slings generous, heartbreakingly fresh poke bowls, the classic Loco Moco (rice topped with a burger patty, fried egg, and gravy), and simply outstanding coconut shrimp tenders.

1309 W. 45th
512/760-9638
www.bigkahunaaustin.com

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The owners don’t have to boast about their island flavor or aloha spirit – patrons insist that the freshness and large portion size of the ahi tuna poke and popcorn shrimp will make an instant convert out of you. That, plus the vibrancy and presentation of the sides, will make you forget you’re dining in a parking lot.

1309 W. 45th
512/760-9638
www.bigkahunaaustin.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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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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Step out of your burger and breakfast taco comfort zone and embrace the easygoing Brazilian vibes of this food truck. If you’ve had Brazilian food before, you probably already know about Boteco, and if you haven’t, let Boteco’s coxinhas (Brazilian croquettes), fresh mango juice, and Sunday feijoada convince you that ramen isn’t the only international food Austin can brag about.

1209 E. Sixth
www.botecoatx.com

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Brazilian street food at its finest, this bright yellow neon sign of a food truck serves up tasty yuca fries and empanadas. But the pièce de résistance is probably the picanha grelhada with sirloin steak, rice, beans, and a fried egg.

1209 E. Sixth
www.botecoatx.com

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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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Bud's fans from Shoal Creek are happy he's now established in the Mueller food trailer park. His gumbo, étouffée, red beans and rice muffaletta, and po'boys are as good as ever. – Virginia B. Wood

4209 Airport
512/586-4425
sites.google.com/site/budspoboys/

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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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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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The tiny red trailer parked in the Monarch Food Mart lot next door to Cherrywood Coffeehouse is slinging some of the tastiest breakfast tacos in town. Norma Flores makes both flour and corn tortillas by hand every morning, and by the 7am opening, there’s a line. Don’t worry: Her tacos fly out of the sugar-skull-decorated window faster than the Frost Bank Tower’s resident peregrine falcon. Be sure to use every drop of that secret recipe green salsa.

1402 E. 38th 1/2

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West African fusion reigns at this darling trailer. We're still dreaming of the Couscous Moroccan, packed with cranberries, parsley, tomato relish, and set on top of a hearty bed of mixed greens with cucumber slices. –Gracie Salem

4204 Menchaca Rd.
512/769-9560
www.cazamance.com

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This is one of our favorite feel-good trailers, proving that health and flavor can harmonize in the right hands. Love the veggie burger and the lamb and feta meatballs. The brunch menu is delightful. – Gracie Salem

4204 Menchaca Rd.
512/769-9560
www.cazamance.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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Since 2014, childhood friends Leo Mendoza and David Martinez have offered up the sweet treats of their Ciudad Juarez youth: churros made from scratch and topped with creative compotes, silky chocolate, and more. Look for a second location soon.

1906 S. First
512/749-2150
www.churrocoaustin.com

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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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We try to eat healthy, but to be honest a lot of health food tastes like sawdust and dirt. Curcuma chef/owner Rachel Musquiz has found a better way. Everything is plant-based, and friendly to those eating paleo or gluten-free. And just because there is a list of ingredients that they don’t use doesn’t mean you’ll ever feel like you are missing out.

2207 E. Cesar Chavez
512/956-9550
www.eatcurcuma.com

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Curcuma (aka turmeric in science-speak) offers healthy alternatives to the typical food truck fare. The ayurvedic meals like the kitchari bowl and raw pecan tacos are as full of flavor as they are nutrients, and the charcoal lemonade and Golden Mylk beverages have amassed a cult following.

2207 E. Cesar Chavez
512/956-9550
www.eatcurcuma.com

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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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The Dee Dee Northern Thai trailer is a family affair. Lakana Trubiana kicks out the jams in the back while husband Justin helps customers navigate the entrées at the order window. Their om gai – a spicy, brothy, dill-laden chicken dish – is perfect for sweating out a hangover, and the damn good tofu stir-fry is far from a vegetarian afterthought. Sharable boats of mango sticky rice and papaya salad round out the limited offerings, but we couldn’t ask for anything more.

4204 Menchaca Rd.
www.deedeeatx.com

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Northern Thai street food made with fresh, high-quality ingredients is the name of the game at this trailer that’s recently made its first move to behind the new Eastside bar La Holly. In addition to spicy favorites like laab moo and pad kaprow, find newer additions like tofu stir-fry and som tom tod (shredded papaya and carrot in a crunchy tempura batter).

