Best Food Trucks In Los Angeles
What started out as a simple dining convenience at job sites, food truck cuisine has morphed into an urban culture. You can get pretty much anything for breakfast, lunch and dinner parked on the side of the road. While these restaurants-on-the-go are a common site here in Los Angeles, not all food trucks are created equal. The meals and menus cover a broad spectrum of quality with most of them landing in the pretty decent range. An experienced food truck connoisseur knows which ones to go to and which ones to avoid. If you're new to the scene, you can save yourself a potential stomachache and check out these top five food trucks in Los Angeles.
Kogi Truck
All Over The City
www.kogibbq.com
It would be impossible to have a best food trucks list without Kogi being on it. Although Kogi has been around for a while, it remains one of the best that's out there. Serving up delicious Korean BBQ eats on the streets of LA, it has become a symbol of the food truck revolution that hit LA a few years back. While you can taste their full menu by visiting the Alibi Room in Culver City, there is something different and fun about finding out where the truck is going to be. The truck runs on a weekly schedule and essentially has 4 trucks, Roja, Verde, Naranja and Rosita. Each one comes with its own schedule of where it's going to be that day. For a full schedule, visit Kogi BBQ Schedule. Don't know what to get? You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu but the favorites include the short rib tacos, Kogi sliders, Kogi Kimchi Quesadilla, the Blackjack Quesadilla, and the Spicy Pork Tacos.
Peaches' Food Truck
www.peachestruck.com
In the mood for some good old Southern cooking? Peaches' Smokehouse and Southern Kitchen is L.A.'s best truck to indulge in slow-smoked BBQ and classic comfort food from the south. Made from scratch wth great ingredients, sample menu items include a pulled pork sandwich with fresh coleslaw, a country-fried steak sandwich, a smoked chicken sandwich with Alabama white sauce and house pickles, waffle fries, a grilled cheese sandwich, BBQ fries, and much more. Find them here.
Mariscos Jalisco
www.facebook.com
As one of the trucks considered old school in Los Angeles Mariscos Jalisco has a following that cannot be denied. Offering delicious tacos, including their dorado de camaron with shrimp and avocado inside a corn tortilla, the truck also offers plenty of other Mexican fare. If you're looking to eat everything from tostadas, tacos, burritos and more, this is undoubtedly a food truck institution in L.A. Follow them on Twitter and find out where you can meet up with the great truck.
Grilled Cheese Truck
(323) 522-3418
www.thegrilledcheesetruck.com
If you prefer to eat your grilled cheese on the go, then catch up with mobile food truck giants, the Grilled Cheese Truck. This popular truck has their schedule online so fans can easily locate their routes. Foodies can order from their Plain and Simple menu or can get adventurous with combinations such as the Buffalo Chicken Melt. The Cheesy Mac and Rib is a popular choice. Add BBQ and caramelized onions to this sandwich for that extra punch! Do not be fooled by the small size. The sandwiches are packed with fillings that will make your tummy happy. Don't forget to include a side of Tater Tots. The lines are typically long but move along at a nice pace. Love your Grilled Cheese Truck? You can actually start your own.
Jogasaki Sushi Burrito Truck
www.jogasakiburrito.com
While Jogasaki Sushi Burrito is most famous for its sushi-inspired burrito combinations served on either soy paper or choice of rolled tortilla, they also boast some incredible tacos, including the Salmon Ceviche Taco. Made with salmon sashimi and pico de gallo, this taco is dressed with ponzu and yuzu dressing, wrapped up in a crunchy taco shell. Track them down here
Free Range
www.freerangela.com
It's all about chicken at this delicious truck. But, they also have some great breakfast menu items, too, including their famous avocado toast, an avocado, egg and cheese muffin and more. For the real treat, though, fried chicken is what most people come for. To start off, go for their tempura battered fried chicken, which is tossed with Sriracha and honey and comes with a scrambled egg on a biscuit. If that doesn't have you saying yum, then surely their other breakfast plates, or free range chicken sausage egg and cheese on an English muffin will. How do you find them? Visit www.freerangela.com for locations, menu items and more.
Yeastie Boys Bagels
As Los Angele's first and top bagel truck, you'll want to make sure to follow them on Twitter to locate them and bite into their delicious bagels. Hand rolled and baked fresh every morning, this bagel truck doesn't just offer your usual bagel and cream cheese, though. Instead, indulge by adding everything from smoked salmon and dill spread, cucumbers, sliced radishes, and capers. Or, try their Game Over with soft scrambled eggs, peppered bacon, sliced tomatoes, beer cheese and jalapeno spread on a cheddar bagel. The truck offers other favorites that are as unique as their names though. It's a must visit.
