There’s no argument that Texas has some of the best restaurants in the country and, some may argue, the world. Here, you don’t need to go to a sit-down eatery to find good food – you can get amazing, grab-and-go food right from a truck! We’ve rounded up some of our favorites that serve everything from burgers to barbecue and even to-die-for kimchi fries. Here, 5 of our go-to local food trucks.
Bernie’s Burger Bus: Houston
Photo Credit: Mobile Cusine
This food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar in Houston got its start in a school bus, but it follows no rules when it comes to its burgers. You’ll need a bib and your appetite for the double-decker Detention Burger, a hulking double-patty burger with “tipsy” onions that are sandwiched between TWO crispy bacon grilled cheese sandwiches. That sounds like an A+ meal to us.
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ: Austin
Photo Credit: The City Lane
Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ smokes some of Texas’ finest barbecue – just ask Texas Monthly, the New York Times, Forbes and Bon Appétit Magazine! Miguel Vidal started Valentina’s in 2013 in the Southside of San Antonio. His mission? To preserve the kind of ‘cue he grew up eating. With the help of his Mom’s homemade tortillas and Dad’s borrowed smoker, his brisket and ribs have won many awards and topped multiple “Best Barbecue” lists.
Tacos Tierra Caliente: Houston
Photo: Houston Chronicle
One of Houston’s most iconic food trucks, Tacos Tierra Caliente stuffs some of the city’s best pastor into pillowy soft flour tortillas. Located by West Alabama Ice House, you can’t beat the $1 breakfast tacos or the variety of fillings they offer like barbacoa and chicharron. Plus, it doesn’t stop with tacos – any of their meats can be stuffed into quesadillas, tortas and gorditas, too! This year, they’ve expanded to a second location called Taco Stop inside a Heights Exxon station. There, you can grab your go-to order, plus some exclusive menu items like grilled shrimp and fish tacos.
Chi’Lantro: Austin
Photo Credit: Philip Adcock
Almost 10 years ago, owner Jae Kim started his food truck, Chi’Lantro, at 2nd and Congress in Austin, all by himself. The name was a symbol of the fusion he was creating: referencing kimchi (fermented Korean cabbage) and cilantro. His famous Kimchi Fries made the Texas-Korean BBQ truck a favorite amongst late-night crowds.
Cheesy Janes: San Antonio
Photo Credit: San Antonio Express-News
Bite into a giant slice of nostalgia at Cheesy Jane’s, a 1950s-style burger joint grilling up monstrous half-pound burgers. You won’t be able to miss this bright yellow truck cruising around town slinging burgers for the hungry folks around San Antonio. But you won’t find it on the streets on Thursday nights. Jon Lindskog, the owner of Cheesy Jane’s, visits the Warrior Family Support Center at Fort Sam Houston and makes milkshakes for military members and their families.
Betty Delaney says
Check out Beaux Seafood in Manchaca.
Troy Celestine says
Troy Celestine
I look at good taste every Saturday!! Tanji you rock! My wife and I truly love you & your show and all of the places you take us on this thing call TV 🙂 I had know clue that there so many restaurant’s burger Joint-taco Tex-Mex an seafood business in these remote locations. I have my own business, O what the name of my business you ask 🙂 JT’s Boiled Crawfish & Seafood, I should be up running around Dec, My beautiful wife when back to school for her RN license last year so I put the truck on hold until she was done ( She Pass!! 🙂 So now I am BACK!!! Doing what I love COOKING!!! Tanji I hope you can stop by and visit with me and taste some true Cajun Cooking.
Hope to see you soon Tanji.
Tanji says
Hi Troy –
where is your restaurant…and congrats on your wife’s RN license!!! 🙂