20 Austin Food Trucks That Locals Love
If you’re in Austin, you probably want to try a food truck or two. Here’s the good news: there are some *actually amazing* food trucks in ATX. And while there are all sorts of lists out there of famous Austin food trucks with instagrammable food (lookin’ at you, Gourdough’s), this is a list Austin food trucks with food that actually tastes good...
These 20 food trucks are places where local Austin residents actually eat.
While these Austin food trucks aren't listed in any particular order, they're all fabulous. We'll include the type of food so you can pick whatever you're craving and the address and website link so you can browse the menu.
How can I find Austin food trucks?
Unfortunately, they aren’t all parked at one big food trucks park. There are a few small food truck parks in Austin, but most of the food trucks are parked at breweries, major tourist streets (Cesar Chavez, South First, downtown), or general bar-hopping areas like East Sixth or West Sixth. You’ll find the address for each food truck listed below so you can find them easily.
What type of food can I get at a food truck?
Well, pretty much anything. In Austin, you’re going to find a lot of taco food trucks and bbq trucks. But you’ll also find burgers, thai food, churros, pizza, wings, a few grilled cheese food trucks, vegan food, caribbean food, and even a food truck that specializes in lobster. Seriously. Austin has it all.
Here are 20 Austin Food Trucks that Every Austinite Should Try:
1. Cuantos Tacos
These Mexico City-style tacos have quickly become Austin's favorite. They're about $2 and 2-3 bites each, so order a bunch of them (probably 4 or 5.)
The nixtamalized corn tortillas are soft and flavorful. If you're used to typical Tex Mex menus (barbacoa, carnitas, etc.) you'll probably see a few things on the menu that you don't recognize: Buche (pork stomach), longaniza (Mexican chorizo), and the rich, flavorful suadero (brisket.) Since these tacos are so small, it's pretty easy to just order one of each and sample everything.
The service is quick and friendly, and there’s a great big outdoor area with picnic tables where you can enjoy your order of tacos and a cold coke. If you just visit one Austin food truck, Cuantos Tacos is a good choice.
WEBSITE | 1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
2. LeRoy and Lewis BBQ
Earning spot #5 on Texas Monthly's Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints, LeRoy and Lewis is one of the most award-winningest bbq spots in Austin. This barbecue food truck is parked at a fun beer garden called Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden, so it's a great spot for an afternoon hang.
You might have to stand in line for a bit, but once you order your “new school bbq” (the beef cheeks are amazing!), go inside Cosmic to get a beer. By then, your order will be ready and you can enjoy some fun Austin outdoor weather while you eat memorable Austin bbq.
WEBSITE | 121 Pickle Rd, Austin, TX 78704
3. Tommy Want Wingy
Tommy Want Wingy food truck has been around since 2012 (quite a long life in food truck years), and the customers keep coming back for more.The business model is simple: just really really good wings and fries. The skin is crispy, the chicken is moist, and these wings are consistently good. Most local Austinites will call these the best wings in Austin.
There are various seasonings and batter to try. The 'Naked' (salt + pepper) is a crowd favorite. If you're up for a challenge, try the 'Holy Schnikes' (order an extra side of ranch...just sayin.)
Pro tip: You’ll find this truck in the same beer garden (Cosmic Coffee + Beer) as LeRoy and Lewis, mentioned earlier. It's a great place try a few food trucks in one visit.
WEBSITE |121 Pickle Rd, Austin, TX 78704
4. Spicy Boys
Real talk? The fried chicken at Spicy Boys is one of the most delicious things you might eat in a while. It’s infused and topped with pan-Asian flavors (sichuan pepper, thai basil ranch, papaya relish) and comes in fried chicken sandwich form, bone-in, or boneless. The OG sandwich is made with a big, juicy fried chicken thigh that's breaded in amazing flavors, topped with crispy-fresh condiments, and served on a soft, warm bun. Simple and delicious.
There are two locations, both parked at breweries: St Elmo in south Austin, and Zilker Brewing in east Austin. These sandwiches pair great with local craft beer.
PS: get the tots. Probably 2 orders.
