20 Must-Try Food Trucks in Charlotte
From cheese-forward dishes to authentic Thai and Mexican classics, Charlotte’s food trucks are serving up delicious, photo-worthy dishes on the go.
by Jessica Swannie
With increased demand for outdoor, easily accessible meals, Charlotte food trucks have been serving everything from traditional comfort food to authentic family dishes and refreshing treats in and around the Queen City. Whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a Food Network, “Great-Food-Truck-Race”-style adventure, local trucks are serving mobile, can’t-miss dishes. In the words of Tyler Florence, host of “The Great Food Truck Race,” “Let’s get rollin’.”
Here’s where to eat if you’re in the mood for:
Something Cheesy
Maria’s
Location: Check Maria’s Facebook and Instagram posts for upcoming locations. Online pre-order is recommended.
Order: Bacon Mac or Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Known for serving the ultimate comfort food — chicken tenders and mac and cheese — Maria’s is a go-to spot for a big, hot bowl of gooey mac.
Carolina Smash Truck
Location: Look for upcoming locations on the Carolina Smash Truck Facebook and Instagram.
Order: Bacon Cheddar Jam (applewood bacon jam, granny smith apple, baby arugula, white cheddar, deli mustard) or Southern Porky Mac (hickory smoked pork, mac and cheese, cherry peppers)
This truck specializes in “smashing” together different dishes to create original eats, most of which are centered around the grilled cheese.
Something Authentic
Bayou Betty
Location: Find the Bayou Betty schedule on Instagram.
Order: Alligator Po Boy (served on toasted French bread dressed with mayo, sliced tomato, shredded lettuce, spicy Cajun remoulade) or Bayou Nachos (fresh-fried tortilla chips with diced andouille sausage, Mama’s dirty rice, spicy white cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes)
Founded by Locke Mouton — son of a Lafayette native whose roots trace back to the Bayou — Bayou Betty brings authentic Cajun cuisine to Charlotte, from etouffee to gumbo and Cajun barbecue.
Deejai Food Truck
Location: Follow Deejai Food Truck on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming locations.
Order: Satay Chicken (grilled chicken skewers with peanut sauce and pickle cucumber mix) or Pad Thai (choice of chicken, tofu or shrimp)
Serving authentic Thai cuisine, Deejai Food Truck is a go-to spot for pad Thai, lo mein, yellow curry and more.
Dumpling Girls
Location: Find the Dumpling Girls upcoming schedule on Facebookand Instagram.
Order: Spicy Chicken Dumplings (10 boiled dumplings with specialty spicy sauce, topped with cilantro and green onion) or Shrimp and Pork Dumpling Combo
Inspired by her father’s Sichuan-style cooking, Rebecca Huang founded the Dumpling Girls, a food truck serving cuisine prepared with traditional Chinese cooking methods.
Yummi Banh Mi
Location: Follow Yummi Banh Mi on Facebookand Instagram for an updated schedule. Online pre-order is recommended.
Order: Vietnamese BBW Pork Banh Mi or the Lemongrass Chicken Rice Bowl
Established in 2014, this food truck serves authentic banh mi with a side of welcoming service.
Something Hearty
Ace of Spuds
Location: Follow the Ace of Spuds schedule on Facebookand Instagram.
Order: Cajun Shrimp Potato (shimp, chef’s sauce, onions) or Smoked Gouda Chicken Potato (gouda, chicken, peppers, onions)
If you’re craving a loaded baked potato with all the fixings, head to Ace of Spuds truck for a heaping dollop of whipped cream and mouthwatering toppings.
Sandra Lee’s Country Kitchen
Location: Follow Sandra Lee’s Country Kitchen on Facebook and Instagram for the upcoming schedule and chef specials.
Order: Baby Back Ribs and Mac and Cheese
Initially founded by Charlottean Willie Walters as a catering company, Sandra Lee’s Country Kitchen is now a go-to spot for Southern eats, including shrimp and grits, chicken bog and banana pudding.
Tacos Rick-O
Location: Find Tacos Rick-O six days a week at Hoppin’(1402 Winnifred St.)
Order: Birria Tacos (cheesy braised beef tacos served with a cup of consomme soup) or Chori-Pollo Bowl (Mexican rice, marinated chicken, chorizo, queso fundido, five cheese blend, cilantro
Founded by Ricky Ortiz, who was born and raised in Durango, Mexico, Tacos Rick-O serves bold street food flavors inspired by colorful, authentic Mexican food.
Something Healthy
Chickpeasy on Wheels
Location: Find the Chickpeasy on Wheels schedule on Facebookand updates on
Order: Sampler Platter (cucumber salad, hummus, pita chips, tahini, falafel) or Kefta Pita Sandwich (Lebanese-style ground beef served on grilled pita with hummus spread, lettuce, tomato, onion, feta, tahini sauce)
Born out of a passion for making people happy through great food, Chickpeasy on Wheels serves dishes inspired by classic Mediterranean cuisine with a creative twist.
