The first time I ever ate from a food truck was on the North Shore of Oahu. The white catering food truck, covered in graffiti, looked scary. But once I tasted the hot and greasy garlic shrimp — served with a side of white rice — I knew what all the fuss was about.
When we returned back to California, my husband chef Jason Hill, was determined to start his own food truck business, selling hot soups to hungry skiers and snowboarders. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any food trucks for sale, and the county nixed the idea.
Los Angeles is another story. Today, its mobile food truck business is a thriving venture, drawing business away from frou-frou restaurants and back to the streets.
Last month, during a visit to the La Brea Tar Pits on Wilshire Blvd., I stopped by my old office on Miracle Mile to discover about 20 mobile food trucks swarming with office workers. Back in the early 90s, our lunch options within walking distance were only Marie Callendars and Al Amir.
Today, the concession food truck business rules — with more varieties and styles of cuisine than you can imagine. During our visit, guests had several hot food trucks to choose from. Burgers? Check. Brazilian? Check. Fresh-made Japanese sushi? You bet.
Since the local restaurants suffer from this take-away business, the LA food truck scene is always changing. Many of the best food trucks are savvy to this, posting their latest locations on Twitter or Facebook. The mobile food truck business is certainly booming, with a Aug. 28 "OC Foodie Fest" food truck convention at Honda Center, and a new Food Network TV show titled "The Great Food Truck Race."
Following is a list of some of our favorite LA food trucks, along with links to their current locations and their LA food truck menus. To learn more about the vending food truck business, check out Road Stoves or Frysmith for the latest food truck rules and regulations. There's an App for LA Street Food available on iTunes, but you can get most of the information here for free!
We welcome your suggestions and votes for the best food trucks in LA (along with your favorite dishes) at CaliforniaTravelExpert.com!
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LA Food Truck Guide
Ahn Joo LA Truck
This mobile take on Korean pub grub includes everything from Robata skewers and Korean potstickers with housemaid kimchee to spicy chilled buckwheat noodles and Fuji apple egg rolls. Interesting takes on the Ahn Joo menu include Korean Nachos (topped with smoky chile queso, soy braised pork and kimchee salsa) to the Mama Lee's Meatloaf (filled with ground rib-eye steak, soy-onion demiglace and crispy shiitake mushrooms. Start with their Curry Bean Hummus served with Wonton Crostinis, and finish with the Grilled Nutella Bhang, topped with seasonal berries.
Baby's Bad Ass Burgers Truck
Serving up "doubly delicious" burgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches for a hungry crowd. Specialties include the Cougar Burger (served with aged beef, St. Andre cheese and black truffles), the Original Beauty (with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms and special sauce) and the She's Smokin' Chicken Sandwich (served with BBQ sauce, smoked cheddar and crispy onions).
Barbie's Q Truck
Blues and BBQ truck serving up their famous hand-pulled sandwiches (your choice of pulled pork, shredded bbq beef, chopped smoked chicken and veggie BBQ), their famous St. Louis Ribs, and down-home side dishes like grits & greens, cheesy grits, collard greens and Mac & Jack. Their BBQ beans, potato salad and cole slaw are also good.
Bool BBQ Truck
Korean BBQ, tacos and pastels on the go. This fusion-style cuisine takes its inspiration from the staples of central and south America.
Buttermilk Truck
Buttermilk is the key ingredient in every dish on the truck, from their savory buttermilk biscuits and savory pastries, to their buttermilk pancakes, waffles and donuts. Other breakfast items include Hawaiian Breakfast Sliders (stuffed with Portuguese sausage, sauteed onions and shoe scrambled eggs) to their Southwest Veggie Omelet, stuffed with cilantro, jalapenos, tomatoes and sauteed onions. They also have a late-night dinner menu featuring buttermilk fried chicken.
Border Grill Truck
“Too Hot Tamales” Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have taken their haute Mexican cuisine on the road with a tasty selection of gourmet tacos, quesadillas and ceviches. Start with one of their tortilla "cones" filled with a Peruvian ceviche, lime, aji amarillo chiles, pickled onions and ginger. All of the tacos are great, whether you choose their Yucatan Pork, Cilantro Chicken, Potato Rajas or Carne Asada. Their crispy Baja fish tacos are topped with a creamy salsa fresca and chipotle honey. Be sure to ask for a side of parsley and cumin-scented fries, served with chipotle ketckup. The dulce-de-lechue Churro Tots, dusted with cinnamon sugar and whipped cream, are a sweet finale.
Burger Bus Truck
The Burger Bus Truck has the same philosophy as In-N-Out: keep it simple with only the freshest local ingredients. All of their ground beef is 100 percent grass-fed, hormone-free beef from the Shalhoob Meat Company. Their cheese comes from the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, and their bread (made by Our Daily Bread in Santa Barbara), is a fresh-baked ciabatta. All of their produce, from the ripe red tomatoes, to the sweet grilled onions, come direct from The Berry Man. The Burger Bus menu includes their signature CB&J (a 1/3-pound hamburger patty topped with sweet grilled onions, melted cheese and fruit preserves), a Falafel Sandwich (made with fresh garbanzo beans and topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and a creamy peanut sauce), and The Pesto Burger (topped with grilled onions, tomatoes, cheddar cheese and homemade pesto). Be sure to order a side of their yam fries or fried pickle chips.