4204 Menchaca Rd.
www.deedeeatx.com

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There are many Thai joints in Austin, but none have made quite the splash that this plucky little food truck did when it popped up on the Eastside a few years back and started racking up accolades almost immediately for its Northern Thai street food, including pork skewers, spicy papaya salad, and cooling mango & sticky rice.

4204 Menchaca Rd.
www.deedeeatx.com

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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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If you’re still wishing you were an Oscar Meyer wiener, you have obviously not tried this delicious coney dog. (You’re also a weirdo.) Located just outside of the “anytime bar,” Nickel City – in the old Longbranch Inn space – this late-night trailer slings dogs, burgers, and chili fries, and they all go perfectly with a draft beer. Attention, Lubbockites: The bar serves Chiltons.

1133 E. 11th
512/987-4294

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Their slogan sums it up: “Go ahead, get addicted.” Serving up flavors of Southeast Asia, DFG doesn’t have just any old menu – they have a “menu of goodness.” From chicken nuggets marinated overnight in “DFG Magic Sauce,” to the Empress, a creamy coconut-curry stew delight, you’ll be daydreaming about your next flavor fix from this award-winning food truck.

Check website for location
512/677-9334
www.dfgfood.com

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There’s something refreshing about a business that only offers a single product. Not only do we love Xose Velasco’s exaltation of his family recipe – based in a Chihuahuan regional cooking technique – but the tyranny of choice (read: FOMO) for us is also eliminated. Besides, these tacos contain multitudes.

1319 Rosewood
www.discadatx.com

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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.

CLOSED

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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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Austin’s first Dominican food trailer offers a regional twist on classic Latin fare and an Austin staple: empanadas. Chef Melvin Mendez whips up crowd-favorite beef picadillo, shredded chicken, and vegan ratatouille empanadas in addition to tostones and quipes (beef and bulgur rolls stuffed with ground beef and raisins).

2505 Webberville
www.fb.com/thedoughminican

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Hometown hero Paul Qui and Motoyasu "Moto" Utsunomiya have created a dynasty, improving our favorite Eastside bars with on-site trailers offering unique menus of gourmet yet budget-friendly Asian flavors like curry buns and Broccoli Pops. –Jessi Cape

CLOSED

1618 E. Sixth
512/407-8166
eastsideking.com/-liberty

CLOSED

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The Peelander Yellow graffiti on the outside of the food truck is sure to capture anyone’s attention, but we’re more intrigued with what’s inside. The neighborhood may look very different from when ESK first opened, but some things don’t ever change. The beet fries, pork buns, and brussels sprouts are still kicking it.

1618 E. Sixth
512/407-8166
eastsideking.com/-liberty

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This sketchy-looking trailer has long been serving some of the yummiest and most authentic tacos in South Austin, accompanied by wonderful, hot-hot salsas. – Kate Thornberry

2101 S. First
512/227-5060
www.elprimoatx.com/

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Of course Austin would have a food trailer dedicated to the simplest of childhood pleasures: grilled cheese. But don’t expect the greasy, Velveeta-stuffed basics of your formative years. Between grilled chicken with pesto and provolone, and the classic tomato, basil, and mozzarella, this grilled cheese is all grown up.

1818 E 12th St
512/256-4608
www.instagram.com/emojisgrilledcheese/

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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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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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Although Texas’ obsession with south-of-the-border eats usually only extends as far as Mexico’s southern border, Four Brothers’ Venezuelan food truck is here to prove they can hang with the cool kids. Their patacones, arepas, and empanadas are so good, they might even convince Austinites to cheat on their beloved tacos. Maybe.

