Find your new favorite dish at any one these delicious food trucks around Central Florida.
Food trucks are everywhere in Central Florida these days. It used to be that you’d have to attend a food truck round-up in order to find some great mobile eats. Now, they’re parked at nearly every intersection, at places like gas stations or outside bars at closing time. You’ll still find great food truck events like the Daily City’s Food Truck Bazaar or Tasty Takeover, and even more gatherings at various farmers markets around town.
Having dinner from a local food truck can be an adventure! If you’re lucky enough to come across multiple trucks in the same location, it’s perfect for a family with a lot of different preferences. The possibilities are endless — Mexican street food, fresh-made sushi, ice cream treats of all sorts, and various elevated takes on your good, old-fashioned hot dog stand or taco truck. Or see what your babysitter or nanny is up to and make it a date night! Orlando has more than enough options for foodies of all palates.
Gratitude Coffee
Location: Most often found outside Cavanaugh’s Fine Wine, 1215 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804 | Check their Facebook page for other truck locations.
Phone: 407-421-0681
Gratitude Coffee is some of the best you’ll find in Orlando. Not only is it delicious, but Jenny, the owner, gets some seriously rave reviews for her friendliness. Starting your day at the Gratitude truck is a treat, and it’s super convenient if you’re anywhere near the College Park area. They used to park at a florist off Par Street but recently moved to the parking lot at Cavanaugh’s Fine Wine.
They offer a long list of coffee blends, cappuccinos, lattes, cold brews, and specialty teas. You’ll also find various baked goods, as available, like doughnuts, croissants, and cookies. Pick up some treats and stroll down Edgewater Drive with the kids if you have some extra time. Or head into work with a smile after your friendly morning at Gratitude!
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Location: Check their Facebook page for truck locations.
Phone: 321-226-8685
Kelly’s has opened a couple brick-and-mortar shops since it was just a cute little food truck peddling yummy ice cream. And there are a bunch of other contenders for best local ice cream/cold treats on wheels — the Midnight Sun Ice Cream Sandwich Co., Sweet City Gelato, Arctic Shaved Ice, Peak Season Pops, the Ice Cream Social Club, and Kona Ice, to name a few. But you can’t beat the original!
Order off the menu or pick up a hand-packed pint to take home. Flavors include the classics, some sorbets, and other specialty flavors like Oreo Dough, Cookie Monster, and Mexican Chocolate. Or try the Candy Cane ice cream, a special flavor for the holidays!
Da Kine Poke
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Snapchat
Location: Check their Facebook page for truck locations.
Phone: 407-629-6320
This poke craze has taken over Orlando in a really awesome way. So many restaurants are offering fresh, signature poke bowls, but Da Kine Poke stands out among the rest. There’s a weekly rotation of ahi, salmon, and tofu bowls that include nothing but the freshest, local ingredients. Their signature bowls include the Hawaiian Poke Bowl, Kimchi Poke Bowl, the El Diablo, and the Tropical Coconut Curry Poke Bowl.
They do have two locations, in Winter Park and downtown Orlando, but the truck can still be found all around town. Da Kine Poke truck is regularly at Tasty Takeover in the Milk District, as well as parked outside local bars like the Thirsty Topher and Redlight Redlight.
La Empanada
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Location: Check their Facebook & Twitter pages for truck locations.
Contact: 407-739-6355 | info@laempanadatruck.com
Thanks!! RT @OrlandoWeekly: 25 awesome Orlando food trucks and how to find them https://t.co/9Xkft2vVtJ pic.twitter.com/ti5LepgP0O
— la empanada (@laempanadatruck) October 10, 2016
The La Empanada food truck is easy to find at most food truck events around Orlando, and it’s often parked outside Will’s Pub or Big Daddy’s. They have a huge selection of their “pockets of food,” but check the website for their more specific daily menu. You can get three empanadas for $9, and let me tell you from experience, these are great to take home after a long night of revelry with your friends. They even have a delicious dessert empanada — the dark chocolate and sea salt.
La Empanada is one of the more active trucks around Orlando. You’ll find them out and about pretty much every weekend. But stay up to date with their Instagram page for the most current locations!
Treehouse Truck
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Location: Check their calendar or Facebook page for truck locations.
Contact: 407-346-8670 | treehousetruck@gmail.com
A husband-and-wife team started this food truck in 2011 with their amazing burgers and cheesesteaks. You can find them all over Central Florida, from Lakeland to Winter Haven to Tasty Takeover. Most recently, they served brunch at the Brunch Beer Release Party at Deadly Sins Brewing in Winter Park. Check their social media, as they keep it pretty well updated with upcoming events and locations.
