c/food-truck-fans

Thought I hated seafood from trucks until a shrimp taco in Portland changed my mind

I've always avoided seafood from food trucks because I figured it would be rubbery or smell off. But last weekend I tried a shrimp taco from a truck called The Fishin' Boat near downtown Portland, and it was honestly the best taco I've had in months. Found out they get their shrimp fresh daily from a local market, which convinced me to give it a shot. Anyone else get burned by a food truck seafood dish before?

Warning: That new Korean taco truck downtown cost me $18 for three tacos that were basically just lettuce

I stopped by Seoul Seoul on 5th Street around noon yesterday and paid $18 for three tiny tacos that had maybe two bites of meat each, just a pile of shredded cabbage and a drizzle of sauce, has anyone else tried them or did I just get a bad batch?

That taco truck I hyped up ended up a total letdown

Honestly, I talked up this birria taco truck on Elm Street for weeks to my coworkers. Finally dragged three of them there last Friday, and the meat was dry and the consommé tasted like watery tomato sauce. Ngl, I felt so embarrassed I bought everyone a round of tacos from a different truck down the block to make up for it. Has anyone else had a spot go downhill fast, or did I just catch them on a bad night?

That Korean taco truck near my office finally got my order right after 8 tries

The bulgogi was actually warm this time and they didn't forget the pickled radish, so I guess persistence pays off, has anyone else had a food truck that just could not get it together for months?

The taco truck at my local farmer's market changed how I order now

I usually get the same thing everywhere - two al pastor tacos and call it a day. But last Saturday at the Greenwood Farmer's Market, the guy running the truck stopped me and said "try the tongue tacos, they're done right." I was nervous but I went for it. He charged me $3 extra and walked me through how they braise it for 6 hours. Now I always ask the cook what they're proud of before I order anywhere. Has anyone else had a vendor steer you to something totally unexpected?

Found out food truck fryers run way hotter than home ones

I was wondering why my homemade fries never turned out as good as the ones from Tony's Taco Truck downtown. Turns out their fryers run at 375 degrees while my home one tops out at 350. I looked it up on the Fryer Safety Institute website and the difference in crunch is huge. Now I just parboil my potatoes before frying and it gets closer but still not quite there. Has anyone figured out a home trick to match that food truck crunch?

Warning: Gourmet taco truck vs hole-in-the-wall taqueria, the fancy one lost hard

I dropped $14 on two fancy fusion tacos from a shiny truck downtown and they were dry and overstuffed, while the $2.50 street tacos from a beat-up old trailer in East LA blew them away with actual flavor, why do people keep hyping those overpriced trucks?

Tip: Order your food truck's specials by asking for the "off menu" item theyve been testing

Can we talk about the taco truck that opened next to the gas station on Broadway?

I drove past it for two weeks thinking it looked sketchy, but last Thursday I finally stopped after work. The guy running it is this older dude from Oaxaca who makes his own tortillas right there in a little press. I ordered three tacos al pastor for $9 and watched him slice the meat off the vertical spit. That first bite made me realize I've been wasting money at trendy spots downtown when this place has been hiding in plain sight. Has anyone else had a random food truck that totally wrecked your usual lunch routine?

Chat with a health inspector near the library food truck hub last Tuesday

I was waiting on a tamale truck downtown and a health inspector grabbed the same picnic table. He told me over half the trucks he visits don't hold cold items at the right temp, like 45 degrees instead of 40. Made me wonder, how many of you actually check the temps of what you're ordering?

Had a guy at a taco truck tell me his life story while we waited in line for 15 minutes

I was at this taco truck in Austin off South Congress last Saturday, and some older dude just started talking to me about how he used to run a food truck in the 90s before it was cool. He said 'I sold burritos out of a beat-up van, and now kids pay $15 for a fancy tortilla with truffle oil.' Has anyone else had random strangers at food trucks just unload their whole history on you?

The best pho truck in Austin tanked hard after just 6 months

I swear Pho Wheels was unstoppable last spring. Their broth was spot on, and they had this crispy spring roll that ruined me for other trucks. But around September the owner swapped out his banh mi bread for the cheap grocery store kind, and now there is almost nobody in line when I drive past. Has anyone else watched a food truck slide downhill that fast?

My buddy swore by this taco truck near downtown Austin, said the al pastor was the best he'd ever had. Drove 45 minutes there and it was closed for a private event.

Told the brisket guy his rub was too salty and he threw me a free sample of his new batch

Ngl, I felt like a jerk saying it out loud but he actually thanked me and changed up the blend the next week. Anyone else ever accidentally offend a food truck owner with honest feedback?