1720 Barton Springs Rd.
512/947-4510
www.fourbrothersatx.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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This is one of Austin's most sophisticated food trucks, serving stellar versions of Asian street food – from Vietnamese bánh mì to Japanese rice boxes to Hawaiian specialties like the astoundingly elegant spam musubi rolls. –MM Pack

4209 E. Airport
www.atxfreshoffthetruck.com

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Driving along the dusty super highways of India, you'll occasionally run into food places with shaded areas to sit, and the crowded ones will often offer exquisite food. My first sight of G'Raj Mahal transported me back. It wasn't illusory: G'Raj Mahal's food is authentic and just as good. Bonus: It's BYOB! – Wes Marshall

73 Rainey
512/480-2255
www.grajmahalaustin.com

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The beautiful covered patio draws crowds to this popular trailer with a brick-and-mortar sized menu. Curried lamb samosas, pakoras (fritters), and kebabs of chicken, fish, shrimp, or rack of lamb are all remarkable, with traditional naan bread, of course. – Gracie Salem

73 Rainey
512/480-2255
www.grajmahalaustin.com

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Mainers know lobster rolls, and Garbo’s is owned by Mainers. This food truck (yes, their brick-and-mortar is stellar, too) blurred the Mason-Dixon line, making Austin forget the days when New Englanders kept that buttery crustacean all to themselves. The only question now is: butter or mayo?

512/350-9814
www.garboslobsteratx.com/food-trucks

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If you have a taste for wacky sweets, you must be one of the legions of fans of these off-the-wall doughnuts, featuring fillings and toppings that range from crushed candy bars to fried chicken strips and bacon. – Claudia Alarcón

1503 S. First
512/707-1050
www.gourdoughs.com

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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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This under-the-radar East Austin jewel focuses on velvety smooth hummus. Whether you try a hummus plate with brisket and hatch chiles, or a pita pocket with boiled eggs and eggplant, expect a bold interplay between Texas and Middle Eastern flavors.

CLOSED

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Cheese and kimchi is a wildly underrated combo, but the good people at Jeonju have brought it to the masses with their wildly popular kimchi-stuffed quesadilla. It’s a little spicy, a little savory, crispy-edged, and soaked with melting cheese. Do you really need to know anything else?

1005 E. St. Elmo Road
512/298-2838
www.jeonjuatx.com/

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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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Irascible and gifted, John Mueller smokes some fantastic barbecue from his latest venture on the Eastside. Short ribs to die for, amazing sausage, great pork ribs, wonderful brisket, and a sauce that improves all it touches. –Mick Vann

CLOSED

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The legend moved to the yard behind Kelly's Place on East Sixth last year, turning out his famous brisket, smoked turkey, beef ribs, and sausage as well as sandwiches and traditional sides. Undaunted by barbecue controversy, Mueller does what he was raised to do: smoke meat. Lines queue up at 10:30am until it's all gone. – Gracie Salem

CLOSED

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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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We were glad to hear the news last year that Julie’s had expanded to a new North Austin brick-and-mortar, but we still like remembering our college days at the food truck. Affordable, quick, and filling, Julie’s is a pro-tip that’s passed down with each new class – perfect for students or just those of us who still live like one.

2512 Rio Grande
646/508-3303
www.fb.com/julieshandmadenoodles

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We’re not going to discuss the San Antonio-Austin foodie debates, but we will be the bigger city and thank our South Texas neighbor for hosting the first iteration of Karam’s Tamales for more than 60 years. But they’re ours now. The eponymous menu items have a perfect ratio of filling to masa, and there’s also a dreamy guacamole tostada. We win.

7800 S. First
512/696-1373
www.karamstamales.com

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These trucks cater mainly to late night crowds looking for something to soak up the party, and the fluffy flat bread wraps do the trick. They come packed with tender, succulent meat or falafel and abundant tangy cucumber tzatziki sauce. Lighter fare includes hummus with pita triangles and a Turk salad. – Claudia Alarcón

1720 Barton Springs Rd.
512/394-6562
www.kebabalicious.com

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On the scene since 2006, this favorite with a cult following cooks up Turkish-style wraps. You choose the heat level, and they’ll take care of the rest. It’s the fresh-made falafel, though, that gets noncarnivores nomming just as happily. Extra: The zucchini fries, available only on Tuesdays, are alone worth a trip.

Third & Congress
512/394-6562
www.kebabalicious.com

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A relative newcomer to the Austin barbecue landscape, Kerlin BBQ promises a transcendent brisket experience without the Franklin-esque wait. Word on the street is that Bill Kerlin also makes a mean blue cheese coleslaw. – Melanie Haupt

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Nestled in the cutest little turquoise school bus off Airport, this bright jewel-toned Instagram darling delivers as much substance as style, with Austin-influenced spins on Peruvian flavors. Think yucca hummus with white miso and kale chimichurri, or eggs Benedict with boar instead of bacon.