Coolhaus
www.cool.haus
Sure, Coolhaus has their own brick and mortar locations these days, but what's the fun in that? Find their truck and indulge in decadent desserts you won't find elsewhere! Chase down this ice cream truck by finding them here. Choose some ice cream from their creative flavors and then have them smack it inside a delicious chewy cookie and enjoy!
Nacho's Tacos Y Tortas
Hollywood Area
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 365-5347
One of the reasons people choose food trucks over sit-down restaurants are the affordable prices. With most menu items at Nacho's Tacos Y Tortas under five bucks, it can be easy to see why this truck is popular. And, if that isn't enough to draw you in, the portions are huge, the food is delicious and the service is fast and friendly. The al pastor taco is the customer (and the owner's) favorite with the quesadillas coming in a close second. However, finding this tasty meals-on-wheels can sometimes be a challenge. It's best to call for times and locations.
Related: Best Pulled Pork In Los Angeles
Pico House
www.picohouse.com
When the chefs behind the popular Pico House food truck include experience at some of LA's top restaurants including Blue Hill, Bestie and others, you know the food has to be delicious. The idea for the food is not a new one though. In fact, Chris, Phil, and Qudoe began cooking together years ago in the backyard at Chris' house. Over time, their BBQ food became something great, and a love for cooking was discovered as well. Over time, Gemma and Mavis J joined the team, and today they're cooking up delicious meat and grain bowls for Angelenos throughout the city. The bowls here are a healthy approach to satisfying food and they focus on whole grain bowls that use a blend of grains that will have you fill without feeling stuffed. Inside the bowls, you'll find flavorful meats and veggies, and more. Favorites here include their Union Lamb, with harissa braised lamb, carrot puree, sautéed onions and peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and mint with a tasty red wine vinaigrette and goat cheese. But, really whatever you order, you're bound to be completely satisfied with!
Arroy Food Truck
Mid-Wilshire
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(626) 227-5666
www.facebook.com/arroyfoods
In the mood for sliders but don't want the attitude or prices of a gastropub? Then Arroy Food Truck is the place for you. You'll find no attitude or steep prices but plenty of tasty sliders and sides here. Have your choice of pork belly, beef brisket, satay chicken or sweet and spicy pork sliders; one for $5 or two for $8. Sides include crispy wontons with shrimp and pork, meatballs and basil garlic truffle fries. You can even make it a combo for $12. Call for locations and times.
Curbside Cravings
534 S. Occidental Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(818) 653-0877
www.curbsidecraving.com
While a lot of food trucks park outside of bars for the high demand of late-night drunken dining, Curbside Cravings is food truck cuisine you can totally eat sober and enjoy it. With its famous tocino burgers, chicken bbq and lobster balls, you'll understand why the lines can get a bit long at this truck. Service is friendly and so are the prices as everything is well under 10 bucks. If you're in the mood for Filipino food but not a fan of food trucks, you can get the same amazing cuisine at the truck's home base at Neri's Restaurant.
The Lobos Truck
www.thelobostruck.com
Famous for their WACHOS nachos, The Lobos Truck offers hearty comfort food that will have you feeling pleasantly stuffed. The criss cut fries with nacho toppings are what they're known for, including their OG with everything, or their buffalo, with waffle fries tossed in diablo or angel sauce with bleu cheese, bacon, scallions & ranch dressing. They offer other WACHOS though, including their Cheesy Ranch, Green Dragon with the special sauce of the same name, and much more. Other offerings including mac 'n cheese, Kobe beef burgers, chicken burgers and more. To find them, visit their locations on their website.
Armando's Lunch Truck
USC's Main Campus
3470 McClintock Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90089
(562) 650-2951
www.facebook.com/ArmandosTruck
If there's anyone who knows where to find the best food for less it would be college students. And, the students of USC are big fans of Armando's Lunch Truck. With a varied menu from sausage, egg and cheese on a bun to spicy chicken sandwiches and a fish plate special to burritos, the prices are student friendly with the average being around $5. Armando's is up and running at 7am and rumor has it that customers can even text in their orders ahead of time, that is if you can get the phone number from an employee.
Related: Best Food Trucks In Orange County
Tacos Super Gallito Truck
Corner Of Santa Monica Blvd And Westwood
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(323) 868-7983
www.tacossupergallito.com
There's something special about a taco truck, as you know you're getting tacos without all the glitz and glamour. These are legit tacos, or the type you'd expect to find at a roadside shop in Mexico. So, naturally, Tacos Super Gallito Truck makes our list for offering some of the best tacos in the city. You won't find any seating here. Instead, order up from a variety of authentic options and eat it on the ledge of their truck. They offer virtually every variety, including maritnated pork, carintas, chicken, tongue, pastor, carne asada and many others. With cilantro, diced onions and great sauce, no matter what you order, it's a winner.