WEBSITE | 1701 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
5. Garbo's Lobster Truck
Yeah, it’s a little bit strange that there’s a lobster truck in a land-locked city, but Garbo’s is pretty amazing. This Austin food truck specializes in all things lobster, including two types of lobster rolls: Maine (chilled lobster with mayo, celery, and lemon zest) and Connecticut (a salty, butter-poached lobster, no mayo).
The next time you're craving something warm and decadent, order their lobster grilled cheese with butter-poached lobster, creamy white cheddar and smoked gouda, and lots of bacon and roasted tomatoes on crusty bread.
It’s one of the last few roaming food trucks in Austin, so check the website for the location. (Note: one of their trucks is permanently parked at Oskar Blues brewery.) Photo via Garbos Facebook.
WEBSITE | Roaming Truck
6. Patrizi's Italian
This family-owned and family-run Italian food truck in East Austin is a wonderful place to grab a nice dinner out. The atmosphere is so unique and the staff is always friendly and willing to explain the menu to you.
Patrizi's makes their own pasta fresh to order, and you'll probably want to try one of everything on the menu: big plates of creamy hand-pulled noodles, made-from-scratch meatballs with red sauce, and pasta covered in fresh and zingy pesto.
They grow their own herbs, infuse their own oils, preserve their own lemons, make their own ricotta cheese...the list goes on and on. The proof is in the taste!
WEBSITE | 2307 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
7. Dee Dee Thai
Dee Dee Thai is known as THE food truck to try if you want authentic northern eastern Thai street food. It's owned by Lakana, who grew up in northeastern Thailand, and her husband Justin. The menu is inspired by Lakana's experience of preparing food with her family using the freshest ingredients + time + love to cook delicious pad kapow (spicy stir-fried pork), a delicious Om Gai stew, and other hearty dishes.
Dee Dee food truck is parked at Radio Coffee + Beer, a lively indoor/outdoor coffee shop and beer garden in south Austin. Definitely try the mango sticky rice for dessert.
WEBSITE | 4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704
8. Vegan Nom
Looking for vegan food trucks in Austin? There are several! The Vegan Nom is the local favorite for vegan tacos in Austin. They pack in all the flavors you want to find in tacos, minus the animal products.
It’s a 100% plant-based/nut-free menu, and most of it is also gluten-free.
WEBSITE | 2324 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
9. Fil 'n Viet
This east Austin food truck has been getting lots of attention lately for its ridiculously tasty fusion food of Filipino and Vietnamese cuisine. You'll find some Vietnamese classics here (amazing banh mi!) but you'll get to try all sorts of new, creative favorites.
Fil 'n Viet is parked at Camp East, a magical little spot in east Austin with wine and plenty of space to enjoy your food.
WEBSITE | 2903 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
10. Distant Relatives
People will tell you it’s a bbq food truck in Austin, but Distant Relatives is so much more. Chef Damien Brockway’s menu respects African diaspora and American South with Pecan smoke, nose-to-tail utilization, and traditional flavors like Tamarind Molasses BBQ sauce, Burnt Ends with Black Eyed Peas, and Spicy Smoked Peanuts.
It's parked at Meanwhile, an awesome brewery with a huge playground in southeast Austin.
WEBSITE | 3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744
11. The Churro Co
Craving dessert? You need to try these warm, chewy, cinnamon-coated churros topped with ice cream and caramel drizzle. The Churro Co in south Austin is one of the best dessert food trucks in town. It's popular among tourists, but locals line up for these treats, too.
The Churro Co makes their own homemade batter and then fries the churros fresh. You can order one a la carte, or go crazy and get the specialty menu items that are topped with creative combos like homemade apple pie and salted caramel, or popcorn sugar and vanilla ice cream.
WEBSITE | 1906 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
12. Discada
What’s a Discada taco? Discada a style of cooking from northern Mexico. All of the meat and flavors are cooked together on a plow disk (kind of like a wok), and the result? A bunch of small, scrumptious tacos, all lined up on a small plate.
Discada food truck has its own personal recipe, and the result is a delicious combo of beef, pork, bell peppers, onions, and other secret flavors. Order them in groups of 3, 5, or 8. Keep in mind that they're really small! By the way, here's a list of the 20 best tacos in Austin that you should try.