828 Airport
512/730-0253
www.killawasiatx.com

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Peruvian food ain’t just ceviche, and chef Kati Luedecke will gladly introduce you to the wide range of bright flavors and bold ingredients Lima is known for. The aji amarillos, ubiquitous in Peru, are bountiful here, too, sliding perfect amounts of flavor and heat into this inspired, must-try Peruvian-Texan menu.

828 Airport
512/730-0253
www.killawasiatx.com

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It might be an island thing, but Kreyol Korner’s gourmet Caribbean combinations have become an Austin thing. Specializing in Haitian dishes, they are bringing the Creole culture to Texas with their fresh herbs and spices and options like fried pork shoulder or legume combo plates with red beans & rice and plantains.

805 Stark
512/596-0094
fb.com/caribbeancuisineatx

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Having recently upgraded her trailer and completed a culinary degree, chef Nahika Hillery impresses customers with Haitian fare that is difficult to find in Texas. Griot (fried pork shoulder), mayi moulin (Haitian grits), soup joumou (traditional Haitian beef and pumpkin soup), fresh guava punch, and fried sweet plantains stand out, but the rice and beans alone are enough to keep folks coming back.

805 Stark
512/596-0094
fb.com/caribbeancuisineatx

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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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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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Holy mackerel! It's difficult not to use a few mild expletives when describing Kyoten's battera. It's that dang good. That perfect cuts of extraordinarily fresh, ecologically responsible fish can come out of a tiny kitchen is perhaps our town's best indication that we're not quite done with food trucks.

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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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It’s hard to improve on the art of traditional Texas barbecue, so the way to stand out from the salt-and-pepper-rubbed masses is to reinvent the brisket. LeRoy & Lewis do just that, using left-field proteins like beef tongue and eschewing beans and slaw for inventive sides like barbecue fried rice.

121 Pickle Rd.
512/945-9882
www.leroyandlewis.com

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Yes, this food truck’s slogan boasts “New school barbecue and old school service,” but don’t let that first part scare you: It’s traditional ’cue done even better, with alternative cuts of meat and modern twists on side dish classics that keep winning awards year after year.

121 Pickle Rd.
512/945-9882
www.leroyandlewis.com

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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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When this vegetarian pizza trailer ditched the dairy for an all-vegan menu last fall, Austin vegans rejoiced. But herbivore or not, their house-made vegan mozzarella is unparalleled, as are pies like the Meat Out (who knew beeteroni was so satisfyingly delicious?) and VBR (verde bianco rosso) with balsamic glaze, roasted garlic, and fresh arugula.

440 E. St. Elmo Ste. A-1
512/993-8998
www.lilnonnas.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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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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Gluten-free, grain-free, but definitely not cheese-free, Lua Brazil offers cheese bread that is a pull-apart globe of satisfaction. They’ve also recently begun offering tapi-tacos, which are exactly what you would expect, except the “tortilla” is made out of tapioca flour.

517 N. I-35
www.luabrazil.com

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Perched next to the Tiniest Bar in Texas, Lucky Puccia's (pronounced poo-chah) cranks out some of the city's heartiest sandwiches on toothsome traditional bread with wood-burning flavor. Order from the menu or build your own, but be sure to try the Puccia Contadina with sliced turkey, provolone, arugula, tomato, and olive tapenade. Feeling lucky, indeed. – Gracie Salem

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The inventive, and frankly brilliant, chef Luke Bibby helms this exemplary trailer, where he dishes up gourmet "griddled" sandwiches, fascinating appetizers, and culinary whims such as homemade peppermint ice cream sandwiches and kimchi empanadas. – Kate Thornberry

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This tiny trailer is the definition of culinary fun. Empanadas, French bread sandwiches, pho, puffy tacos, handmade sausage – you name it, remarkable chef Luke Bibby is ecstatic to be cooking it up for his ardent fanbase. – Kate Thornberry

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In a town oversaturated with food trucks, Luke's has not only withstood the test of time, but sets itself apart. From sharable appetizers to an array of sandwiches – plus a hangover-curing brunch and daily specials like Cajun gumbo or duck confit – chef Luke Bibby definitely has it going on.

CLOSED

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The stretch of South Lamar where chef Luke Bibby has set up camp has changed a lot in the past few years, but his trailer still feels like old Austin. Serving sandwiches and daily specials brimming with international ingredients, Luke’s is a testament to what our town has always been about: friendliness, creativity, and fierce individuality.