Food truck owner told me my menu was too big and I should cut half the items

I run a small taco truck in Denver and a guy who owns three successful trucks came by last month. He saw my menu board with 18 different items and told me I was killing my own business. He said people get overwhelmed and take too long to order when there's too many choices. I argued with him at first but then I noticed my line was moving super slow during lunch rush. I cut my menu down to 8 items last week and kept the 3 most popular salsas. My ticket times dropped by almost 4 minutes and people seem way happier. Has anyone else had a veteran owner give them feedback that actually hurt to hear but helped in the end?

I just learned how many tacos a popular truck sells in a day

I was talking to the owner of Taco Loco, the truck that parks by the riverfront, and he told me they sell about 800 tacos on a good Saturday. That blew my mind for a single truck. He said their carne asada is the top seller, making up almost half of those. Has anyone else been surprised by how much food a truck can push out?

Warning: I wasted 45 minutes trying to find a specific taco truck in Denver

I was craving the carnitas from 'El Jefe's Rolling Kitchen' after seeing a friend's post, but their social media said they'd be at a brewery downtown. I drove there, no truck. Checked two other spots they sometimes park at. Turns out they had a last-minute engine issue and posted an update on a different app I don't even have. Has anyone else had a food truck totally ghost them because they only post updates in one weird place?

Pro tip: The best food truck meal I ever had was from a truck everyone else seems to ignore

Three years ago at the summer festival in Springfield, I walked past the long line at the 'famous' taco truck and went to a quiet one called 'Hank's Grill' instead. I got their pulled pork sandwich for $9, and it was so tender and smoky, with this perfect vinegar slaw. I've been back every year since, and I still don't get why the line is always so short. Has anyone else found a hidden gem that gets no love?

Appreciation post: I just hit my 100th different food truck

I mean, I started keeping a list on my phone as a joke maybe three years ago, just to remember which ones were good. But last weekend at the Portland Night Market, I got a Korean corn dog from a truck called 'Seoul Dogs' and realized it was number 100. It kind of blew my mind because I never set out to do that, it just happened from chasing lunch around construction sites and hitting up weekend markets. The funny part is, my list has some wild notes, like 'taco guy who gave me free horchata after I dropped my first one' or 'the grilled cheese truck with the owner's pug in a little bandana'. It matters because it's this weird little record of my city and all the small spots that come and go. Has anyone else hit a weird number like that without even trying?

Question about a food truck line hack that actually worked

I was stuck in a 45 minute line for the famous 'Smoke Show BBQ' truck at the downtown festival last Saturday, and I was about to give up. Then I noticed they had a separate, much shorter line just for people ordering their brisket sandwich, which was all I wanted anyway. Has anyone else found a truck that does this, or was it just a lucky one-off thing?

Overheard a guy at the 'Big City Bites' truck say he'd driven 20 miles for their bulgogi fries. Tried them. He was right.

Spent $45 on a 'loaded' taco plate that was mostly shredded lettuce

I hit up this new truck called 'El Torito Bravo' at the downtown festival last weekend. The menu board had a picture of these huge tacos piled with carne asada, guac, pico, and cheese. I ordered the 'Grande Plate' for $45, thinking it would feed my family of four. What we got was four small street tacos on cold corn tortillas, each one with maybe an ounce of meat buried under a mountain of plain shredded iceberg lettuce. No guac in sight, just a tiny cup of watery salsa. The whole thing felt like a bait and switch. I've had amazing truck tacos for half that price. Has anyone else run into a truck that just uses cheap filler to make their portions look bigger?

Rant: The great taco truck parking spot hunt of last Thursday

I was trying to meet up with my buddy at the new 'El Jefe' truck downtown, but the spot they posted on their socials was taken by a construction crew. Took me 45 minutes of driving in circles, checking three different apps, to finally find them parked two blocks over by the library. Has anyone else had a truck move locations last minute like that?

Had to choose between two trucks at the downtown festival yesterday

I mean, the line for 'Big Mike's Bistro' was way shorter, but I'd heard 'La Catrina' had the best carnitas in the city. I went with La Catrina and waited 45 minutes, but idk, maybe it's just me but the tacos were kinda dry. Has anyone else tried both and felt the same way?

My buddy told me to skip the line at the 'Burger Beast' truck and try the fish tacos next door

He said the line was always too long for what you get, and the fish place was a hidden gem. I was skeptical because everyone raves about Burger Beast, but I listened. The fish tacos from 'Coastal Catch' were amazing, fresh cod with a killer lime slaw, and I got my food in under five minutes. Has anyone else found a better option by ignoring the biggest crowd?