The Best Food Trucks That Travel from Coast to Coast
Updated: Jul. 13, 2022
While many food trucks stay local, these big-name restaurants on wheels are making stops all over the country.
Food trucks have really hit their heyday over the past decade. You’ve seen them in movies (seriously, watch the movie Chef), at local festivals and perhaps even rallying outside your workplace during lunch. However, if you’re traveling from state to state, it’s unlikely that you’ll see the same mobile restaurant twice. This is because strict laws and regulations keep food trucks from traveling across state lines. Also, it’s pretty tricky to get a street permit in one city, much less multiple.
That being said, a handful of food trucks tour from coast to coast. Keep on the lookout for these standouts near you. (Food truck fan? Here are the etiquette tips you need to know.)
Auntie Anne’s
Yep, that’s right! Everyone’s favorite pretzel shop is busting out of the food court and taking to the streets. Auntie Anne’s has deployed an entire food truck fleet across America to deliver their signature soft pretzels, dips and ice-cold lemonade. Find out if there’s a pretzel truck near you.
Cousins Maine Lobster
With a little help from Shark Tank, two cousins took Maine’s most iconic sandwich mainstream. Their food trucks (which are now in 28 major U.S. cities) deliver 100% wild-caught Maine lobster meat that’s heaped on a New England-style split-top bun. Haven’t tried a lobster roll yet? Make our copycat recipe at home.
Coolhaus
This California-cool brand is on our list of the best ice creams you haven’t tried yet. With tons of wild flavors like matcha mochi and churro dough, you’ll definitely find one to love. Staffers in Coolhaus’ Airstream-style food trucks are currently scooping cones in Dallas, NYC and LA.
The Cow and the Curd
As Wisconsinites, we may be a little biased, but we support The Cow and the Curd’s mission to bring Midwestern fare up and down the East Coast. You’ll find this food truck slinging fried cheese curds at events in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland (with plans to grow!). Check out their schedule or learn how to make your own Midwestern comfort foods with our tried-and-true recipes.
Arby’s
The fast-food giant is touring its food truck—Arby’s Roadside Meathouse—across the U.S., bringing its mouthwatering roast beef sandwiches and signature curly fries with it. (Psst! Here’s how to make your favorite restaurant-style fries at home.) While Arby’s HQ is located in Georgia, the truck will travel as far as Nevada to join in the Internet sensation Storm Area 51 with hopes to feed a few extraterrestrials on the way.
Kona Ice
Kona Ice is the king of the national food truck biz. With more than 1,000 food trucks in 48 states, you’ve likely already tried their shaved ice treats. The premise is simple: Top your shaved ice with sugary, fruity flavors like Blue Raspberry, Lucky Lime or Monster Mango. Some trucks let you choose as many flavors as you’d like! Re-create that atmosphere at home by learning how to host your own snow cone party.
Barbecued Chicken PizzasSo fast and so easy with refrigerated pizza crust, these saucy, smoky pizzas make quick fans with their rustic, hot-off-the-grill flavor. They're perfect for impromptu cookouts and summer dinners on the patio. —Alicia Trevithick, Temecula, California
Green Tomato BLTI absolutely love tomatoes, any kind, any size. Being from the South, that includes fried green tomatoes. I created a special summer sandwich to show them off. —Hillian Holmgren, Del Rio, Texas
Korean Beef and RiceA friend raved about Korean bulgogi, which is beef cooked in soy sauce and ginger, so I tried it. It's delicious! You'll dazzle the table with this tasty version of Korean beef and rice. —Elizabeth King, Duluth, Minnesota
Farmers Market EnchiladasThese vegetarian enchiladas use a lot of garden favorites in a quick weeknight meal. Feel free to substitute whatever vegetables you have from your garden—yellow summer squash, eggplant and corn all taste great here, too.
—Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah
Tasty BurritosMy cousin is of Mexican heritage, and I’ve watched her make this crunchy beef burrito recipe for years. The very first time I made them for my own family, they instantly became a favorite meal. They’re even better warmed up the next day in the microwave. —Debi Lane, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Banh Mi SkewersI love banh mi sandwiches but wanted to make them a little easier to serve for a party. These skewers are a really fun twist! For easier prep on the day of the party, make the meatballs in advance and freeze them. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Frozen Banana Cereal PopsWhen we want a healthy snack, we dip bananas in yogurt, roll 'em in cereal, then freeze. Ta-da! —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Old-Time Custard Ice CreamI think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and the perfect indulgence on a hot summer afternoon. —Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas
Loaded Waffle FriesMake any dinner fun with my Loaded Waffle Fries, topped with a savory blend of cheese, scallions and bacon. I copied this family-favorite recipe from a local restaurant, and it's great with hot dogs, burgers or by itself. —Jeffrey Viccone, Decatur, Illinois
No-Fry Fried Ice CreamThis ice cream has a crispy cinnamon coating just like the fried ice cream served at Mexican restaurants, but minus the oily mess. Make ahead of time and freeze until serving. —Tim White, Windsor, ON
Easy Pad ThaiSkip the take-out restaurant and give this pad thai recipe a try if you need an easy and quick meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
BLT Waffle SlidersCraving a BLT for breakfast? Try a deliciously different version that features crisp bacon and fresh tomatoes between two golden cornmeal waffles. Prepare the waffles ahead of time and reheat in the toaster for quick assembly. —Stacy Joura, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania.
Strawberry Watermelon SlushWe like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana
Bang Bang Shrimp Cake SlidersMy family loves these shrimp sliders. The bang bang slaw dressing and shrimp cake patties can be made ahead. When ready to serve, toss the cabbage slaw and sear the shrimp cakes, then assemble and enjoy. —Kim Banick, Salem Oregon
Ice Cream Cone TreatsI came up with this recipe as a way for my grandkids to enjoy Rice Krispies treats without getting sticky hands. You can also pack the cereal mixture into paper cups and insert a wooden pop stick to create cute pops. —Mabel Nolan, Vancouver, Washington
Toasted Mexican RavioliWe like Mexican and Italian foods, so spicy breaded ravioli gives us the best of both worlds. We serve sauce on the side and pass the queso fresco. —Cristy King, Scott Depot, West Virginia
Lime-Chipotle Carnitas TostadasHere's a terrific recipe for your next weeknight dinner. Set out various toppings and garnishes so your family members can customize their own tostadas with the lime-kissed shredded pork. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
Candy Craze Ice Cream SandwichesThese ice cream sandwiches have a little bit of everything in them to satisfy all your cravings. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Rhubarb Lemonade SlushMy family loves rhubarb, and this is such a fun way to enjoy it. It's nice to have in the freezer and bring out when guests drop by. Even people that aren't crazy about rhubarb enjoy it. —Cathie Beard, Philomath, Oregon
Cheesy Ham & Egg SandwichesI turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier that you could even enjoy for dinner. We pile toppings like salsa and avocado—mayo and ketchup, too—on the homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Basil Chicken Sandwiches"I got the inspiration for this recipe when I knew my parents and in-laws were coming to see our new home," shares Kerry Durgin Krebs of New Market, Maryland. "My mother-in-law has food allergies, my father-in-law has some very specific food preferences and my parents appreciate light meals. I created this chicken sandwich with fresh basil for our lunch."
Stuffed PB&J French Toast KabobsI turned peanut butter and jelly into French toast. Cut up and skewer these nifty sandwiches. You win the crown for creative parent of the year. Check out my blog, nibblesbynic.com, for more fun food ideas. —Nicole Meyer, Roslyn, New York
Brownie Affogato SundaesWe can’t resist brownie sundaes. I combined an affogato (coffee-based beverage) idea with a brownie to get this decadent sundae that mixes it all in there: warm, cold, sweet and salty. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Falafel Chicken Burgers with Lemon SauceFalafel burgers with lemon yogurt sauce mark the first recipe I created myself. Use leftover mix to make chicken falafel or falafel with veggies or fish. —Nicole Mederos, Hoboken, New Jersey
Barbecued Chicken Salad SandwichesAn impromptu picnic inspired this BBQ chicken salad sandwich. An instant summertime favorite, these dressed-up sandwiches have become a mainstay at our house. —Linda Orme, Battleground, Washington
Originally Published: September 04, 2019