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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.

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This trailer is the place to go for piggy sloppy sandwiches that make you lick your fingers and dream of more. Meats are cured in-house and almost everything is made from scratch. – Rachel Feit

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For three blissful hours a day, Tuesday through Saturday, savvy Austinites have at their disposal some of the best deli food south of the Mason-Dixon. The house-cured pastrami, pork belly confit, and roast beef are transcendent; what's more, they're all cured in-house at this upstart little trailer. – Melanie Haupt

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Deli food isn't a particularly hot topic on the Austin dining scene, but Melvin's is an example of why we should be paying closer attention. For a little over two years, Melinda and Kevin Ellis have mastered the art of the monster sandwich, from house-cured pastrami Reubens to delightfully gooey croque monsieurs. Wear your loosest pants for lunch.

CLOSED

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Tom Micklethwait's vintage 1960 Comet food trailer is cranking out some of the best smoked sausages in the ATX, not to mention the superb pork, chicken, ribs, and brisket; among the elite of the Austin barbecue scene. –Mick Vann

1309 Rosewood
512/791-5961
craftmeatsaustin.com/

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The recent winner of the inaugural Austin Chronicle Invitational BBQ Beef Rib Smackdown, Micklethwait's meats smoke out of a vintage refurbished trailer and romance the city with hand-crafted sausages, succulent pork loin, melt-in-your-mouth brisket, and sides that rival those of any barbecue dynasty. Both consistently creative specials and time-honored favorites abound, including homemade bread and desserts. – Jessi Cape

1309 Rosewood
512/791-5961
craftmeatsaustin.com/

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Try Tom's sublime lamb with Aleppo pepper, or his exquisite, peppery, garlicky kielbasa.

1309 Rosewood
512/791-5961
craftmeatsaustin.com/

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Not only did the little acorn-adorned trailer survive its 2nd anniversary, they've busted through Austin's barbecue clique barriers. Rumor has it this list-topper is luring the cognoscenti with mouthwatering brisket, specialty sausages, and jalapeño cheese grits. Plus, with occasional live music, craft beer, and sweet treats like house-made moonpies, it's a real good time.

1309 Rosewood
512/791-5961
craftmeatsaustin.com/

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Everything is made from scratch at this renowned barbecue spot, from the smoked meats to the jalapeño cheese grits to the peanut butter pie. They may be known for the ever-changing sausage menu, but the sides are real good, too. (We’ll see you in Smithville soon.)

1309 Rosewood
512/791-5961
craftmeatsaustin.com/

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Jeff Blank's tortilla wraps, filled with proteins coated in breakfast cereal, took off like an Austin street-food comet. You've probably had one at ACL or SoCo; now they are at the Rancho Rita trailer park and just as popular as ever. – Mick Vann

1720 Barton Springs
512/383-9609
www.mightycone.com

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Looking for some pasta baby this evening? There's no need to eat your heart out. Patrizi's rolls and cooks their semolina pasta to order, then tops it with gremolata, ricotta, or coddled egg. We like cacio e pepe the best. Those noodles don't need another thing.

2307 Manor Rd.
512/522-4834
www.patrizis.com

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Embodying the idea that simplicity is a marker of sophistication, the made-to-order fresh pasta is one of our favorites in town. Open for dinner, the unassuming food truck in the Butterfly Bar courtyard boasts house-made ricotta, local veggies and eggs, and dishes designed around time-honored family flavors. The Pomodoro's roasted romas and garlic confit is worth a weekly trip.

2307 Manor Rd.
512/522-4834
www.patrizis.com

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On a spring evening, there is something magical about sipping on a glass of rosé and watching the neighborhood go by. But if you live in certain parts of East Austin, you want to be able to see it from your front porch. The gang is all at Patrizi’s, scarfing down handmade semolina pasta with vibrant pomodoro and beef fat toast covered with grana at a boho backyard party where everybody gets an invitation.

2307 Manor Rd.
512/522-4834
www.patrizis.com

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Fresh pasta, pork, lemon, tomato, egg yolk, cheese – Patrizi’s doesn’t overcomplicate the simplistic and breezy nature of Italian food. There’s almost always a line, but the outdoor seating also has a real “Grandma’s porch” vibe going on, so it’s actually the perfect place to relax. Sorry, we just made your Sunday plans.

