25 Best Taco Trucks in the U.S.
Ever since the fancy food truck trend splashed onto the scene a few years ago, Americans have been all about food trucks.
But the originals were dedicated to tacos. These trucks were (and still are) a vital fabric of working-class America. Usually helmed by Mexican immigrants, the original taco trucks would dole out tasty, fast eats at very low prices. The landscape has changed quite a bit since then, but one thing remains the same: Whether high-brow or down-and-dirty, taco trucks are here to stay.
There are quite literally hundreds of taco trucks that drive the streets of America. So which ones are the best? We used staff opinion while also combing through Yelp and local reviews to rank the 25 best taco trucks in the U.S. — from absolutely delicious to the ones you would literally travel across the country for.
25. Aztec Dave’s
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Best Menu Item: Burrito Gordo
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: Aztec Dave’s
This family-run Mexican food truck opened in 2015 and has grown to be a Chicago staple, known for a secret meat marinade that makes everything pop. The three meat options are steak, chicken and al pastor pork.
You must try their signature sauces, which include Pineapple Devil, Avocado Heaven and Mexican Green Tomatillo.
24. The Traveling Kitchen
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Best Menu Item: Korean Bulgogi Beef Taco
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: The Traveling Kitchen
This roving taco truck is beloved by Louisville locals. The menu fuses together Asian and Mexican flavors and rolls them up nicely on soft, fluffy tortillas. Reviewers are all in unison about the Korean bulgogi beef tacos, while the Tempura Fish Tacos are a close second.
Don't forget the side of dumplings — another Traveling Kitchen must! A weekly lineup is always posted to its social media about where the truck will be on what day.
23. El Chilango Taqueria
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Best Menu Item: Shrimp Tacos
Follow Them: On Facebook
What to Expect: El Chilango Taqueria
Roaming the streets of Jersey City, this family-run taco truck has been an institution since 2012. Their menu is pure Mexican street food, from tacos and quesadillas to burritos, sopes, chilaquiles, tortas and more.
They even have a vegetarian menu or full-fledged platters that come with rice and beans.
22. El Rodeo
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Best Menu Item: Carne Asada Tacos
Follow Them: On Facebook
What to Expect: El Rodeo
This no-frills taco truck serves up exactly what you're looking for when it comes to delicious street tacos, but you can also choose from burritos, enchiladas and fajitas.
In addition to the carne asada tacos, you should absolutely try the carnitas tacos. You can't go wrong with either.
21. El Green-Go’s
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Best Menu Item: Street Tacos
Follow Them: Online
What to Expect: El Green-Go’s
Locally sourced and healthy-focused, El Green-Go's is all about serving amazingly fresh Alaskan ingredients with a Mexican twist. The chef, Tyler Howie, hails from North Carolina, so you know all his smoked proteins are truly delish.
But he also serves food for the vegan and veg crowd, like tofu tacos and nachos. And in a nod to his Alaska address, he also peppers the menu with locally caught fish and game.
20. B’s Tacos
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Best Menu Item: California Burrito
Follow Them: On Facebook
What to Expect: B’s Tacos
Founded in 2013, B's Tacos brings Tex-Mex to New England from its very popular food truck. In fact, the truck was so popular that the owners recently opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurant.
B's prides itself on customizing all orders and using organic veggies from a local farmer. The family-run business is especially known for its tacos and burritos as well as its vegetarian and gluten-free options.
19. Ixtapa Mexican Tacos
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Best Menu Item: Carne Asada Tacos
Follow Them: On Facebook
What to Expect: Ixtapa Mexican Tacos
Perched on Long Wharf, this New Haven standby is known for its insanely long menu (and lines to match — the food is that good).
The menu features the usual tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tostadas, tortes and nachos, but other gems include enchiladas verdes and huevos con chorizo.
13. Chela’s Tacos
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Best Menu Item: Cochinita Pibil
Follow Them: Online
What to Expect: Chela’s Tacos
This is Tex Mex with a twist. Not only will you find traditional street tacos, but you'll also find innovative items like The Costra, a melted cheese dip filled with meat, tomatoes, onions, red and green salsa.
You can also try the asada fries, or opt for breakfast tacos, which are served all day.
18. Tacos Dos Hermanos
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Best Menu Item: Carnitas Tacos
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: Tacos Dos Hermanos
This cash-only taco truck is always busy — and for good reason. It's the best place to satisfy that taco craving when in Birmingham. Reviewers claim the tacos are so good that they rival any taco you'd find on the streets of Mexico City.
While the tacos are top-notch, the truck also offers overstuffed burritos, tortes, quesadillas and tostadas.
17. Taceaux Loceaux
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Best Menu Item: Messin With Texas
Follow Them: On Facebook
What to Expect: Taceaux Loceaux
Taceaux Loceaux made its on-screen debut with Anthony Bourdain in “The Layover” back in 2013. But this beloved taco truck has been a fixture in the community for quite some time. The creative menu items include everything from Korean-style chicken to BBQ pork, cauliflower and even meatless chorizo.
Everything is worth a try, but most diners can agree that the Messin' With Texas is supreme. It includes slow-roasted brisket and shredded cabbage with crema, salsa picante, cilantro and radish on a warm tortilla.