Their menu includes beef or chicken cheesesteaks, two types of fries — seasoned or truffle (so good), and an assortment of gourmet burgers with some of the best toppings around. Try the Rachel’s Goat Cheese burger, with whipped goat cheese and balsamic glaze. Or have yourself a Ruckus Hangover, with hash browns, a fried egg, bacon, and serrano peppers. Top it all off with some deep-fried Oreos, because you kind of have to. But the menu varies based on what they’re offering on the truck that day, so come prepared for spontaneity!
Bem Bom
Location: Check their calendar or Facebook page for truck locations.
Phone: 321-236-2660
Join us @DowntownLkld tmr ngt for The Food Truck Rally @TBFTR from 6-9, Munn Park! pic.twitter.com/vRCXuRC97Y
— Bem Bom Food Truck (@BemBomFood) April 8, 2015
Bem Bom is a true mix of cuisines from around the world. The chef grew up in the Azores and has a strong Portuguese influence throughout his menu. There’s also plenty of Tex-Mex-type food, like quesadillas and tacos. But no matter the combination, you won’t be disappointed.
The menu includes things like the Rockin Taco, with rock shrimp and coconut habanero sauce, and The Bomb, which is a plate of fries with Thai chilies, Thai basil, white truffle oil, and parmigiano reggiano cheese. Or try the Nata, which is a Portuguese egg custard pastry.
Tamale Co.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Location: Check their Facebook page for truck locations.
Phone: 407-455-1580
You masa try this! (That’s a tamale pun.) You can put pretty much anything in a tamale — meat, fruit, veggies, cheese — and at Tamale Co., they do so with great success. They’re so successful, in fact, that they’re opening a take-out location in Altamonte Springs this December. They also regularly post Facebook Events on their page to let you know where they’ll be throughout Orlando.
Other than tamales with assorted delicious toppings, you’ll find more Mexican street foods like elote, agua fresca, and beans & rice. If you husk me, this place is one of the best. (Sorry, I can’t stop!)
Kona Dog
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Location: Check their Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages for truck locations.
Phone: 321-229-2585
Food trucks aren’t just glorified hot dog stands… but this hot dog truck is pretty glorious. The premium quality Hawaiian-style hot dogs are served on sweet bread any kid or adult will love. You can also order pulled pork, coconut shrimp, or a po’ boy. And there’s a whole other menu just for Kona Fries of all sorts, including Banzai Bacon Cheddar, Pacific Parmesan, and Big Island BBQ, topped with pulled pork.
Stay up to date with Kona Dog’s location on their social media pages, but also check out the calendar on their website. You’ll find them everywhere from St. Cloud to Mount Dora.
Monsta Lobsta
Location: Check their calendar or Facebook & Twitter pages for truck locations.
Contact: 407-492-0350 | kandreaus@monstalobsta.net
Who doesn’t love a savory lobster roll? Monsta Lobsta is bringing Maine straight to Central Florida with their regular and spicy lobster rolls, blue crab rolls, and “The Indecision,” which is a little of both crustaceans. They also offer some seriously good New England clam chowder and lobster bisque. By the way, you can also get a lobster roll with some of that bisque on top of it.
If you can’t get enough lobster, there’s another great truck rolling around town called Cousins Maine Lobster. They actually have trucks all over the country, as well as a restaurant in Santa Monica, California. Bottom line: Don’t miss out on lobster rolls just because we’re not in New England.
Little Blue Donut Co.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Location: Check their Facebook & Instagram pages for truck locations.
Phone: 407-575-0103
Last but not least, let’s talk about doughnuts. Orlando doesn’t have enough of them. While we’re patiently waiting for Federal Donuts to make its way to Central Florida, check out the Little Blue Donut truck. Their made-to-order doughnuts will make your night, and all the gourmet pre-made doughnuts they have to offer will never disappoint.
Their Samoa doughnut tastes like the Girl Scout Cookie of the same name. The cinnamon roll and salted caramel are the closest to classic doughnuts you’ll find here, among names like Sriracha Peanut and Choco Caramel PB Pretzel. You’ll walk away going, “Why don’t we have more doughnut shops in Orlando?!” For a conundrum like that, also check out Cinnamini Donuts.
There are so many amazing food trucks around Orlando that I really feel inclined to offer a few honorable mentions. When I asked around for friends’ favorites, a few people said, “You have to include a pizza place!” If I’m checking out a food truck, I’m usually hoping to try something a little different, so pizza is never my first choice. If it’s yours, try the always amazing 900 Degreez Pizza Food Truck, or the Crust Vegan Pizza Kitchen. For some great Asian fusion, try either the Korean BBQ Taco Box or Sushi & Seoul On the Roll. My husband would never forgive me if I left out his favorite, the Big Cheese Truck. And finally, try some classic Orlando trucks, like the Crepe Company, SwedeDISH, or the Pastrami Project.
Did we miss your favorite Orlando food truck? Let us know in the comments below!
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