Cart For a Cause Truck
Top celebrity chefs prepare the meals for this non-profit organization supporting St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. Participating chefs have included Brandon Boudet of Dominicks/Little Doms (serving up spaghetti and meatballs; baby heirloom tomato and burrata cheese bruschetta and sabe-glazed beef brisket with Tuscan Kale) and Chef Michael Fiorelli of Terranea Resort's Mar'sel restaurant. Your $10 includes the meal, drink and a cookie. What's best? Your money helps to feed one homebound senior for an entire day.
Canters Truck
The mobile version of LA's famous Canter's Deli serves up an abbreviated menu of Jewish food including their famous matzoh ball soup, potato pancakes with sour cream or apple sauce, and lox and bagels, topped with cream cheese and onions. Sandwiches, like the pastrami, corned beef and reubens, are served with a pickle and your choice of potato salad and cole slaw.
Comfort Truck
Chef Brian Hill specializes in California comfort food, serving up seven types of beef or chicken sliders (served fried or sauteed), along with a few wraps. Mary J. Blige raves about their golden fried chicken wingettes and homemade tortilla chips.
Calbi BBQ Truck
Fusion tacos and burritos are on the menu here. Their signature dish is the Calbi BBQ Taco, filled with grilled marinated Korean short ribs, fresh vegetables and Romaine lettuce with a secret house sauce. Tofu and shrimp tacos are available for vegetarians. Be sure to also try the Kimchee Quesadillas.
Chili Addiction Food Truck
If you like chili, you will certainly get a spicy kick out of the Chili Addicition truck, serving up more than 90 types of chili to the adoring masses. Everything is made in-house, from their homemade hot dogs and chicken sausages, to their gourmet ice creams and sorbets. In addition to their traditional Chili Addiction menu, there are always new surprises, from the Aztec Gold Chili, made with chicken hominy and Chimayo chiles, to the vegan "Habanero Habit," made with habaneros, mangoes, bananas and other tropical tastes. Think you can handle the heat? Try their Dish Wish Chili, made with the Ghost Pepper (the world's hottest pepper). Chili Addiction has become so popular that they opened their first brick-and-mortar location at 408 N. La Cienega Blvd. (323) 203-1793. Cool Haus Truck
Choose your favorite cookie and favorite ice cream and then make an ice cream sandwich at this cool ice cream truck in Los Angeles. Cookie flavors include chocolate, chocolate chip, ginger, oatmeal, snickerdoodle and brioche, while the ice creams might include a sea salt caramel, brown butter with candied bacon, cabernet/Lambrusco, matcha green tea or chocolate chipotle. You can't go wrong with any of the choices.
Crepes Bonaparte Truck
Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, you'll find a crepe for the occasion at this popular crepe food truck. Try the Ranchero Breakfast Crepe (stuffed with eggs, chipotle, mozzarella, grilled onions and bell peppers) or go big with the Baby Bleu Crepe (stuffed with chicken, blue cheese, spinach and raspberry vinaigrette). Sweet dessert crepes include the Spicy Apple Bottoms (filled with cooked cinnamon apples, caramel and whipped cream) or the PCH (stuffed with peanut butter, chocolate or Nutella, and honey).
Crepen Around Truck
Operated by Eileen and Joan DeLeoz, who got their inspiration for the truck while eating crepes under the Eiffel tower, this food truck specializes in crepes of every variety. Savory crepes include teriyaki flank steak, maple braised pork, and chicken pesto. For a sweet treat, try the S'more crepes, banana nutella crepes, or strawberries and cream.
Cupcakes A Go Go LA Truck
Pretty much every incarnation of cupcake you can imagine is served in LA's "cutest cupcake truck," ranging from spiced carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and chopped walnuts to rich dark chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream frosting and a raspberry.
Dogtown Dogs Truck
Gourmet hot dogs rule at this Venice-based food truck. Try the Trailer Trash Dog (topped with beef chili, nacho cheese and Frito's corn chips) or the Spicy Angeleno Dog (wrapped in bacon with tomatillo sauce, salsa fresco and topped with fried jalapenos).
Dogzilla Hot Dogs
Venice-based hot dog truck serving up unusual creations like Furikake Hot Dogs (served with teriyaki sauce, nori, grilled onions and furikake) and their signature Dogzilla dog (topped with bacon bits, Japanese mayo, caramelized onions, avocado and furikake).
Derb's Gourmet Treats Truck
Specializing in Pacific Rim cuisine, the menu includes pork tenderloin sandwiches, Killer Shrimp served in a spicy broth with bread, and Killer Kobe Beef Burgers, served with your choice of toppings.
