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Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
These are the 100 best food trucks in the US, per Yelp—and 25 are from the same state
We've come a long way since the days when food trucks only doled out greasy fries or soggy tacos out of its side door. Today, mobile eateries serve fare just as delicious as you'd find in a restaurant, and the lack of overhead means they can take creative risks while keeping prices low. Talented chefs can be "at the wheel" and food truck villages have found a sort of permanent impermanence in cities like Portland, Oregon. With all that in mind, a new Yelp round-up lists the 100 best food trucks in the country and, surprisingly, 25-percent of these on-the-go restos can be found in Hawaii. Yes, the Aloha State dominated the Yelp ranking, even claiming the No. 1 spot with Tony's Catch of Kapa'a, Hawaii—the easygoing vendor is a local favorite for its seared ahi tostadas, carne asada fries, mahi sandwiches, poke bowls and more. It's conveniently located near both the beach and a bike path, making it the perfect quick, no-frills meal that lets you keep surfing, swimming or biking. Outside of Hawaii, Austin, TX, Portland, OR and Los Angeles, CA revealed themselves to be fellow food-truck strongholds—it obviously helps to have a warm climate, with diners lining up al fresco for their food. The roundup also shows that Yelpers appreciated fusion foods that creatively merge cuisines to form a new mashup, like JoJo's Hot Chicken (No. 4 on the list), which serves finger-licking Nashville hot chicken but with a zesty Ethiopian flair. The number two spot, Jim's Smokehouse, is located in a small park in Austin and serves barbecued Angus brisket that has been smoked for 12 hours. Taco Libre on Kauai rounds out the top three, known for its signature dish the "Mexi Moco," which is inspired by Hawaii's traditional loco moco dish (rice layered with hamburger patties and egg that's smothered in a savory gravy), but done up with Mexican flair. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jim's Smokehouse (@jimssmokehouseatx) You can check out Yelp's full list of 100 best food trucks here, and the top 25 on-the-go options below: 1. Tony's Catch, Kapa'a, Kauai, Hawaii 2. Jim's Smokehouse, Austin, Texas 3. Taco Libre, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii 4. Jojo's Hot Chicken, San Jose, California 5. La Jalisciense, Santa Nella, California 6. La Piñata Taqueria, Vallejo, California 7. Capitol Burger, Torrey, Utah 8. T-Loc's Sonora Hot Dogs, Austin, Texas 9. Mike's BBQ 101, Key Largo, Florida 10. Nico's Burgers, Los Angeles, California 11. Deckhand Dave's Fish Tacos, Juneau, Alaska 12. Taqueria Mi Guadalajara, Bishop, California 13. Mariscos Mi Gusto Es, San Diego, California 14. Aloha Shrimp, Hauula, Oahu, Hawaii 15. Yoshi's Sushi, Portland, Oregon 16. Pit Stop Hawaii Food Truck, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii 17. Ragga Surf Cafe, St. Augustine, Florida 18. Bake on the Run, Portland, Oregon 19. Paprika ATX, Austin, Texas 20. Iolani's Plate Lunch, Portland, Oregon 21. Bomb Burger, Northridge, California 22. Frogtowns Gourmet Tacos, Los Angeles, California 23. Bodhi Viet Vegan, Austin, Texas 24. Chochu Local, Portland, Oregon 25. HI Thai Food, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii
NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
6 Food Trucks Around The World That Locals (And Tourists) Swear By
Eating at a food truck hits differently. There are no fancy plates or fine-dining rules-just solid, street-style food served hot, fast and in portions that genuinely satisfy. Unlike traditional restaurants or cafes, food trucks tend to keep the menu tight, often focusing on one dish or a single cuisine. Think hot, crispy fries with endless toppings or tacos packed with punchy, fresh flavours. The queues can be long, the settings are rarely glamorous, but for food lovers, it is all part of the charm. So, where are some of the most legendary food trucks parked today? These six food trucks are serving up some of the most unforgettable bites around the world. Why Food Trucks Are More Than Just a Trend Food trucks are no longer seen as casual pit stops. They are full-blown culinary destinations now. With tight menus, loyal followings and inventive takes