Your guide to 20 food trucks in Charlotte serving everything from Mediterranean dishes to seafood
Food trucks are quite possibly one of the greatest inventions by all of mankind. Okay that was dramatic, but seriously there are tons driving around Charlotte that offer everything from Mediterranean dishes to seafood. Here are 20 to keep track of.
New Wrap Order
What: A multi-cuisine food truck bringing you internationally inspired wraps and bowls.
Order: The Dirty South bowl (roasted garlic aioli, jalapeno pimento cheese, crispy bacon, diced tomatoes, caramelized onions, shredded lettuce) or the Traditional bowl (basil avocado crema, pico de gallo, queso fresco, shredded lettuce, black beans, cilantro rice)
Find them here.
Rico’s Acai
What: One of the healthiest food trucks in Charlotte offering acai bowls and superfruit.
Order: The Panther bowl (1 pack acai puree, granola, banana, blueberries, blackberries and coconut flakes) or the Rainbow bowl (acai puree, granola, banana, strawberries, pineapple or mango, kiwi, blueberries, raspberries)
Find them here.
TIN Kitchen
What: Since 2010, Tin Kitchen has been serving items like tacos, sliders and quesadillas.
Order: The Chipotle Chicken quesadilla (chipotle braised chicken with smoked tomatoes, caramelized onions, monterey jack cheese and sour cream) or the Cilantro-Lime Shrimp taco (pan-seared shrimp over pickled cabbage slaw with cilantro-lime aioli)
Find them here.
What the Fries
What: It’s not too hard to guess that they serve…fries, along with burgers and tater tots. From loaded to truffle fries, they have it all.
Order: The Steak and Shrimp Hibachi Fries (sauteed steak, shrimp, bokchoy, carrots, house-made Yumm Yumm sauce, scallions) or the Cheesy Fry (boursin cheese sauce, asiago cheese, parmesan cheese)
Find them here.
Hiya Food Truck
What: This Korean food truck serves street style fusion.
Order: The Bulgogi Quesadilla or the Veggie Dumplings.
Find them here.
Yummi Banh Mi
What: Looking for Vietnamese street food? Then this food truck is for you.
Order: The Bahn Mi sandwich (8-inch baguette served with either BBQ pork, lemongrass beef, lemongrass chicken or Yummi tofu with garlic mayonnaise, cucumbers, pickled carrots and daikon, jalapenos and cilantro).
Find them here.
The Dumpling Lady
What: Their dumplings and noodles are made with a Sichuan (Szechuan) Chinese family recipe that goes back farther than anyone can remember.
Order: The Spicy Beef Noodles, Sweet Pork Belly dumplings or one of their rotating rice dishes.
Find them here.
Boone’s BBQ
What: Since we’re in the South, we all have our opinions on barbecue. Find some of the most mouthwatering at Boone’s.
Order: The Hand Pulled NC Pork Shoulder with Aunt Nell’s Mac-N-Cheese or the Jumbo Chicken Wings.
Find them here.
Bleu Barn Bistro
What: This food truck specializes in serving locally-sourced meat and produce.
Order: The Farm House Burger (grass fed beef, cheddar, shaved red onion, whole grain mustard and arugula on a toasted corn meal kaiser bun) or the French Onion Grilled Cheese (creamy mozzarella, French brie, sweet caramelized onions and roasted garlic aioli).
Find them here.
A Bao Time
What: Charlotte’s first bao truck serving locally crafted steamed buns and Asian street food.
Status: As of January 9, 2018, the team claimed to be closing their windows to open a new venue in South End Charlotte. Looks like we’ll have to stay tuned…
Keep an eye on them here.
Zaroob Food Truck
What: This food truck serves Halal prepared foods.
Order: The Chicken Kabab (marinated chicken cubes charcoal grilled and served with garlic sauce and rice) or the Falafel Sandwich (pita wrap with fried crispy falafel, lettuce, tomato, onion, parsley and pickles served with tahini sauce).
Find them here.
Papi Queso
What: Easily one of the most well-known food trucks in Charlotte serving up all things grilled cheese.
Order: The Lil’ Cheesy (classic childhood blend of cheddar, American and provolone, sea salt and herbs) or the Pig Mac (heritage pulled pork, mac n’ cheese, bourbon onions and cheddar).
Find them here.
Fresh Med
What: A Charlotte-based food truck featuring Mediterranean fusion cuisine
Order: The Italian Grinder (prosciutto, capiccola, Genoa salami, ham, halloumi-fontina cheese, lettuce, banana peppers, red onion, special dressing, served warm wrapped in naan bread) or the Greek Chicken Salad (grilled chicken, served on top of their Greek-style salad with house dressing)
Find them here.
Wingzza
What: A food truck serving up pizza and wings. What could be better?
Order: The wings with crinklecut fries and their Mambo sauce or the Wingzza Mambo Wrap (chicken, Mambo sauce, iceberg lettuce, blue cheese dressing or ranch and a whole wheat wrap).
Find them here.
Lobster Dogs
What: Like seafood? Then you’ll love Lobster Dogs, which serves up lobster, shrimp, crab dogs and more.
Order: The Lobster Roll (toasted split top with a swipe of mayo, piled high with fresh chilled lobster, topped with warm lemon butter and special seasonings) or The Free Bird (fresh whole avocado stuffed with grilled and chilled spicy buffalo chicken then topped with pico de gallo, mixed cheese, hickory smoked bacon bits and drizzled with house made ranch dressing).
Find them here.
TRUE Crafted Pizza
What: Pizza. Pizza. Pizza. Do we need to say anything else?
Order: Bacon and Egg Pizza (applewood smoked bacon, fried egg, roasted potatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil) or the Prosciutto di Parma (arugula, fig preserve, balsamic glaze, shaved asiago cheese and parmesan cheese).
Find them here.
Two Chicks and a Truck
What: The Long Island owners offer all types of food but are best known for their Philly Cheese Steaks.
Order: The Down South Chicken Philly (thinly sliced chicken, jalapenos, bacon jam, grilled onions, provolone and garlic mayo) or the Bourbon Chicken Quesadilla (pulled chicken tossed in Bourbon BBQ, red onion, cheddar and pineapple).
Find them here.
Cousins Maine Lobster
What: One of the newest food trucks to Charlotte is Cousins Maine Lobster, yes the guys from Shark Tank. It opens April 27.
Order: The Maine Lobster Roll (Maine lobster, served chilled, with a touch of mayo, served on a New England style roll) or the Lobster Tacos (Maine lobster, served with cabbage, pico de gallo, cilantro lime sauce on flour tortillas).
Find them here.
Strudelteig
What: This European-style food truck is bringing Europe to the streets of the Queen City, offering lunch, dinner and dessert.
Order: The Schnitzelsemmel (traditional Viennese breaded pork cutlet, served on a scratch-made Kaiser roll with traditional Viennese-style potato salad) or the Bavarian Pretzel Sandwich (Bavarian-style pretzels, sliced horizontally and filled in true ‘4th Earl of Sandwich’ style. Various meat and/or vegetarian options made-to-order.
Find them here.
Wentworth & Fenn
What: Pastry chef Samantha Allen is expected to open a dessert camper in an upfitted Shasta 61 this summer or early fall.
Order: Menu items could include everything from a Dark Chocolate Cookie Sandwich filled with Pistachio Butter to a Lemon and Pinenut Biscotti.
Find them: This summer or early fall
RELATED: What to taste when this pastry chef rolls out her ‘dessert camper’ this fall.
This story was originally published April 27, 2018 at 1:00 AM.