Don Chow Tacos Truck
The spin here is Chinese-Mexican cuisine, namely tacos. Featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," the Don Chow Taco menu includes clever takes on tacos, burritos, tortas and quesadillas. Choose from traditional (carne aside, al pastor and lengua) or fusion (Chinese BBQ pork, soy ginger tofu, kung pao chicken or soy ginger shrimp). For something unique, try the Chimale, a Chinese-Mexican tamale stuffed with your choice or kung pao chicken or Chinese BBQ pork.
Dels LA Truck
Del's Frozen Lemonade Truck specializes in the best lemonade in LA — made with an Italian family recipe of filtered water, fruit juice and sugar. Del's LA lemonade flavors include lemon, watermelon, cherry, peach-mango, blueberry, pomegranate and grapefruit.
Dim Sum Truck
Enjoy Chinese dim sum on the go at this popular Chinese food truck in LA. Menu items include pan-fried pork spare rib buns, shrimp har gow dumplings, lotus-wrapped sticky rice, Chinese chicken salad and Peking duck tacos. Order the lunchbox with a selection of up to four dishes, including dessert.
Dosa Truck
The Dosa Truck specializes in "Ommmm good" Indian dosas, which are South Indian sourdough crepes made from lentils and rice flour. Take your choice of fillings, from smashed curried Indian potatoes, spinach, mushroom and cheese, to sweet potato masala. The Dosa Truck menu also includes samosas, masala fries, mango lassos and homemade ginger limeade.
Eat Phamish Truck
Vietnamese home cooking is the specialty of the house at Eat Phamish, which is famous for its Banh Mi sandwiches, Vietnamese spring rolls, pho and iced coffee.
Fishlips Sushi Truck
Enjoy fresh sushi to go at this popular LA sushi truck. The Fishlips Sushi menu includes standard favorites along with a few signature dishes. The Fish Lips Roll is served without rice in a soy protein sheet, stuffed with a mixture of avocado, asparagus, crab, tuna, cucumber, white fish and salmon. It's topped with tamari sauce, hot sauce and mayonnaise.
Fry Smith Truck
Craving French fries? Well, good. Because this French Fry food truck specializes in some of the best fries in LA, from Vegan Chili Fries made with soy chorizo, smoked paprika and organic tomato-based beans, to Kimchi Fries, topped with Kurobuta pork belly, grilled onions and melted cheddar cheese. The Fry Smith Menu also includes Chili Cheese Fries, made with their own beer and chocolate scented angus all beef chili atop sweet potato fries. The Poutine, made with Ballard Family Farms cheese curds, features a different rib-sticking gravy each day. For something for substantial (as if fries weren't enough) try the Triple Sesame Steak and Fry Wrap, which features marinated skirt steak and French fries wrapped in a lavash tortilla with baby spinach, pickled red onions and Jack cheese. It's topped with tahini-sesame sauce and sesame seeds.
Flying Pig Truck
I was expecting this food truck to serve up Southern-style pulled pork, but actually it's known for its Asian-French cuisine. Run by two Le Cordon Bleu graduates, The Flying Pig menu includes Peanut Butter Carnitas (featuring slow-cooked pork butt with cilantro, scallions and red curry satay in a tortilla), Tamarind Duck with pickled red beets, toasted almonds, radish sprouts and Tamarind Gravy, and Beef and Pork Sliders, stuffed with red onion escabeche, pickled sesame cucumber and banana mustard on a toasted Hawaiian roll.
Franken Stand Truck
This spooky Frankstein-themed food truck specializes in plant-based gourmet franks topped with your choice of trimmings. Choose from jalapenos, sauerkraut, diced onions, chopped cilantro, pickles and more, along with your choice of sauce (ketchup, Vegenaise, spicy brown mustard, yellow mustard or hot sauce). The Franken's menu has such fun offerings as "The Wolf," a zesty frank made with chipotle peppers, or "The Witch," made with tofu and Full Sail Ale. Their signature "Franken" dog features a blend of sun dried tomatoes and basil.
Get Shaved Truck
This LA shaved ice truck specializes in a simple menu with multiple flavors. Choose from espresso coffee, coconut pineapple and macadamia nut ice creams (among many others) or fruit fruit shaved ice in all the flavors of the rainbow, from blueberry and kiwi to mango, pineapple and raspberry.
Greasy Wiener Truck
All beef hot dogs topped with gourmet ingredients. Try the Bacon Chili Cheesy, a greasy dog wrapped in hickory smoked bacon and topped with homemade chili, cheese sauce, mustard, sauteed onions and pickles. The Greasy Hippie features a veggie dog.
Grill Em All Truck
With "two dudes, a truck and a megaphone," this mobile food truck certainly commands attention. Painted with heavy metal Hessian art, the black truck looks ominous, but the food is simple and good. The Grill Em All menu of burgers includes the Molly Hatchet (topped with seared fennel smoked sausage gravy, applewood smoked bacon and maple syrup), the Blue Cheer (with cranberry gastrique, maytag blue cheese spread, and Munchos potato chips) and the Behemoth (topped with smoked cheddar, applewood smoked bacon and and beer-soaked onions.
