Mobile munchies. Street eats. Whatever buzzphrase attributed to them, food trucks have quickly made their way beyond the nation’s biggest metro areas and onto America’s Main Street in what could only be described as a foodie revolution.
But let’s face it: Food trucks are as ubiquitous as they are edgy and inventive, meaning this road (err, list) ain’t big enough for everyone, so we scoured the roadside's quirkiest contenders for those most outside the (lunch)box.
Whether it’s the signature snacks and meals or the trucks themselves, we’re clearly partial to those who take the creative route, and as such, the following are just some of our favorite “wheely” good eats of the mobile persuasion.
Have your own favorite neighborhood food truck? Nominate your local bests in the comments below, and let other HuffPost readers know what dish to take a chance on—the bolder, the better.
Our Favorite Innovative Food Trucks Across America
Streetza, Milwaukee, Wis.(01 of13)
In what may qualify as crowd-sourced and "crowd-sauced," the popularity of Streetza is owed to its loyal fanbase of pizza fanatics. From the truck design to the company logo right down to the pizza varieties themselves (pumpkin pizza, crab leg pizza, and s'mores pizza), customers have had a hand in dictating Streetza's success in what GQ proclaimed as nothing short of "delicious populism."http://streetza.com/Twitter: @streetzapizzaFollowers: 9,261Try This: A slice of Milwaukee, The Wisconsin State Fair chili slice (credit:https://www.facebook.com/streetzapizza)
Kogi, Los Angeles, Calif.(02 of13)
Started in 2008 on the streets of L.A., Kogi is known for serving up Korean BBQ to hungry Angelenos and forcing other serious crafters of the cuisine to rethink mobile vending as a legitimate means of operation.By making the rounds largely in Rowland Heights, Diamond Bar, Granada Hills, Venice, and El Segundo, Kogi has created a rabid following with an insatiable craving for their signature short rib taco that has since become an L.A. classic.http://kogibbq.com/Twitter: @kogibbqFollowers: 99,780Try This: Blackjack quesadilla, short rib tacos (credit:https://www.facebook.com/KogiBBQTacos)
Viking Soul Food, Portland, Ore.(03 of13)
Did you know that Viking ships may have actually reached North America shores as early as 986 AD? That's a good 506 years before our boy Columbus. Vikings have long been synonymous with adventure and Portland's Viking Soul Food Truck proudly carries on the tradition. Housed in a resplendent airstream, dubbed "Gundrun," Viking Soul serves up epic eats like Norse Meatballs, Lingonberry Wraps and the extremely Norwegian-sounding Lefse. All we have to say is: "Viking Soul Food Truck, you have our axe."http://www.vikingsoulfood.comTwitter: @vikingsoulfoodFollowers: 253Try This: Norse Meatball, Lefse (credit:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viking-Soul-Food/125290894155494)
Solar Waffle Works, Portland, Ore.(04 of13)
Boasting a smorgasbord of breakfast batters, sweet jams and syrupy goodness, Solar Waffle Works' clientele comes for the Belgian waffles and returns for what truly sets this breakfast slinger apart: The truck itself is solar-powered, and is in partnership with SolTrekker, a not-for-profit behind educating low-income schools on renewable energy. Add to that, Solar Waffle Works helps to support its public school students' transitions after high school through workplace training.Twitter: @solarwaffles Followers: 57Try This: The Wiffle Waffle, The Maple Bacon (credit:Getty Images)
Taceaux Loceaux, New Orleans, La.(05 of13)
If the name isn't enough to tip you off, Taceaux Loceaux is essentially a cross-cultural taco utopia (tacotopia?) that fuses elements of Cajun, Mexican, Tex-Mex and even Korean cuisine. Armed with dishes like a slow-cooked brisket taco called "Messin' With Texas," as well as the Korean-inspired "Seoul Man," Taceaux Loceaux has managed to cultivate a diehard following. So much so, hungry fans constantly monitor TL's Twitter account in hopes of catching its next delicious stop.Twitter: @TLNolaFollowers: 4,211Try This: Messin' With Texas, Seoul Man (credit:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Taceaux-Loceaux/197553386988821)
Purple Carrot, Lansing, Mich.(06 of13)
Recognized as one of America's favorite vegetarian trucks, Purple Carrot works with 11 local farms to offer high-quality, fresh fare that's not only good, but good for you. Considering the landscape of food trucks largely purveying an unhealthy helping of fat and grease, the eat-local mission of Purple Carrot makes it nothing if not guiltless grub. Those feeling indulgent, however, can opt for cake pops (in maple and butternut squash flavors) or a slew of meatier dishes.http://thepurplecarrottruck.comTwitter: @eatpurplecarrotFollowers: 1,367Try This: Eggplant meatball hoagie, crispy lake trout sammy, tofu banh mi crostini (credit:https://www.facebook.com/eatpurplecarrot)
