From the staple fare of stews, beans, and crackers, we’ve come a long way and expect much more than the old cellophane-wrapped sandwich of the 1950s and 1960s, paired with stale coffee. Ethnic cuisines and hot meals prepared to order are now commonplace for office workers on the go and we are willing to pay top dollar for convenience.
In the 1950s, mobile canteens served US Army troops on bases and on maneuvers, but they were little more than regulation food. Americans expect much more, and creative purveyors are happy to answer the call. From the first ice cream trucks to the hot dog vendors with their Vienna Beef umbrellas, thousands pour out of offices, factories and stores, and head for that truck down the street where they know what they’ll find and don’t mind standing in line to buy it. he. Who needs vending machine food or fast food burgers when we can get fresh falafel packed in pita bread, a plate of nachos, or real fish and chips wrapped in newspaper? Evolving from the “roach coach” of the past to a venue that launched the careers of many executive chefs, food trucks now even cater to special events, college campuses, conferences, and weddings.
Let’s take a look at the latest and most popular offerings of these meals-on-wheels across the country. Most of these truck operators also have restaurants in multiple locations, and many are chefs and culinary school graduates:
The Grilled Cheeserie – From Basic Subs to Designer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Nashville
The Taco Truck – A variety of tacos and toppings, as well as burritos, Hoboken, NJ
Fukuburger Truck – Real last name of its Japanese owner, burgers feature unusual Asian dressings and sauces, Las Vegas
Mac Mart Truck: Take Mac and Cheese to a New Level with Creative Ingredients, Philadelphia
Luke’s Lobster – Lobster, crab and shrimp rolls for around $17 (clearly not for those on a budget) New York City
The Cow and Curd: cheese curds, battered and fried, with dipping sauces, Philadelphia
Kogi BBQ: Creative and Diverse Korean Cuisine, Los Angeles
Mrs. Cheezious: More Designer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, One of America’s Favorite Comfort Foods, Miami
Cinnamon Snail – Vegan food for the more health-conscious, non-meat-eating crowd, not a snail in sight (go figure) NYC
Oink and Moo BBQ – Award Winning Pork & Beef BBQ With All the Trimmings, NJ
If you venture into ethnic neighborhoods, like a big city’s Chinatown, you’ll obviously find a preponderance of their native cuisines on the streets, but in general, these are the most common menu items across the country:
barbecue
Burgers
hot dogs
Coffee and coffee drinks
Smoothies/healthy drinks and juices
“Adult” Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
sliders
cupcakes and desserts
Street tacos and burritos
sushi
lobster rolls
Mediterranean menus / Gyros
Crepes with special toppings
Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwiches
Pizza
Ice cream and soft serve
Shaved Ice / Italian Ice
Indian food
hawaiian food
chicken wings
In the US, food trucks are a $1.2 billion industry. Despite obvious challenges, such as a lack of hot running water, strict regulations, licensing, and health laws, food trucks fill an important role in our society, providing a vital service to thousands of workers everywhere. While dumped cars may just be nostalgia, the concept lives on. Food trucks. When you just can’t wait to eat.