Grill Masters LA Truck
This gourmet food truck specializes in corn-fed, free-range rotisserie chicken, along with several other gourmet meals, ranging from filet mignon to pan-seared salmon.
Green Truck
A favorite of movie producers and film crews, the Green Truck serves up organic gourmet food in a solar powered commissary. The Green Truck menu includes their signature Vegan "Mother Trucker," served on a whole wheat bun with their signature sauce; an Israeli Falafel Wrap, served with fresh cut tomatoes and cool cucumber tzatziki, and sustainably harvested fresh fish tacos, topped with avocado creme and pico de gallo.
Great Balls On Tires Truck
For some of the best meatballs in LA, check out this mobile food truck, which can be found cruising around locations from Miracle Mile through Century City. The Great Balls on Tires menu, at under $7 per meal, caters to meat-eaters and vegetarians. Try the IncrediBall (made with ground kobe beef, applewood smoked bacon, gruyere cheese and garlic aioli on a toasted brioche) or the Ballywood (a mixture of garam masala chicken with coconut Madras curry, crispy fried onions, tomato and cilantro chutneys and saffron basmati rice).
Grilled Cheese Truck
Who doesn't love a grilled cheese? This mobile grilled cheese truck specializes in America's favorite comfort food, made several ways. The Grilled Cheese Truck menu serves up classic grilled cheese (with your choice of American, sharp cheddar, double cream brie or gruyere) between French or wheat bread. But for something different, try their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, which include the Cheesy Mac and Rib (served with BBQ pork and caramelized onions), the Brie Melt (with sliced pears, honey and smoked turkey on cranberry walnut bread) or the Harvest Melt (with roasted butternut squash, sauteed leeks, balsamic vinegar and agave syrups). Their Dessert Melt is stuffed with roasted bananas, Nutella hazelnut spread and melted marshmallows. Yum!
Gourmet on Wheels Truck
Enjoy cheese and charcuterie from around the globe at this gourmet mobile food truck. The Gourmet on Wheels menu includes free-range local poultry from Jidori, grass-fed beef from Estancia, and natural free-range pork, and lamb cuts from Niman ranch. Ask them about their mobile cheese tasting events, which includes a presentation of cheese history and facts along with a sampling of 5-7 cheeses and charcuterie.
Gastro Bus Truck
The Gastro Bus Truck, run by a former Wolfgang Puck chef, is often found throughout Studio City, UCLA, Hollywood and Los Feliz. The Gastro Bus Truck menu is a basic blend of soups, salads and sandwiches, prepared to order. Choose from their tuna melt, made with rosemary, sweet onions and Swiss cheese, or the Thai Chicken Wrap, stuffed with Romaine lettuce, spinach, mint and basil. Be sure to order a side of sweet potato fries with honey mustard sauce.
Hot Peppa Steppa Truck
This Jamaican LA food truck, also known as "Granny's Truck," specializes in mobile Caribbean cuisine, from brown stew fish and Ital stew to Jamaican Jerk Chicken and a variety of Caribbean patties topped with fire sauce.
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India Jones Truck
The India Jones Chow Truck is all about Indian food, serving the greater Los Angeles area and beach communities. You can't go wrong with anything on the India Jones menu, from Chef Sumant's samosa springs rolls and mango baby back ribs, to their "Frankie" roti roll, stuffed with chopped onions, egg, cilantro-tamarind chutney and your choice of lamb, chicken, beef, shrimp, paneer or mushrooms and cheese. Be sure to order a mango lassi to wash it all down.
I Heart Schnitzel Truck
This LA Schnitzel wagon serves up fresh, made-to-order schnitzel, an Austrian specialty of fried and breaded cutlets served with a side of lemon wedges and Austrian potato salad.
Kabob N Roll Truck
Fresh Mediterranean food is the focus of the Kabob N Roll food truck, which offers both vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Specials include the kabob plates (made with beef, chicken, shrimp, lamb or falafel) and served with a side of green salad, grilled vegetables, hummus, basmati rice and pita bread. For something light, try the Mediterranean Salad, topped with mandarin orange, walnuts, feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette, or order a side of appetizers. Choices on the Kabob N Roll menu include hummus, baba ganoush, mini meat pies, triple-cheese cheesy rolls, dolmas and tabouli.
King Kone LA Truck
The King Kone ice cream truck specializes in soft-serve ice cream, dipped cones and milkshakes — perfect for hot LA summers or cold and rainy fall days. Operating out of a butter-yellow truck, King Kone has a loyal following of business people and movie folk. The King Kone menu sometimes varies by the season, but you can always count on such specialties as their Oreo Sundaes, Espresso milkshakes, banana splits and ice cream sandwiches. Try the Avalanche (which combines your choice of ice cream with Hawaiian shaved ice) or their Rocky Mountain Cone, featuring your choice of ice cream in a chocolate-dipped cone that's rolled in almonds. Seasonal favorites include their campfire (toasted marshmallow) and Mint Everest milkshakes.