on classics, they have carved out a serious niche in global food culture. Whether it is a taco truck with a Michelin star or a burger van with a cult Instagram following, food trucks today offer real competition to brick-and-mortar restaurants. What Makes a Great Food Truck Experience Eating from a food truck hits differently. There are no fancy plates or fine-dining rules - just solid, street-style food served hot, fast and in portions that genuinely satisfy. Unlike traditional restaurants or cafes, food trucks tend to keep the menu tight, often focusing on one dish or a single cuisine. Think hot, crispy fries with endless toppings or tacos packed with punchy, fresh flavours. The queues can be long, the settings are rarely glamorous, but for food lovers, it is all part of the charm. 1. Tony's Catch, Kauai, Hawaii, United States View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tony's Catch (@tonyscatch_kauai) Top-rated seafood food truck in the US. According to Yelp's 2025 rankings, Tony's Catch in Kapa'a, Kauai, is officially the best food truck in the United States. Locals and tourists alike flock here for the Zicatela-style fish tacos-loaded with golden-fried mahi-mahi, a cilantro-lime slaw with hints of pineapple, and finished with avocado-jalapeno sauce. Other favourites on the menu include their over-the-top poke bowls and Carne Asada fries, served with jalapeno cream sauce and green onions. If you are a fan of seafood and Mexican flavours, this food truck should be on your list. 2. Taqueria El Califa de Leon, Mexico City, Mexico Michelin-starred tacos from a food truck. It is rare for a food truck to be awarded a Michelin star, but Taqueria El Califa de Leon has pulled it off. With barely enough space for a handful of diners at the counter, it is all about the food here. One of their signature dishes is the Gaonera taco, made with thinly sliced beef fillet, seasoned only with salt and lime juice, and wrapped in fresh corn tortillas. The Michelin Guide calls it "elemental," and rightly so - it is minimalist, but packed with depth. 3. Harry's Cafe de Wheels, Sydney, Australia View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harrys Cafe De Wheels (@harryscafedw) Iconic Australian street food for over 80 years. Harry's Cafe de Wheels is not just a food truck; it is a piece of Sydney's food history. Parked near Woolloomooloo since the 1930s, this pie cart is known for its 'Tiger' pie: an Aussie meat pie topped with mashed potato, mushy peas and brown gravy. It has fed celebrities including Sir Elton John and Prince Harry, but the prices remain friendly, and the vibe is as casual as ever. 4. Kouri Shrimp, Kouri Island, Japan Shrimp truck with an island view. On the scenic shores of Kouri Island in Okinawa, the pastel-pink Kouri Shrimp truck dishes out garlicky, Hawaiian-style shrimp with a Japanese twist. Served over rice and paired with local Okinawan vegetables, it is the kind of meal that tastes even better with sand on your feet. The owners, a couple who relocated from Tokyo in 2014, have built a loyal following among beachgoers and seafood fans alike. 5. Tapi Tapioca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tapí Tapioca & Açaí (@tapitapioca) Tapioca-based snacks with local flair. Tapi Tapioca in Rio specialises in street food made from cassava root, a native Brazilian staple. Their hero dish is the Tapi Parri - a chewy tapioca pancake stuffed with melted cheese, roasted almonds and drizzled with truffle honey. It is sweet, salty, nutty and a bit unexpected, but it works. This food truck has built a solid fan base thanks to its unique spin on Brazilian classics. 6. Burgertron, Pune, India Massive burgers that pack a serious punch. Burgertron is one of Pune's favourite food trucks for a reason. These burgers do not mess around. Think BBQ steak, Jamaican jerk fish and sloppy mutton, each layered with generous fillings and house-made sauces. The portions are hefty, the patties are juicy, and the flavours are bold. It is a meat lover's dream on wheels. Food trucks have gone from niche to global, bringing authentic, no-frills dining to streets and beaches in every corner of the world. From award-winning tacos in Mexico to overstuffed burgers in India, they continue to shape the way we eat, travel and indulge. Which one are you trying first?