GastroPod, Miami, Fla.(07 of13)
Miami's Gastropod is a sleek airstream converted in to a mobile food laboratory specializing in "experimental preparation techniques." The menu is eclectic, with the dominant theme being something along the lines of cross-cultural BBQ meets food science. Also noteworthy is Gastropod's 5,941 followers (and growing) on Twitter -- definitely a good sign in the food truck business. http://gastropodmiami.comTwitter: @gastroPodMiamiFollowers: 5,941Try This: Dirty Chips (homemade chips cooked in pork fat, spicy mayo and slaw bits), gastroFizz (bacon infused cream soda), turboDawg (all beef dog, kewpie, eel sauce, nori) (credit:https://www.facebook.com/gastroPodMiami)
Schnitzel & Things, New York, N.Y.(08 of13)
Schnitzel may not scream "All-American," but with a hungry clientele as diverse as New York City's, the variety is welcome and appreciated.As one of the city's reigning food truck champs, the Austrian-inspired menu offers, of course, schnitzel (handmade veal golden-fried in panko), as well as chicken, cod, eggplant, brats, potato salad, and a bevvy of other flavorful "things." If the foreign-meets-familiar flavor don't win you over, their crusty ciabatta bread baked daily in one of the city's oldest family-owned bakeries just may.http://schnitzelandthings.comTwitter: @schnitznthingsFollowers: 11,061Try This: Veal schnitzel, Austrian potato salad (credit:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Schnitzel-Things/110740184988)
Coreanos, Austin, Texas(09 of13)
Even in the overcrowded arena of Korean-fusion cuisine, Coreanos in Austin (and now Houston!) is carving out a name for themselves. Recently voted 8th best food truck in the nation by Smithsonian Mag, Coreanos boasts "Mexican cuisine with Korean in between." Standout options are the 3-meat craziness of the "Three Wise Fries," bacon-wrapped hot dogs and any of the burritos cooked with kimchi and a sesame oil vinagrette.http://www.coreanostx.comTwitter: @CoreanosATXTwitter followers: 1,577Try This: Three Wise Fries. Bacon-wrapped hot dog (credit:https://www.facebook.com/coreanosTX)
Fojol Brothers, Washington, D.C.(10 of13)
Washingtonians looking to "get away" for lunch or dinner needn't look too far when it comes to this self-proclaimed "travelling culinary carnival" of Indian fare. Known for slinging cuisine from the fictional lands of Merlindia, Benethiopia, and Volathai, Fojol Brothers piles on the theatricality with names and costumes as festive as its food. Those looking for a milder alternative to the curry can take solace in relishing the foodie-favorite Butter Chicken and Lassi pops.Twitter: @fojolbrosFollowers: 12,062Try This: Berbere beef, butter chicken (credit:https://www.facebook.com/fojolbros)
Torched Goodness, Phoenix, Ariz.(11 of13)
Food trucks tend to stick to one or the other: hot or cold. Despite being a little bit of both, Torched Goodness is anything but middle of the road.Favoring gourmet over grease and operated by a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, Torched Goodness offers up a more refined confectionary lot of crème brûleé and custards using only organic ingredients, all of which are "torched to order."Best of all, their expansive 30-flavor menu includes everything from PB & J to lavender to old-school chocolate and, if you don't see what you want on the menu, they'll create it for you right on the spot.http://www.torchedgoodness.comTwitter: @torchedgoodnessFollowers: 2,290Try This: Sea salt caramel (credit:https://www.facebook.com/torchedgoodness)
East Side King, Austin, Texas(12 of13)
Here's a food truck that Anthony Bourdain once called "Japanese drunk food fusion." We love that description! East Side King has quickly grown to three locations in Austin. Unlike many food trucks, which tend to be heavy on the meat, East Side King features some incredible vegetarian options for its patrons. Standouts include curry buns made with homemade peanut butter curry, fried brussels sprout salad, and ginger garlic jasmine rice.http://www.eastsidekingaustin.comTwitter: @EastSideKingATXFollowers: 2,057Try This: Curry Bun, Fried Brussels Sprout Salad (credit:https://www.facebook.com/eastsidekingaustin)
CapMac, Washington, D.C.(13 of13)
Whether you're in for a nostalgic dorm-room style dish of mac 'n' cheese sprinkled with Cheez-Its crackers or a more highbrow serving of goat cheese mac with crispy onion, braised pork and fall greens (for healthful measure), CapMac has something for everyone. And if you're not down with overdoing it in cheesy goodness (who are you?), the bright yellow truck serves chicken parmesan meatballs, as well as other spins on comfort food.Twitter: @CapMacDCFollowers: 8,629Try This: Classic CapMac'n Cheese (balls out) (credit:https://www.facebook.com/CapMacDC)