Kogi BBQ Truck
The Kogi BBQ truck specializes in a fusion of Mexican and Korean cuisines, from their shortrib kimchi quesadilla to their calamari tacos. Simple and delicious, the Kogi BBQ truck menu is divided into tacos and burritos, prepared with your choice of short ribs, spicy pork, chicken, or tofu. Some of their specialties include the Black Jack Quesadilla (filled with spicy pork, caramelized onions, cheddar and jack cheeses, and salsa verde) and the Sweet Chili Chicken Quesadilla (made with caramelized onions, grilled chicken, and sweet Salsa Naranja). During the morning hours, ask for their special breakfast burritos, made with your choice of meat, plus hash browns, soft scrambled eggs and shredded cheddar and Jack cheese.
Komodo Food Truck
Serving up "dangerously good food" is the motto of this LA food truck, which specializes in tacos and burritos. Take your pick of the Komodo menu items, which include Fish N' Grapes (deep-fried Alaskan cod tossed with fresh grapes), the Blazin' Shrimp (spicy Singapore shrimp with sour cream salad) or the Java (Indonesian beef rendang with fresh cucumber salad), all wrapped in a tidy tortilla. Decadent side dishes include the garlic fries dusted with parmesan cheese, or the truffle fries, tossed in Italian truffle oil.
La Galette Creperie
This popular crepe food truck is known for its savory and sweet crepes. Try the Kansas City Chicken (made with maple barbecue sauce, roasted chicken breast, cilantro, caramelized onions, and jack cheese) or the Farrallon (made with sauteed mushrooms, sliced chicken breast, herbed potatoes and honey-rosemary sauce). For breakfast, the Sunday Brunch Crepe is filled with smoked salmon, fresh dill, creme fraiche and slivered red onion. Sweet crepes include your choice of duche de leche, nutella, molten chocolat and berries and cream.
Longboards Ice Cream Truck
This Orange County food truck, which makes appearances in LA, serves up popsicle-style ice creams (think Fudgsicles) in flavors including strawberries n cream, mango, lime, cookies n cream, chocolate and coconut. Just look for the vintage VW bus with the longboard on top. You can't miss it.
Lake Street Creamery Truck
This mobile gourmet ice cream parlour boasts only the freshest ingredients in their ice creams, sorbets and gelatos. Try a triple-scoop cone, served in a waffle bowl. Flavors are creative and inspiring. Try the donut (a cake donut in the form of ice cream), the Aztec Sacrifice (made with Ghiradelli chocolate, chiles and cayenne pepper), the Pancake Breakfast (tastes just like flapjacks, complete with maple syrup, real bacon and fresh-ground peaberry coffee!) Brave souls can try the Black Jack, made to taste just like black licorice. The ice cream floats are just as exciting. We're partial to the Jelly Donut, made with their donut ice cream and black cherry soda!
LA BBQ Guy Truck
The Spring Street Smoke House truck is all about the barbecue, serving such delights at the Pulled Pork Sandwiches (slow smoked with hickory and served with Carolina barbecue sauce), the BBQ sirloin sliders (topped with cheddar cheese, Romaine lettuce and smokehouse BBQ sauce) or the spicy, smoky Louisiana Chicken Links. All sandwiches are served on a toasted French bread roll with homemade corn bread slathered with honey butter and a side of sliced pickles. Be sure to save room for the Bourbon Bread Pudding, mixed with a sweet custard and topped with warm bourbon sauce. To cool off, be sure to add an order of their sweet iced mint tea.
Lees Philly Truck
The owners of Lee's Philly Gogi Truck were trained in Philadelphia to bring you their gourmet philly steak sandwiches. Other items include gogi-style tacos and burritos, so there's a little something for everyone. Loyal fans rave about their cheesesteak sandwiches, Korean philly cheesesteak and the bulgogi burritos, stuffed with kimchi, fried rice and melted cheese and topped with an avocado lime salsa.
Louks To Go Truck
This Greek food truck has a loyal following, serving up a menu that includes gyros, lamb chops, kabobs (chicken, pork or beef) and Greek salads. Try the Loukaniko Plate (made with Greek sausage and Feta cheese on a bed of fries) or the Loukomades (tiny donut balls topped with Nutella, powdered sugar, honey or strawberries). It's all good!
Lomo Arigato Truck
This Japanese-Peruvian food truck, run by chef Eric Nakata, is known for its passionate creations of mobile street food. The signature dish here is Lomo Saltado, so be sure to check it out.
Mandoline Grill Truck
Serving up gourmet Vietnamese food, the Mandoline Grill Truck always aims to please. In addition to great Vietnamese cuisine, the Mandoline Grill menu includes several vegan-friendly dishes. Start with their Vietnamese Iced Coffee, and then follow with some of their Vietnamese Nachos, made with grilled meat (or tofu), scallions, jalapenos, chopped mint, cilantro and Sriracha aioli. Oh yeah! Tacos, Bun and Banh Mi round out the menu, made with your choice of lemongrass-marinated grilled pork, beef, Hawaiian BBQ chicken or Tofu.
