You don’t really have to step into a bricks-and-mortar restaurant to taste some of America’s best dishes. The US food truck scene is thriving, with a lot of carts running menus that match the country’s best-loved spots. From barbecue trucks to mobile waffle houses, here are the top food trucks in every state across the USA, in a sort of quick tour way.
Washington: Were Ya at Matt, Seattle
Bringing a taste of New Orleans soul food to Seattle, Where Ya At Matt claims to be one of the city’s original food trucks and they’re proud to serve yummy, house made, freshly cooked meals. People seem to really love their shrimp po' boy, with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo—pretty much all the usual stuff, you know. But you can also spot Southern comfort favorites like jambalaya, and shrimp and grits on the menu, so it’s not just one thing.
West Virginia: Twisted Oughs, Falling Waters
We guarantee that even just a quick glance at Twisted Ough’s menu will make you salivate, like seriously. For breakfast, there’s everything from cinnamon rolls to biscuits and sausage gravy plus a breakfast sandwich on a pretzel. The real treats at this hip food truck though, they mostly show up at lunch. We’ve got our eyes on the pretzel dog; an all-beef hot dog wrapped in pretzel dough. And you got room for more, maybe? Go ahead and try the cinnamon sugar soft pretzel.
Hawaii: Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, Oahu's North Shore
Giovannis started back in 1993, when the founders converted a 1953 bread truck and then took their tasty shrimp recipes out to the roads of Oahu’s North Shore. Word spread pretty quick and, now there are three carts, one in Honolulu, one in Haleiwa, and one in Kahuku. There’s this kind of ongoing battle, over who has the best shrimp in the North Shore, but we’re pretty much backing Giovanni’s, at least because its top dishes are so hard to ignore. Like hot and spicy shrimp served with fluffy white rice and also that garlicky shrimp scampi, which is honestly a big deal.
Connecticut: Lobster Craft, Stratford
So, with a bricks and mortar spot in Stratford, plus a fleet of trucks, Lobster Craft serves up traditional lobster rolls, and tacos too. Their Coastal lobster roll really gets folks in a mood, like a perfectly toasted bun that's loaded with hot, buttered lobster, then a finishing touch of the Captain's Pinch, which is LobsterCraft’s signature seasoning, you know. And people also rave about the Heat Wave; it arrives with serrano and habanero pepper infused butter, and it has that kind of kick. There’s also a second restaurant in Sarasota, Florida, so yeah.
Hawaii: Da Bald Guy, Oahu’s North Shore
This food truck offers these playful takes on Hawaiian favorites, Asian flavors, and the classics from mainland America, so eating here feels oddly unique. You’ll find chipotle butter shrimp, pan-fried poke, and chopped rib-eye steak all coming out from the beachside truck, which once appeared on Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race. The kalbi, Korean barbecue short ribs, always seems to fly off the window fast, and they’re served with this kind of beautifully fluffy rice.
Massachusetts: The Chicken & Rice Guys, Boston
Yeah, pretty much like the name says, this halal truck (now with four restaurants and some whole fleet type of vehicles) started from this idea that’s simple but also, really tasty: chicken and rice. It has been moving around Boston since 2012, and The Chicken and Rice Guys keep it small but still feel wholesome on the plate. You just have to choose between a rice base or a salad base, then stack it up with grilled chicken, gyros, or tofu. After that you add sauces like creamy garlic and, if you’re feeling it, extra hot. People really can’t get enough of it.
Georgia: Auggie’s Lucky Tacos, Marietta
Two brothers-in-law drive Auggie’s Lucky Taco truck, a snack van touring events in and around Marietta. They’re both keyed up on food and people, so the truck pulls in crowds with its authentic tacos, quesadillas, and nachos. Auggie makes everything with classic Mexican preparations, like asada and al pastor, which is a customer favorite… every time. Folks can follow Auggie around town for a quick bite, or they can book the truck for private events, so the menu is basically all to themselves.
Vermont: Farmers & Foragers, Burlington
Permanently parked at Burlington Harbor Marina, seasonal food truck Farmers & Foragers kind of focuses on locally obtained and organic ingredients, stirred up into simple yet scrumptious dishes. The menu rolls over every week, though visitors can still count on filling eats like Vermont cheesesteaks like Philly cheesesteaks, but dressed with Vermont produce), pork belly bánh mi and kimchi hot dogs
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