Rico’s Acai
Location: Find the Rico’s Acai truck locations on Facebookand Instagram.
Order: Rainbow Bowl (acai puree, banana, granola, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, blueberries, raspberries) or Butter Bro Bowl (acai puree, banana, granola, almond butter, peanut butter, Nutella, hemp seeds)
Puerto Rico natives Matt and John Williams founded Rico’s Acai to bring vibrant, flavorful snacks and meal replacements to North Carolina. In addition to the truck, Rico’s has five brick-and-mortar locations in the Charlotte metro area.
Something New
Another?! Food Truck
Location: Find the most up-to-date Another!? Food Truck schedule on Street Food Finder or Instagram.
Order: Viva la Juicy (creative twist on traditional Mexican birria consomme) or Carolina Patriot (a lobster-roll-style meal but with shrimp)
Launched in summer 2020, Another!? Food Truck blends nostalgic Southern and Northeastern dishes with a modern twist.
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers
Location: Follow Romeo’s Vegan Burgers on Facebookand Instagram for locations and events.
Order: Where Art Thou Romeo Burger (lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, vegan cheese, house pickles) or Chili Cheese Fries (onions, vegan cheese, vegan chili)
Initially opened in November 2020, this food truck has quickly gained popularity for its 100 percent plant-based vegan menu, including vegan burgers with vegan buns and plant-based cheese.
Something Vegan
Mac’D Vegan
Location: Find upcoming Mac’D Vegan locations on Facebookand Instagram.
Order: Build-your-own bowls, including a mushroom or chicken Philly, MAC Attack, or Chick’n Salad
Passion for high-quality vegan food and a love for local business are baked into every dish at Mac’D Vegan, serving a 100 percent vegan menu with no cross contamination.
Soul Miner’s Garden Food Truck
Location: Check the Soul Miner’s Garden Food Truck website, Facebook and Instagram pages for upcoming events and locations. You can also order for pickup on the website.
Order: Burrito Basket (black bean and queso burrito with fresh, hand-cut chips and salsa) or Beans ‘N Greens Bowl (signature collard greens topped with pinto beans, sweet chow chow, chopped onions)
This all-vegan food truck serves a variety of dishes using as many fresh, local ingredients as possible.
Something Sweet
Patty & the Dogs
Location: Visit the Patty & the Dogs Facebookor Instagram page for schedules. Ordering ahead is recommended.
Order: Gelato Cup (choice of vanilla or chocolate) or Dalmatian Sundae (crumbled Oreo cookies, whipped cream, cherry)
Part grill, part creamery, this food truck slings hand-smashed patties, all-beef hot dogs, premium sausages and Italian gelato.
Detour Coffee Bar
Location: Check the online calendar or Instagramfor upcoming locations.
Order: Frappes (Ice blended with freshly pulled espresso, flavors include caramel, vanilla, mocha, white mocha, coffee) or Hot Chocolate (Phillips chocolate or white chocolate and steamed milk
Established in 2019 by a former bookstore barista, Detour Coffee Bar is a full-service mobile coffee shop offering locally roasted coffee, espresso and handcrafted beverages.
Emergensweets
Location: Follow Emergensweets on Facebookand Instagramfor upcoming locations.
Order: Cheesecake Jar (flavors include Oreo, strawberry, cotton candy, Butterfinger, cinnamon roll, snickerdoodle and more) or Ice Cream (birthday cake, chocolate brownie, cookie monster, orange dreamsicle, coffee and donuts, and more)
Designed to mimic the style of an ambulance, Emergensweets is a family-owned dessert truck serving cheesecakes, ice cream, cobblers and more.
Something with National Acclaim
Tin Kitchen
Location: View the Tin Kitchen schedule online. Pre-orders are available day-of. Additional information on locations is available on Facebook and Instagram.
Order: BBQ Beef Brisket Tacos (slow-braised beef brisket with house-made barbecue sauce, chipotle slaw, scallions) or Pork Al Pastor Quesadilla (slow-roasted Guajillo-chile-rubbed pork shoulder, caramelized onions, Monterey jack cheese, crumbled queso fresco, sour cream)
One of Charlotte’s original food trucks, Tin Kitchen serves up tacos, quesadillas and sliders — all of which earned it national acclaim on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Something for Furry Friends
Yappy Hour Bakery
Location: Check out the online schedule for upcoming locations, or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
Order: Bark Island Iced Tea Treats, Fire Hydrant Cake
A mobile dog treat truck, Yappy Hour Bakery is Charlotte’s first food truck dedicated to serving pup-forward snacks.