2307 Manor Rd.
512/522-4834
www.patrizis.com

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You think this truck-based Italian joint in the Vortex yard, this extension of Nic and Matt Patrizi’s grandfather’s culinary legacy, features some of the best pasta-forward noms in our embiggening metroplex? Just wait ’til you check out their upcoming brick-and-mortar next to Dai Due.

2307 Manor Rd.
512/522-4834
www.patrizis.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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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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Even nonvegans rave about Plow Burger, which now boasts two food trailer locations (at Buzz Mill Coffee and the Flag Store of Hyde Park). With Beyond Meat patties, gooey vegan cheese, chef Isaac Mogannam’s version of special sauce, and weekly specials often featuring local makers, it’s finger-lickin’ vegan junk food for the masses.

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So, you’re by a pool … and you want a burger? If you’re near Deep Eddy, you’re in luck: This part-permanently-parked-Airstream/part-cinderblock-and-jukebox hang zone sits between the popular spring-fed pond and Deep Eddy Cabaret. It’s best you add crinkle-cut fries to your choice of tasty buns and Wagyu beef patties, along with tiki drinks, craft beer, and more. So. Very. Austin.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd.
512/334-9747
www.poolburger.com

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Chef Deepa Shridhar designed her “low country Indian meets Hill Country Texan” menu using only local, seasonal ingredients. It changes often, but features dishes like spicy Caesar salad with sourdough roti churros, barbecue lamb dirty rice, and signature roti tacos, samosa pies, and naan croissants.

12521 Twin Creeks Rd.
Manchaca
www.puli-ra.com

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Cheeky chef Erica Waksmunski gave the Austin restaurant scene an old-fashioned poke in the eye with the launch of Red Star. From quirky vegan renditions of meatloaf to fried chicken that would bring a tear to your mee-maw's eye, this Airstream transports you to the Southern upbringing you never had.

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Donuts by day, burgers by night? Republic Diner pulls off the Two-Face look nicely. Starting at 5am, you can get fresh, marvelous donuts like bourbon vanilla glaze and peach cake. Then at night, the place flips and serves a delightful smashed burger on a potato roll. Republic is the trailer Gotham deserves.

1401 E. Seventh
www.instagram.com/republicdineratx

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Baja cuisine in an office park might be a surprise, but Rosarito brings ocean cuisine to various parts of Austin every day. Items like the ahi tuna tostada and tempura-fried fish taco satisfy a certain craving, but the chile relleno taco is Mexican vegetarian done right.

Various locations
www.rosaritoatx.com

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One of the pioneers of the food truck craze, this East Riverside hole-in-the-wall specializes in tacos al pastor, made the proper way on a traditional trompo rotisserie. The brick-and-mortar location has an ample menu, but the star attraction is the late-night tacos sold from the trailer in the parking lot. – Claudia Alarcón

1911 E. Riverside
512/442-8402
www.rositasalpastor.com

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True to its namesake, this longtime stand dishes out (dare we claim) the very best tacos al pastor in town. Their succulent yet crispy red-tinged pork is so good that some of the Chronicle Food section writers have been known to battle I-35 rush-hour traffic for a taste.

1911 E. Riverside
512/442-8402
www.rositasalpastor.com

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“It’s the best al pastor, ain’t it, Sheriff?” “If it ain’t, it’ll do ’til the best gets here.” Rosita’s has more than seasoned pork on a spit, but even if it didn’t, it would still be worth a visit to Riverside. Sometimes, the best is enough.

1911 E. Riverside
512/442-8402
www.rositasalpastor.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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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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After less than a year on the highly competitive Austin restaurant scene, Sassy’s has proven you can serve up all the comforts of soul food without meat and from a food trailer. Owned by local blues singer Andrea Dawson, Sassy’s is an homage to Black Southern food culture – from fried cabbage and cornbread to Dawson’s special Chicon N Waffles, a vegan dish that has even the carnivores raving.

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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.

CLOSED

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This truck boosts small-batch, artisan saucemakers by showcasing their low-heat sauces (pepper, BBQ, and salsas) at their sauce bar, complete with free tours. In the same shady space, guests can mix-and-match their way through a chef-driven, snacky menu created to be a canvas for the sauces. Rotisserie chicken and root vegetables are the big draws here, as well as a daily “world nacho” option. No matter what, don’t skip the foamy tea.