Manila Machine Truck
One of LA's few Filipino food trucks, the Manila Machine aims to please with its delightful mix of lumpia, sisig and adobo dishes. Try their Original Manila Dip (a slider made with shredded chicken adobo, caramelized onions and adobo dipping sauce) or their Pork Belly and Pineapple Adobo (featuring braised pork belly in a vinegar-soy-pineapple sauce). For breakfast, you can't go wrong with their Pan Del Sal French toast, soaked in vanilla and orange custard. And yes, there's plenty of Spam on the menu.
Mattie's Kitchen Truck
The Mattie's Southern Kitchen Truck boasts a nice assortment of Southern cooking, made to order.
Munchie Machine Truck
The Munchie Machine food truck reminds me a lot of the Green Machine on those old "Scooby Doo" shows. In any case, the Munchie Machine menu features some great grub, ranging from hearty grilled deli sandwiches and their Croque De Munchie (filled with honey-glazed ham, fried egg, Dijon mustard and mayonnaise) to the PB2J (filled with peanut butter, jelly and sliced bananas). Sides include hot chili cheese fries or house-made S'mores, made with your choice of caramel, coconut or cinnamon marshmallows.
Mrs. Beasley's Bakery Truck
Founded in 1978, Mrs. Beasley's is a gourmet gifting company of Fresh Baked muffins, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and cakes. Check out their mobile van for a delicious assortment of cupcakes and mini muffins.
Nana Queens Truck
This mobile dessert truck specializes in 10 flavors of banana pudding, including Carnana (caramel and banana), Strawnana (strawberry and banana) and Nana Oh's (Oreo and banana). Start out the gluttony with a big batch of hot wings. It's all good.
NomNom Truck
This female-owned mobile food truck specializes in Vietnamese-inspired dishes throughout West Los Angeles and the greater Los Angeles area. The Nom Nom Truck menu is perhaps best known for their Banh Mi Vietnamese sandwiches and tacos, made with grilled pork, lemongrass chicken and vegetarian tofu.
No Reservations LA Catering Truck
This "bistro on wheels" is a gourmet food truck catering to the show biz scene. They are perhaps best known for their California-French fusion wraps, made with a variety of delicious fresh ingredients. You can't beat their unique names with dishes like "Silence of the Lambs" and "Rosemary's Baby."
Organic Oasis Truck
This organic food truck is the world's first solar-powered organic smoothie truck, featuring USDA certified organic raw and whole food ingredients. Try the frozen yogurt from Straus Family Creamery in Marshall, Calif., or their acai bowls. Flavors include red velvet, peanut butter cup, orangesicle and lemonberry. What's best? Proceeds benefit Heal the Bay.
Papas Tapas Truck
This Spanish food truck serves up tempting Spanish tapas to the masses. The menu is a veritable smorgasbord of Spanish cuisine, from their house-made paella to their patatas bravas with spicy sofrita. Loyal fans rave about their creamy croquetas and Spanish potato omelets. Try their bocadillos, a Spanish-style sandwich made with your choice of tri tip, chorizo or vegetables. Olé!
Patty Wagon LA Truck
This vintage-styled food truck only uses 100-percent grass-fed beef raised in Teton Valley, Idaho. Start with their homemade organic French fries, tossed with sea salt, garlic and rosemary; or check out the homemade dill pickles, marinated in their own house brine. Each slider has a clever and cute name inspired by a 1930s song. Try their La Vie En Rose Burger (made with melted gruyere and vermouth/thyme-scented caramelized onions) or "I Get a Kick Out of You" Burger (made with roasted jalapenos, pancetta bacon and provolone cheese). The Keep Your Sunny Side Up Burger is topped with homemade gremolata (made from garlic, lemon and parsley butter) and served on fresh toasted ciabatta.
QZilla BBQ Truck
The Qzilla truck specializes in St. Louis-style wood-fired barbecued meats, including smoked brisket, ribs and pulled pork. Each rack of ribs is hand-rubbed with a secret blend of spices, and their brisket is marinated for two days, then smoked on low for 16 hours.
Shrimp Guys Truck
If you've been to Giovanni's Shrimp Truck on Oahu, then you'll probably like The Shrimp Guys Truck. They have two familiar favorites — the garlic shrimp served with white rice, lemon wedges and roasted garlic bits; and the spicy garlic butter shrimp, given some heat with Thai chilis. But The Shrimp Guys Truck takes it one step further with a few more surprises, ranging from a Hawaiian Loco Moco (beef patty topped with an over-easy egg, sautéed brown onions and brown gravy) and the spicy coconut lime shrimp, scented with coconut milk, Thai chiles and lime juice. For a South of the Border touch, try their Tequila Lim Shrimp Tacos, topped with homemade spicy mango salsa.