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Best US food trucks for 2025 revealed — and NYC has a lot of work to do
These offer a lot of bang for your truck. In honor of National Food Truck Day on June 27, Yelp has ranked the top 100 mobile kitchens in the US for 2025 — with Tony's Catch in Hawaii taking the crown and NYC lagging far behind in this culinary drag race. The restaurant review site compiled this ranking in ode to the US' 'booming' meals on wheels scene, which represented a $1.8 billion market in 2024, according to Toast. Advertisement 'Mobile kitchens are bringing talented chefs to local neighborhoods, where they're cooking up gourmet meals and creative new dishes at affordable prices,' Yelp wrote. 'The result? Those fresh-made tacos, slow-barbecued brisket, or handcrafted bao buns served on paper plates in parking lots might be as tasty as something you'd find in an upscale restaurant.' 6 Kauai in Hawaii. which boasted 25 of the top 100 food trucks on the list. VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images While the idea of the best mobile kitchens is quite subjective, Yelp's research team tried to narrow things by basing them on reviews of 58,000 restaurants in the platform's 'food truck' category, Food and Wine reported. Advertisement They then rated them according to a 'number of factors,' per the site, which noted that all the selections 'have a passing health score.' The result was a list of the most 'most drool-worthy, finger-licking, lip-smacking, chef-driven food trucks that Yelpers are raving about.' Overall, Hawaii proved the US' de facto food truck haven with a staggering 25 spots on the list — not bad for a state whose total population is just a fourth the size of NYC. 6 Some of the offerings at Tony's Catch. Instagram/@tonyscatch_kauai Advertisement Meanwhile, California trailed close behind with 22 of the top 100 spots on this mobile meal Mount Rushmore. Taking the overall crown was Tony's Catch in Kapa'a, Kauai, which boasts 4.9 stars across 285 reviews. 6 Jojo's Hot Chicken in San Jose, California. Instagram/@jojoshotchicken This Aloha State mobile kitchen is known for its Zicatela-style fish tacos, which are based on the food at fellow coastal hotspot Playa Zicatela in Oaxaca, Mexico. Advertisement To create this epicurean homage, the chefs lightly crisp a generous portion of fried mahi-mahi and 'then top it with a cilantro-lime slaw with a mild pineapple flavor and 'a drizzle of avocado-jalapeno sauce,' per the site. 6 Tacos at Taco Libre in Koloa, Hawaii. Facebook/Taco Libre Food Truck Also worth a mention are the ahi tuna tostadas, featuring Cajun-seared fish so fresh that it 'melts in your mouth' like butter. 'I've been thinking about these tacos for 2 years, since the last time we had them,' gushed enamored Yelper Dennette N. 'And they did not disappoint.' 6 'Jim's is pushing stellar meats and other eats out of its food truck,' gushed Yelp elite member Dawn H. while reviewing Jim's Smokehouse in Austin, Texas. Instagram/@jimssmokehouseatx Following close behind was Jim's Smokehouse in Austin (4.9 stars over 258 reviews), named after the grandfather of owner Brad Yerkes. His grandpa reportedly ran a Texas BBQ joint in the 1970s. According to Yelp, 'Brad arrives at 7:30 am to load choice Angus brisket into his smoker behind the truck for a 12-hour bask — all to achieve the 'smokiness and tenderness' Yelpers rave about. 6 'I've been thinking about these tacos for 2 years, since the last time we had them,' said one reviewer while praising Tony's Catch. Instagram/@tonyscatch_kauai Advertisement 'Jim's is pushing stellar meats and other eats out of its food truck,' gushed Yelp elite member Dawn H. 'With the actual smokehouse just behind, everything is fresh and legit. [I] recommend their bomb mac and cheese, sriracha slaw, and do I need to even suggest 'bacon jam'?' Rounding out the top three were Taco Libre in Koloa, Kauai, Jojo's Hot Chicken in San Jose, California, and La Jalisciense in Santa Nella, California. Unfortunately, NYC failed to secure a solitary spot in this mobile kitchen Le Mans race. The Garden State fared only slightly better with one entry: mobile sushi bar Wisp Express in Jersey City (4.9 stars across 94 reviews). While serving raw fish out of a truck might seem dubious, New Jerseyans are lapping it up with one Yelper dubbing their offerings 'some of the freshest fish I've had.' Advertisement 'Hands down this is the best sushi in Jersey City and even if I didn't live here I'd travel for it,' they declared. 'It has replaced all of my favorite sushi spots in NJ in terms of ranking.' Here are the US top 100 food trucks for 2025 , according to Yelp 1. Tony's Catch, Kapa'a, Hawaii 2. Jim's Smokehouse, Austin, Texas Advertisement 3. Taco Libre, Koloa, Hawaii 4. Jojo's Hot Chicken, San Jose, California 5. La Jalisciense, Santa Nella, California 6. La Piñata Taqueria, Vallejo, California Advertisement 7. Capitol Burger, Torrey, Utah 8. T-Loc's Sonora Hot Dogs, Austin, Texas 9. Mike's BBQ 101, Key Largo, Florida 10. Nico's Burgers, Los Angeles, California 11. Deckhand Dave's Fish Tacos, Juneau, Alaska 12. Taqueria Mi Guadalajara, Bishop, California 13. Mariscos Mi Gusto Es, San Diego, California 14. Aloha Shrimp, Hauula, Hawaii 15. Yoshi's Sushi, Portland, Oregon 16. Pit Stop Hawaii Food Truck, Honolulu, Hawaii 17. Ragga Surf Cafe, St. Augustine, Florida 18. Bake on the Run, Portland, Oregon 19. Paprika ATX, Austin, Texas 20. Iolani's Plate Lunch, Portland, Oregon