CLOSED

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Most famous for their vegan Reuben, this all-vegetarian Jewish deli trailer is almost out of sight behind Farewell Books and Flat Track Coffee, but serves up some of the best falafel this side of the Mediterranean. Rotating varieties of homemade kombucha and an incredible vegan potato salad seal the deal for one of our favorite lunch spots.

CLOSED

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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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This “shamelessly inauthentic Southeast Asian” trailer slings bites that are salty, spicy, sweet, and sour – in other words, perfect drinking food. Which works out well, considering Soursop is parked in the backyard of the burgeoning St. Elmo Brewing Company. The fatty pork, panang eggplant, and flaky roti with a dipping curry are crave-worthy – with or without a beer.

440 E. St. Elmo, Bldg. G-2
www.soursopaustin.com

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Soursop is the trap music of Austin food trucks, and it’s far too melodious and hype to be held down by its current food truck medium. This Pan-Asian nano-sized masterpiece is a sophisticatedly layered smash-hit of kick drum percussion and 808 bass samples like char siu pork belly, Thai chile sambal wings, kaeng kua barbecue sticky ribs, and the occasional salt/pepper chicken or cheesy lamb tots one-off. Grab a dead-cold Carl Kolsch inside hosting hot spot St. Elmo Brewery to complete the collab.

440 E. St. Elmo, Bldg. G-2
www.soursopaustin.com

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Yes, we’re shameless hams for Soursop. We write about ’em every year and dammit, you’re gonna hear about ’em again this year, too. Soursop’s overall generalities haven’t changed – they still operate out of the backyard of St. Elmo, they still sling the city’s best pan-Asian fare, and they still pair best with a Carl Kolsch – but it is the culinary minutiae that keep it all fresh, dynamic, and interesting. From the Pho-Tine 2.0 tater tots (grade A drunk food, please believe) to the SopBurger with Swiss cheese and onions roasted in bacon fat, we just can’t stop ourselves from being annually impressed.

440 E. St. Elmo, Bldg. G-2
www.soursopaustin.com

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Spicy Boys, parked at Zilker Brewing, is the second endeavor from the team behind Soursop. If that alone isn’t enough of an endorsement that you immediately need a pint of Marco IPA and whatever delicious commodities Spicy Boys are pushing (spicy fried chicken!), then how about some iron law suggestions from us: sambal jumbo wings, a leg quarter of fried chicken, a hot gai sandwich, and (listen up, this is critical) a side of roti and a Zilker seasonal to cool you off between bites. That should hold you over until breakfast.

1701 E. Sixth
www.spicyboyschicken.com/home

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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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Fried chicken. It’s a simple concept, and one not restricted to omnivores. Get it in three forms at the Sundaze food truck: sandwich, nugget, and wing. There is crunchy, breaded, peppery fried chicken and homemade seitan No Frick’n Chick’n (for the vegans).

2323 S. Lamar
512/999-1988
www.sundazetx.com

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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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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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Thai-Kun's uncompromising cuisine should come with a warning. When they say "hot," they don't mean a deseeded jalapeño was chopped somewhere within a three-mile vicinity of the truck. They mean that they used enough heat to get your endorphins going. Few other Austin restaurants can get you that high.

1816 E. Sixth (at Whisler's)
512/422-5884
thaikun.com/

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Chef Ray Tatum's porkalicious sliders and crackling meatloaf are sublime, as is his Asian fried chicken. Get a pairing suggestion from East End Wines and enjoy dining on the lovely patio. – Virginia B. Wood

1209 Rosewood
512/653-5088
www.3littlepigsaustin.com

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Chef Raymond Tatum, formerly of Jeffrey's, churns out gourmet trailer fare with a South­ern soul-Asian fusion twist. Think maple-glazed pork belly sliders; bacon-wrapped, cracklin-studded pork meatloaf; and Asian fried chicken. Also, homemade pies. – Melanie Haupt

1209 Rosewood
512/653-5088
www.3littlepigsaustin.com

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With most of Austin’s Filipino restaurants located north of the river, Tito Adobo’s south location is something we all need (and want). The tangy adobo fried rice and purple yam ube horchata are the perfect primer to the delicious playground that is Filipino-American cuisine.

