What the Truck: The Hottest Latino Food Truck Must-Trys Across the Country

The food truck trend is everywhere, from sporting events to private events to big cities to music/art/food festivals and everything in between. Once upon a time the idea of eating food out of a moving vehicle might have seemed like a terrible idea. And for the most part, food trucks seemed to exclusively serve questionably prepared hot dogs and stale pretzels. It felt wrong to willingly consume food that was whipped up in a truck. And besides, how good could the food be? Let us be the first to admit — we were wrong. That was then (and if we’re being honest, we were probably a little quick to judge) and this is now. Food trucks are taking the culinary world by storm, and it can be argued that they’re the most delicious, most fun, and most cost-effective way to enjoy authentic cuisines from around the world.

Make no mistake about it, food trucks are here to stay. They aren’t a passing fad or a bizarre food trend in cities where chefs can’t afford proper dining establishments. Food trucks are a thing, and not only are they not going away any time soon, but they are making serious bank in the food world.

According to The Economist, there are currently over 4,000 food trucks throughout the country (and that number seems to be growing), and from 2011 to 2016, food truck industry revenue grew at an annual rate of 7.9%. Off The Grid, a San Francisco-based company that helps support mobile food businesses by doing everything from designing the trucks to setting up vending groups to helping with marketing recently released its first Mobile Food Trends Report. The report breaks down the food truck trend and its projected growth for the future, and spoiler alert: this rapidly growing industry is taking over.

According to the report, the food truck industry alone is expected to grow by nearly 20 percent in 2019 alone, growing to a 985 million dollar business in the next year. Food trucks offer a ton of benefits to both business owners and patrons alike. For entrepreneurs it offers a chance to start a business with a smaller upfront investment but with more flexible opportunities and a larger reach to feed a bigger and more diverse audience. It also allows chefs to experiment with their menus, innovate more rapidly, stay ahead of the trends and focus on brand awareness and food quality, rather than increasing prices to make rent or investing in a permanent location that might not work.

And even Hollywood is catching on to the food truck trend. The hit movie Chef, staring Jon Favreau, was about a talented chef with a temper who leaves his job at a popular restaurant to run a food truck in Miami with his son, his ex-wife (the gorgeous Sofia Vergara) and his friend (the hilarious John Leguizamo). The film was well received by critics and fans alike, and it was nearly impossible to watch without craving an epic Cuban sandwich that can only be served from an authentic food truck.

Food trucks are a way for culinary professionals and business owners to innovate, to grow, to diversify their offerings and to satisfy a wide and growing audience of foodies with appetites for the best and most delicious food. If you’ve been hesitant to hit up your local food trucks in the past, now is the time to change your perception of these mobile kitchens and get in line, ready to dig in.

Not sure where to begin? Good news, we have the inside scoop on the best Latino food trucks around the country. If you’re lucky, there are some delicious, easily accessible and dare we say it, cheap, food trucks in your very own community.  If not, they are certainly worth the trip to check out the best Latino food trucks across the US, and trust us, come hungry.

2Los Angeles

IG @guerrillatacos
Photo Credit IG @guerrillatacos

L.A. has always been a destination known for its sunny beaches, celebrity sightings and of course for its Latin cuisine and Mexican food offerings. And some of the best ways to try all the best Mexican dishes LA has to offer is from food trucks located throughout the city. Some of the most successful and famous food trucks in the country took off in LA, such as Guerrilla Tacos by Wes Ávila a taco stand that became a food truck that eventually became so successful it had to be turned into a multi-location brick-and-mortar establishment.

But there are still amazing food trucks offering everything you could want from Latin cuisine. At Mariscos Jalisco, one of the longest-standing taco trucks in the city, you must try the famous tacos dorado de camaron, a shrimp taco folded into a corn tortilla and fried to golden brown, crispy heaven. It lives up to the hype, which is why the truck’s loyal following always comes back for more. El Chato Taco Truck features a more traditional taco menu, specializing in tacos, burritos and quesadillas, including authentic tacos al pastor, carne asada, chicken, chorizo, and more. The grub at this food truck is so good that L.A. Weekly rated it as the #1 taco truck in L.A. And do not miss Taco Zone, a favorite among the late-night crowd in Echo Park (but also adored by fans and foodies all day long). This truck is located in only one place: the parking lot of an Echo Park Von’s, and it’s famous for its al pastor, carne asada and suadero, which is like a brisket.

Portland

A huge part of Portland’s quirky identity revolves around not just food, but food trucks. The city features several pods of food trucks and carts offering a wide range of cuisines in clusters across the city. Each pod features a collection of different food trucks and carts, so you never leave hungry and you can always find what you are craving. And if you are craving Mexican cuisine or Latin fusion food, you’re in luck. At Little Conejo, you’ll find tacos made from the freshest ingredients, especially their famous handmade tortillas and masa, made in-house from organic, Mexican corn ground daily.

IG @little_conejo Food Trucks
Photo Credit IG @little_conejo

If you’re looking for something a bit less traditional and more global, then Koi Fusion PDX is your food truck jam. This truck features tacos that are combined with traditional Korean flavors and ingredients — think a kimchi quesadilla and a burrito filled with Korean seasoned rice. Tierra del Sol Cuisine is all about authentic Mexican-Oaxacan style food, serving homemade recipes that have been passed down for generations in Mexico (and now Portland).