Shrimp Pimp Truck
This gourmet shrimp truck, run by former New York restaurateur Neil Macleod, uses the highest-grade sustainable shrimp and sashimi-grade tuna on the market, all approved by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. The Shrimp Pimp menu is described as Asian-Latin fusion, with such delights as drunken shrimp tacos, sashimi tuna tacos, shrimp po boys and other fresh seafood dishes. Don't miss chef Neil's "Frylander" Fish and Chips, made with Guinness beer batter.
Slice Truck
This edgy mobile bus, which claims "Raves and Slice Truck go together like Movies and Sour Patch Kids," specializes in homemade New York style pizza. Boasting fresh ingredients, homemade sauce, and dough that's hand-tossed on the truck, Slice Truck pizza always draws rave reviews. The Slice Truck menu is kept simple, usually with about four types per day. Try their sausage and peppers with fresh basil, or their pepperoni and basil, all washed down with a cool IBC root beer. Slice Truck delivers in downtown LA, and you can buy the whole pizza if you're really hungry.
SoBe Squamata Truck
This colorful mobile truck, decorated in greens and blues with a big gecko on the side, serves up a wide range of SoBe drinks and ice cream to the hungry masses.
South Philly Experience Truck
This mobile catering food truck is famous for its Philly cheese steak, made in a variety of creative ways. Choose from the traditional Philly Cheese Steak, or try out their Italian Steak (provolone cheese and broccoli rabe), Pizza Steak (provolone cheese and marinara sauce) or Buffalo Steak (buffalo sauce and blue cheese. You can order them with or without onions. If you're not a fan of fresh rib-eye steak, you can order everything with chicken breast as well. The Veggie Italian Cheesesteak is filled with broccoli rabe, roasted peppers, onions and provolone. Wash it down with a cool Hank's Soda or a side of Wiz Fries.
Sweets Truck
The Sweets Truck brings "sweets and coffee to the streets" with its mobile gourmet coffeehouse and bake shop. Owner Molly Taylor chooses the specials daily from the best bakers in LA, throwing some nostalgic candy into the mix. Choose from a variety of premium teas and fresh roasted coffees and espressos, made at Jones Coffee in Pasadena. The Sweets Truck menu includes such delights as chocolate brownies from The Farm Beverly Hills, red velvet cookies, "Crack Bars" made from chocolate fudge and cookies, whoopie pies and gourmet cupcakes from Auntie Em's Kitchen.
Sprinkles Mobile Truck
Credited with started the world's first cupcake bakery, this Beverly Hills company has a huge list of celebrity fans. Only the best ingredients are used in Sprinkles cupcakes, from sweet cream butter to fresh grated lemon zest. Choose from traditional cupcakes, or more imaginative creations, such as the Madascarn Bourbon Vanilla Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese frosting. There are even gluten-free and vegan versions of their famous red velvet cupcakes.
Starry Kitchen Food Truck
The Starry Kitchen truck serves up some hearty Asian fare, from their to-die-for Vietnamese Egg Rolls (served with garlic fish dipping sauce) to their heavenly crispy tofu balls. To order, you first pick your protein (a choice of free-range Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken, Braised Coconut Pork, Japanese Sesame Fried Chicken or Vegan Stirfried Kimchi) followed by your "vessel," whether it be a wrap, chopped salad, Thai Cobb Salad or Banh Mi Sandwich. Light eaters will enjoy the Seared 8-Spice Tuna Salad, served over baby greens with cucumbers, red bell peppers and citrus-mango vinaigrette. Feel free to add a side of coconut rice, or Korean glass noodles.
TaBom Truck
In case you were wondering, "Ta Bom" is Portuguese for "It's Good," and this Brazilian food truck has a loyal fan base to prove it. The Ta Bom Truck menu includes some delicious options, whether you choose their Coxinha croquettes filled with shredded chicken and cream cheese, or their crisp-fried pastels, filled with your choice of cheese, ground beef, chicken or sliced bananas. Try their Brazilian Chorizo Tacos, stuffed with onions, cilantro and homemade chili sauce, and finish with a sweet chocolate fudge Brigadeiro.
TaKosher Truck
TaKosher Truck LA, the nation’s first certified glatt kosher taco truck, is known for its creative tangle of Mexican-Jewish cuisine. Run by Lowell Bernstein and friends Chris Martin and Moises Baqueiro, the truck is open for both lunch and dinner on the streets of Los Angeles, serving up its famous "Chosen Tacos." The TaKosher menu includes such delicious entrees as “The Original Brisketaco” (filled with braised and slow-cooked beef with chili sauce, sauerkraut and raisins) and “The Original Latketaco” (featuring three types of potato, chipotle chiles, onion and cilantro; panko-crusted and deep-fried, then topped with a jalapeño apple chutney).