2201 S. First
512/971-5884
www.fb.com/titoadoboatx

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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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In Texas, eschewing barbecue traditions is risky, but Valentina’s pulls off the rare feat of marrying tortillas and smoked meats with such finesse that even the grouchiest salt-and-pepper stalwarts could be convinced that fusion isn’t a dirty word. Bonus points for bringing barbecue into the realm of breakfast and offering the best pre-11am brisket in town.

308 S. Main St.
Buda
www.valentinastexmexbbq.com

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If Valentina’s were on RuPaul’s Drag Race, we would pronounce “shante, you stay.” If it were on Survivor, we’d vote to keep it on the island. Whatever the reality, we’d bet that the humble trailer could win any competition – especially when it brings out those brisket breakfast tacos.

308 S. Main St.
Buda
www.valentinastexmexbbq.com

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If Valentina’s doesn’t scream “puro Tejas,” we don’t know what does. From the handmade tortillas to the expertly smoked brisket, this food trailer-turned-restaurant is the epitome of Texas foodways. One Real Deal Holyfield and you’re fixed for the day – not that you’ll want to stop at one.

308 S. Main St.
Buda
www.valentinastexmexbbq.com

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When a food truck can take the Tex, add it to the Mex, and slather the whole thing in barbecue goodness, that’s a magical thing. Now, with Valentina’s set to move into a proper restaurant, the culinary wizardry is guaranteed to continue. May the serving of brisket tacos never cease.

308 S. Main St.
Buda
www.valentinastexmexbbq.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.

308 S. Main St.
Buda
www.valentinastexmexbbq.com

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The newest kid on the North Loop block proves itself a master with Vietnamese sandwiches that epitomize the flawless combo of spicy, fatty, and crunchy. If the baguette-enveloped tour de force isn’t your thing, opt for a vermicelli bowl or the pork egg rolls, but always, always say yes to extra house-made hot sauce.

201 E. 53rd
512/593-1615
www.vanbanhmi.com

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Van’s Báhn Mì is a slice of Vietnamese comfort food located in the heart of North Loop. With daily fresh-baked bread and meats flame-grilled to order, this little trailer serves up three different kinds of Vietnamese sandwiches, along with mouthwatering egg rolls and vermicelli plates for non-sandwich folks. Now all you have to decide is whether to order them with pork, shrimp, chicken, or vegetables.

201 E. 53rd
512/593-1615
www.vanbanhmi.com

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The Grilled Avocado Reale – a grilled avocado, black bean, and caramelized onion combo on a corn tortilla with creamy salsa verde – is so satisfying that carnivores won't even notice the cheese is vegan.

2324 E. Cesar Chavez
512/497-3147

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With an emphasis on organic, local, and non-GMO, this trailer isn't just for hipsters and hippies. Made-from-scratch, cruelty-free sandwiches, tacos, and chalupas await even the most virulent of meat lovers. For instant karma, hit up the Freeto Burrito. – Anna Toon

2324 E. Cesar Chavez
www.theveganyacht.com

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The absolute best pizza in East Austin – and South Austin, too (see their setup at the Red Shed Tavern) – comes out of this trailer, owned and operated by Detroit natives Zane and Brandon Hunt, who have thankfully introduced me to the wonders of Motor City-style pizza. I am officially an addict. – Claudia Alarcón

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Cuddled up to the Violet Crown Social Club, Via 313 doles out four square "corner" slices per pie in styles like the Cadillac, with gorgonzola, fig, prosciutto, Parmesan, and a balsamic glaze. Pizza bakes in steel pans originally used on automotive assembly lines from the Motor City. – Gracie Salem

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The Detroit-style pizzeria has us hooked on their foccacia-style four-cornered crusts and caramelized-cheese edges. Combinations like prosciutto, fig, gorgonzola, and balsamic glaze have us lined up at this trailer, often 10 people deep, regardless if it's 40 degrees out or 100. A second trailer on Rainey Street now means more bar-hoppers get a piece of the pie.

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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

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Sarah Lindsey spent over eight years developing recipes at Royal Blue Grocery before she opened this restored 1949 railway car as a grab-and-go scratch kitchen about four miles from the Y in Oak Hill. Specializing in rotisserie chickens, porchetta, and roast lamb – all from local farms – plus soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts, the menu is designed for takeaway. There’s also some seating, which makes it a great pit stop on a winery tour day.

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