The Best Food Trucks in Houston, and Where to Find Them

Find some of the best tacos in town to KBBQ, Gyros, and more.

Blk Mkt Birria's Tacos
Blk Mkt Birria | Blk Mkt Birria
Blk Mkt Birria | Blk Mkt Birria

This year, we’re thankful for the workhorses of the Houston food scene–food trucks. Whether they’re providing you some workday sustenance, or scratching a late-night food itch after a few too many hours at the bar, Houston food trucks are there for you. The finest of the bunch offer a glimpse into the city’s culinary and cultural diversity, slinging everything from off-the-charts Tacos Al Pastor to Kimchi Quesadillas and Smoked Brisket Pad Thai. Find them. Enjoy. Rinse. Repeat

Straight facts: You are not a Houstonian until you’ve hit the Tacos Tierra Caliente and West Alabama Ice House in a one-two punch. The taqueria on wheels doesn’t move its wheels at all, instead anchoring itself to a parking lot across from the quintessential Texas icehouse. Grab a few Trompo, Pastor, and Barbacoa tacos (with all the onions, cilantro, and fiery red and green sauces), bring ‘em over to a picnic table at the icehouse, and pair them with a tasty Texas brew. Now you’re a real local.
Where to find it: Parked across from West Alabama Ice House.

El Taconazo's Tacos
El Taconazo | El Taconazo

Northside
This is the place to satisfy your late-night taco cravings, but ya gotta bring some cash. Do that, and score perfect two-biters filled with fajita beef, barbacoa, lengua, and trompo, or go for the cheese-oozing quesadillas, and tack on extras like salsa, charro beans, and Mexican Coke.
Where to find it: Parked off Fulton Street next to a tire repair shop in Northside Village.

Gyro King
Gyro King

With its owners originally hailing from NYC, this Med Center food truck is a welcome addition to what was once a dining no man’s land. The focus here is on Mediterranean and halal street eats, including (but not limited to) chicken and rice, spot-on falafel, and gyros piled with lamb, chicken, fish, and chapli kebab. All of it is served with a hefty dose of white sauce and red sauce, as is tradition.
Where to find it: Hit it up at 2424 Old Spanish Trail till 2am on weekends and 11 pm on weekdays and Sunday.

The DoughCone
The DoughCone

Doin’ it for the ‘gram is one thing, but these DoughCones are actually worth swooning over. Part doughnut, part ice cream cone, the sweet pastry cones get a cinnamon-sugar coat on the outside, and the inner lining comes flavored with Nutella or Biscoff Cookie Butter. Fill it with swirled organic milk ice cream and add all the unlimited toppings you please, from Oreos and Gummy Bears to blackberries and toasted coconut flakes.
Where to find it: All around town (including hotspots like Buffalo Bayou and Hermann Park); look up the truck’s current location on Instagram or Facebook.

The Cuban Spot
The Cuban Spot

Paper-thin milanesa steak and mayo potato sticks stuffed into-just toasted Cuban bread. Pulled pork, ham, Swiss, mustard, and pickles smashed into a garlic butter panini. And a burger patty made with chorizo, pork, ground beef, and steak finished with habanero aioli and sweet plantain. Do we need to go on, or do the sandwiches here speak for themselves?
Where to find it: Honestly, this truck’s location spans all the cardinal directions (though as of late, you’ll often find it at Patterson Park). Do yourself a favor and scope it out online.

Oh My Gogi! BBQ
Oh My Gogi! BBQ

Houstonians have been going gaga for gogi since the way back days of 2011. That’s because the truck combines two things Houstonians love: Korean food, and Mexican food. The truck’s Korexican flavors are undeniably legit, from the cult favorite bulgogi-topped OMG! Fries to kimchi quesadillas.
Where to find it:Rice Village, The Galleria, Pearland, and… Oklahoma City?

The Burger Joint
Becca Wright/The Burger Joint

Though this food truck went brick-and-mortar (with big outposts in Montrose and the Heights), the original truck still dishes out hand-crafted burgers on soft, squishy buns. All are made with locally sourced Texas beef from 44 Farms and topped with goodness including bacon, jalapenos, fried egg, and chipotle mayo. Don’t forget the bacon-parm fries.
Where to find it: Catch the truck at places like UH and McIntyres or take advantage of its catering services around the Houston area.

Black Market Burritos
Blk Mkt Birria | Blk Mkt Birria

This ain’t your daddy’s birria, if your daddy ever made birria. The no border-blockbusters coming out of this food truck are actually legit–brimming with things like fall-apart birria beef or chicken, fries, Oaxaca cheese, and chipotle sauce. Get it in taco, torta, or french fry form.
Where to find it: A frequent visitor at 8th Wonder Brewery + Distillery, follow the truck’s whereabouts on Facebook, or order via Square.

Wokker Food Truck
Wokker Food Truck

This mobile eatery hits the road at locations around town, also offering a location in Underground Beer Hall and a brick-and-mortar on Airline for folks that need it all the time. The fare here mashes traditional Asian with old-fashioned Southern cooking, meaning you can stuff your gut with Cowboy Katsu (with katsu BBQ sauce), Smoked Brisket Pad Thai, and Bonito Brussels Sprouts.
Where to find it: Stay tuned to the truck’s current schedule on Facebook, or pop by one of its permanent locations.

 Foreign Policy Food Truck
Foreign Policy Food Truck

This worldly food truck works it all into its menu, from Korean Fries loaded with melty queso, kimchi, and BBQ bulgogi to a Mexican Burger stacked with spiced beef, pork fajitas, and mind-numbingly hot green salsa. There's also a Donut Bacon Cheeseburger, which we’re guessing comes from the fully American side of the menu.
Where to find it: Downtown, Pearland, and the Heights are just a few of the neighborhoods it hits up; and Facebook is the best place to find out where the truck will be slinging the goods next.

 Cousins Maine Lobster
Cousins Maine Lobster

You may have seen this food truck get funded on a little-known show named Shark Tank—and if it’s good enough for Barbara Corcoran, it’s good enough for us. Find ‘em all over town to get your lobster fix with badass, Maine-style lobster rolls that are way tastier and fresh than the lobster rolls you aren’t making for yourself right now.
Where to find it: All around town (in and out of the loop); the current food truck schedule is conveniently listed online in calendar form.

Kurbside Eatz
Kurbside Eatz

This standby has been hittin’ the pavement for over a decade, giving hungry Houstonians their fill of tacos, quesadillas, and fries with its unique Kurbside twist. That includes Miso Shrimp Tacos, Asian BBQ Beef Quesadillas, and overloaded Kurbside Fries. The Asian fusion treats are the perfect companion to booze, which is why the smart people behind this truck set up at tailgates, complex parties, and Lagoonfest.
Where to find it: A rotating selection of locales spanning Houston and beyond, which you can narrow down by checking Kurbside’s Facebook page.

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Brooke Viggiano is a Houston-based food writer who can’t decide if she wants bulgogi cheese fries or kimchi quesadillas right now. Help her decide @brookeviggiano on Twitter or @brookiefafa on IG.