It wasn’t until nearly 2011 that Dallas finally joined the food-truck craze sweeping the nation. In the 15 years since, businesses like Ruthie’s Fueled By Good, Easy Slider, and The Butcher’s Son quickly became favorites across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Current estimates indicate 449 unique food truck brands across DFW, so it’s entirely possible there are food trucks you’ve never even seen, let alone had the pleasure of tasting your way through.
Let this list be a guide for which ones to stalk as they journey around town. Here are 10 of the best food trucks in Dallas you may not know about.
Mama Lama’s
Come for the paninis, stay for the waffle pops. If you’re seeking savory, turn to Mama Lama’s quartet of ciabatta-centric sandwiches (try the Cuban!). But save room for dessert because the freshly baked waffle-on-a-stick creations feature decadent toppings ranging from Nutella-banana to the award-winning strawberry churro. Find them regularly at Klyde Warren Park. mamalamatx.com
Cajun On the Go
Soak in the spirit of New Orleans the moment that Cajun On the Go rolls up, as the aroma of red beans and rice, po-boy sandwiches, and fried seafood baskets fills the air. Discover the truck’s whereabouts posted online each week, so you can take your taste buds right to the French Quarter without traveling far. Laissez les bons temps rouler! cajunfoodbus.com
José
Lovers Lane, the beloved restaurant known for its regional Mexican cuisine, recently debuted a food truck called José that doubles as a work of art. Guadalajara-based artist José Noe Suro and Dallas-based designer and artist Megan Reinhardt joined forces to evoke scenes from Guadalajara and Tequila in a style that matches the murals inside the Lovers Lane restaurant. Grab breakfast tacos on Saturday and Sunday mornings when the truck is parked outside the restaurant, or catch it around town at festivals and late-night events. 4931 W. Lovers Ln., Dallas, jose.mx
Dynamite Egg Rolls
As its name suggests, egg rolls are the main attraction at Dynamite Egg Rolls. Keep up with their schedule, and be prepared to wrap your hands around scratch-made egg rolls with inventive fillings, including Korean BBQ beef, Texas-style BBQ brisket, blue lump crab, and buttery lobster. Fried rice, wings, and Asian tacos round out the menu. dynamiteeggrolls.com
90sBBQ
It’s always the 1990s at this barbecue food truck specializing in Asian fusion BBQ. The retro-themed truck slings dishes like pho-birria brisket tacos, char siu pork ribs, Korean brisket bulgogi tacos, elote “ribs,” and Thai coconut curry tacos. Find them regularly parked at Truck Yard’s Fort Worth location. 90sbbq.com
FreshNez Kitchen
Nigerian fusion BBQ is the mashup you never knew you needed in your life. Coconut fried rice with smoked brisket? Suya-spiced smoked chicken wings? Fried plantains with honey mustard dipping sauce? Yes, yes, yes to all of the above. Follow FreshNez Kitchen’s schedule posted online (they’re often at Klyde Warren Park, FYI), and taste this bold convergence of cultures and flavors for yourself. freshnezkitchen.com
Hale on Wheels
Track the location of this food truck, known for its East Coast Italian eats, and browse the menu before you arrive to help narrow down the options. Good luck, because there is a lot to consider, including signature Italian subs loaded with meatballs, chicken parm, and eggplant parm. Or, skip the bread and order chicken or eggplant parm dippers with pepperoni marinara sauce.
Monkeyshines
Imagine a food truck with only two main options: a smashburger and loaded fries. You can pretty much guarantee both items will be top-tier, and that’s exactly the case with Monkeyshines. Get your brisket patty smashed on a toasted bun with cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and sauce, or have the same beefy goodness crumbled atop crispy French fries with bacon and jalapeños for two extra-meaty, equally satisfying meals. monkeyshinestx.com
Hook & Ladder Pizza Co.
This isn’t a new food truck by any stretch, but it’s usually out in the burbs of Keller, so it’s quite easy to miss unless that’s your home turf. Hook & Ladder deserves a shout-out because its wood-burning pizza oven sits onboard an actual fire truck. If you happen to find it at an event, head to the window for a traditional cheese or their signature Hot Honey, made with red sauce, cheese, crushed red pepper, pepperoni, and Mike’s hot honey. hookandladderpizzaco.com
Egg Stand
Don’t let the name fool you. Sure, eggs are featured prominently on nearly every dish this food truck cooks up, but it’s more than just breakfast sandwiches. (Although you should definitely try the Big 12, a ham-egg-and-cheese masterpiece with maple-honey glaze). Beyond-breakfast options include cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and fried chicken sandwiches—each crowned with a perfectly cooked fried egg. eggstand.org