The Place LA Truck
Serving hot pastrami on wheels, The Place LA food truck can always be seen rolling about town, whether it's outside the office buildings on Miracle Mile, or at a downtown art festival. For a mobile food truck, the Place LA menu is quite extensive. Take your pick of the Pastrami Melt or Sandwich, or be more adventurous by mixing the meat into a hot dog, quesadilla, cheeseburger or egg burrito. The Hot Pastrami Cheese Fries are always a hit, as are their Carne Asada fries. Phone orders and delivery are available.
TN BBQ Truck
Tacos, burritos and Korean BBQ are the focus of this Korean taco truck, which offers free kimchee on request. Both tacos and burritos are made with your choice of beef, chicken, spicy pork, shrimp or tofu. You can also thry their Korean Style Prime Burger, or their hot rice bowls, topped with beef bulgogi or marinated beef short ribs.
Tropical Shave Ice Truck
Southern California's first Hawaiian shave ice truck specializes in fluffy white shaved ice topped with homemade simple syrups. Their Fusion Shave Ice mixes shaved ice with fresh fruits and sweetened condensed milk.
Vesuvio LA Truck
This Italian food truck serves up great comfort food, ranging from Arancini (Italian rice balls mixed with salami, parmesan cheese and flat leaf parsley) to a mean eggplant parmesan, marinara pasta or bowl of meatballs. You can choose any entree (chicken parmesan, meatballs, sausage & peppers, eggplant parmesan) as a sandwich, topped with ricotta cheese and served on a fresh-baked Italian roll.
Vizzi Truck
"Visionary Cuisine" is the motto of this gourmet mobile truck, which can be found anywhere from CBS Studios to Santa Monica. Start with their White Truffle Popcorn (topped with sea salt) or their Organic Chickpea Sliders (drizzled with a chimichurri-creme fraiche sauce). Vizzi menu items, which are coastally inspired, include Maple & Balsamic Braised Wagyu Beef Sliders, Lavosh Chicken Piadinas, or their Statham Spaghetti, topped with garlic cream and black forest ham reduction. For the ultimate protein punch, check out their Metro Mix, which includes an assortment of raw dried fruit and nuts accompanied by local buckwheat honey.
White Rabbit Truck
Enter the rabbit hole and discover a wonderland of Filipino fusion cuisine, ranging from Pork Sisig (mixed with jalapenos, garlic and onions) to their slow-braised Chicken Adobo, Citrus-Marinated Beefsteak or Sweetened Cured Pork Tocino. All of their meats are available as tacos, burritos, rice bowls and quesadillas. For dessert, try their white chocolate champorado or creme brulee toast.
World Fare Truck
You can't miss the World Fare BusTauraunt, housed in a vintage double-decker bus, (complete with rooftop dining on the top level!) Aiming for a global approach to food, the World Fare menu includes everything from wine-braised short ribs with polenta fries to buttermilk-dredged rock shrimp lettuce cups, topped with house-made remoulade. They are perhaps best known for their Bunny Chows, a South African street food made with hollowed-out rolls filled with chicken curry. Chef Andi uses Piedmontese beef and organic Jidori chicken in all of her dishes, which include such delights as "The Original Bunny," made with a mixture of chicken curry, coconut milk, cashews, chick peas and cilantro. Be sure to try a side of their Truffle Mac and Cheese Balls, or French Fries served with a side of mustard creme fraiche or spicy remoulade.
Yalla Truck
Falafel fusion is the name of the game at Yalla Truck, which is known for its vegetarian chick pea balls, fried and mixed into a variety of delicious sandwiches. The Yalla Truck menu starts with their famous falafel balls, which are stuffed into such specialties as The Persuasion (made with green cabbage salad, onion salad, carrots, pickled cucumber, bean sprouts, peanut sauce and sesame seeds), The O.G. (made with red cabbage salad, tomato/ cucumber salad, onion salad, lettuce, pickled turnips and tahini sauce) or the Falapolous (dressed with tomato/cucumber salad, onion salad, black olives, pepperoncinis, green cabbage salad and tzatiki sauce).
Yatta Truck
"You Be the Chef" is the motto of this mobile food truck, which allows you to create your own sushi rolls on the streets of LA. If you choose to have them do the work for you, there are several good choices. Try the Poki Roll, which begins with a California Roll and is then topped with fresh ahi tuna, Poki sauce and sesame seeds. Other choices on the Yatta Truck menu include the cheeseburger-inspired All American Roll (stuffed with beef and melted cheese) or the Sweet Aloha Roll, filled with Hawaiian BBQ beef and fresh pineapple. The sushi is anything but ordinary.
Z Little Frenchie Truck
This charming mobile French cafe packs all the wonderful foods from Southern France into a mobile food operation. Start with a pain au chocolate pastry or delightful French onion soup, then move on to more hearty fare, such as the Croque Monsieur (made with ham or turkey with Jarlsberg cheese) or the Pan Bagnat (stuffed with tuna, tomato, hard-boiled egg, olives and mixed greens on ciabatta). More than five savory crepes are also on Z Little Frenchie menu, along with eight delightful dessert crepes. All sandwiches and crepes come with your choice of mixed green salad, fresh fruit, pasta salad or chips.
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