WEBSITE | 1319 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
13. Sammataro Pizza
Mmmm, these scrumptious pizzas are a treat! They're definitely a step above your typical neighborhood take-out pizza spot, so head to Sammataro when you want to really indulge in an excellent pie.
Sammataro makes their 16-inch pizzas with a 24-hour fermented dough that’s flash cooked in a super hot pizza oven, then topped with hard-to-find specialty ingredients. This New York-style pizzas are some of the tastiest in Austin, and you can find them a fun food truck park in east Austin.
Psst: Sammataro right next to Cuantos Tacos, so you can try both food trucks during one visit.
WEBSITE | 1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
14. Yeni's Fusion
When you're craving some exceptional Indonesian fusion food, head to Yeni's on Burnet Rd. Everything is made from scratch, including the sauces, the curries, the rice...so it's a true labor of love. This is definitely not a "fast food" food truck!
Yeni has created a menu with her own unique take on Indonesian street food, so the entrees are warm, hearty, and super flavorful. Try the grilled chicken with yellow turmeric rice. It's made with humanely raised, cage-free chicken thigh and a soft, flavorful rice with a coconut cream/lemongrass aroma.
Note that this Austin food truck is only open during dinner hours.
WEBSITE | 6507 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
15. Paprika
This north Austin taco truck is SO good! It’s parked away from the big touristy parts of Austin, so it’s mostly locals who frequent it…but if you’re visiting Austin, it’s definitely worth stopping by for taco de bistec (marinated steak) or a chipotle braised chicken tostada.
By the way, they have a few plant-based options. That prickly pear cactus taco is spicy!
WEBSITE | 6519 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
16. La Tunita 512
Ever had birria tacos? Austin has a bunch of them, but one of the best birria tacos in Austin is at La Tunita 512. It’s a little blue food truck parked outside a gas station in East Austin, and these tacos are gooey, melty, and so satisfying.
Regulars start showing up right as the food truck opens. The line moves quickly (the menu is quite small) so you won't have to wait too long for your order. La Tunita 512's specialty? A queso taco, which is a beef birria taco that's wrapped in a crispy Monterrey jack cheese crust.
WEBSITE | 2400 Burleson Rd, Austin, TX 78741
17. Via 313
Via 313 Detroit-style pizza has become so popular in Austin, that they now have multiple brick-and-mortar restaurants (and even started expanding outside of Texas!)
They still operate a food truck on West 6th St and another one on Rainey Street, and this pizza without a doubt one of the most delicious things you can eat late at night while bar-hopping in Austin. Detroit-style pizza is rectangular and made with the sauce on top. The cheese in the middle is warm and gooey, and the edges are charred to a salty, crispy crust. It's a super craveable pie and you'll probably want to eat it again and again...hence the quickly expanding business with multiple locations.
WEBSITE | 600 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
18. Veracruz All-Natural
Probably the most well-known taco truck in Austin, Veracruz became popular for their migas taco (featured on Food Network as one of the best tacos in the country.) They have other great options too, so try a lunch or dinner taco if the mood strikes.
You'll find a Veracruz truck that’s parked at Radio Coffee + Beer. It's a fun option because you can bring the kids or dogs on a Saturday morning and let them run around while you enjoy a breakfast taco.
WEBSITE | 4208 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704
19. Golden Tiger
Legit fried chicken sandwiches and burgers. It's a simple menu, but these hot, extra-large sandwiches of juicy chicken thigh served on a pillowy-soft bun are a crowd favorite in ATX
Golden Tiger is parked outside Whisler's cocktail bar. It's the perfect location because this food was made to be paired with booze.
WEBSITE | 1816 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
20. Micklethwait Craft Meats
OG Austinites have been dining at this supurb bbq trailer in East Austin for years and years. Micklethwait has won multiple awards for their melt-in-your-mouth smoked brisket and creative sausage links (Texas Monthly 50 Best BBQ, among others). The consistent line speaks volumes about what people think of this place.
Micklethwait is now parked behind a little beverage bungalow and beer garden called Saddle Up. It's an awesome place to get a big plate of smoked meat and delicious BBQ sides, grab a craft beer, and enjoy a family meal outside on the picnic tables.
WEBSITE | 1109 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
This post is part of the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance City Guide! To see more guides to the ATX food scene, click here.