16. Yeyo’s
Location: Bentonville, Arkansas
Best Menu Item: Street Tacos
Follow Them: Online
What to Expect: Yeyo’s
The family-run Yeyo's started with Don Yeyo himself. Today, his sons have carried on the tradition of slinging excellent Mexican food, not only from the iconic truck but also from a restaurant and mezcaleria.
The taco truck is beloved in Bentonville for its classics like the street tacos, but it also is known for its burritos, nachos, and fresh chips and dips.
15. Rollin Fatties
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Best Menu Item: Chicken Fattie
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: Rollin Fatties
Technically a burrito truck (but they have killer tacos, too), Rollin Fatties is a New Orleans icon. The burritos are plump (as the name suggests), filled with tender meat, pickled cabbage, basmati rice and heaped with silky guacamole.
The Chicken Fattie is the local go-to, but the fish tacos are also killer. It offers vegan and vegetarian options as well, such as the Tofu Fattie or the Jamaican Jerk Tofu Tacos.
14. Tacos Don Memo
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Best Menu Item: Al Pastor Burrito
Follow Them: On Facebook
What to Expect: Tacos Don Memo
One of UPenn's favorite haunts, Tacos Don Memo serves up fresh, cheap Mexican food that will fill your belly but won't break the bank (perfect for college kids!). And the flavors are mature enough to jive with adults of any age.
The line snakes for the al pastor burritos, which are stuffed with pork, rice, beans, avocado, onions and more. But the tacos are equally succulent and start at $2.50 each. Simply prepared with onions and cilantro, they hit the spot every time.
12. Cucina Zapata
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Best Menu Item: Cap’n Crunch Tilapia Platter
Follow Them: On Facebook
What to Expect: Cucina Zapata
The Asian/Mexican fusion trend is showing no signs of slowing down, and Cucina Zapata in Philadelphia is one of the best examples of these Asian-style tacos. The Satay Tacos are absolutely decadent, but the real showstopper here is the Cap N' Crunch Tilapia platter (which also comes in burrito form).
The fresh tilapia is doused in sriracha and mayo, served with cabbage and lettuce.
11. Birria-Landia
Location: New York, New York
Best Menu Item: Birria Tacos
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: Birria-Landia
This Tijuana-style taco truck is all the rage in New York's Jackson Heights neighborhood in Queens. In fact, the truck was so popular that it opened a second location in Brooklyn.
The slow-stewed beef is incorporated into every menu item, but the tacos are by far the fan-favorite. You can also try the birria in a cup if you want to get down to the real meat of it, if you will.
10. Yumbii
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Best Menu Item: Korean BBQ Style Chicken Tacos
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: Yumbii
Atlanta's first gourmet Korean taco truck (now with a storefront location) is still one of the most popular lunch spots in town. Chef Carson Young, who started the food truck with his mom, churns out creative combos like stir-fried tofu burritos and pulled pork quesadillas.
Regulars are also big fans of the Yumbii Sliders, which come with pulled pork, mayo, cheese and cucumber kimchi. Be sure to tack on an order of sesame fries, too.
9. Kiko’s Place
Location: San Diego, California
Best Menu Item: Fish Tacos
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: Kiko’s Place
In business since the early 1980s, Kiko's is a family-run business known for its succulent seafood. The fish tacos are often heralded as the best fish tacos in San Diego.
And that’s perhaps the highest level of praise, seeing as most locals from San Diego grew up crossing the border into Mexico for the real deal.
8. Seoul Taco
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Best Menu Item: Steak anything
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: Seoul Taco
Korean-Mexican tacos is absolutely a trend (thank you, Roy Choi), and Seoul Taco is yet another fabulous provider. The food truck has several restaurant locations in the Midwest, including three in Illinois.
It serves a variety of tacos, bowls, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and fries. Devotees will tell you anything is great, but whatever you get, order it with the bulgogi steak.
7. Leo’s Taco Truck
Location: Los Angeles, California
Best Menu Item: Tacos Al Pastor
Follow Them: Online
What to Expect: Leo’s Taco Truck
In a city famous for taco trucks, Leo's is relatively new but has made a name and a reputation for itself. The taco truck opened in 2010 on Brea Boulevard and Venice Boulevard in Western Los Angeles.
Its specialty has always been the al pastor tacos, and the fans seem to agree. Other popular menu items include the asada fries and quesadillas.
6. Peached Tortilla
Location: Austin, Texas
Best Menu Item: Banh Mi Taco
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: Peached Tortilla
The Peached Tortilla truck is a welcome sight throughout the streets of Austin. It roams about during lunch, special events and festivals. The South-Asian fusion truck first revved its engine back in 2010 and since then has grown to become a catering company and restaurant.
Founder Eric Silverstein traded in his law degree for a spatula. Now, he brings the flavors of Southeast Asia, places them atop a tortilla and serves them to the lucky people of Austin.
5. Tacos Tierra Caliente
Location: Houston, Texas
Best Menu Item: Al Pastor Tacos
Follow Them: On Facebook
What to Expect: Tacos Tierra Caliente
One of Houston's most popular spots for tacos, Tacos Tierra Caliente has made quite a name for itself over its al pastor tacos. And its beef fajita tacos. And its barbacoa tacos. To put it simply, they make great tacos.
But they also make excellent quesadillas and tortas. In May 2020, the truck opened its first restaurant, called Taco Stop, which has been a big hit in Houston.
4. Mariscos Jalisco
Location: Los Angeles, California
Best Menu Item: Shrimp Tacos
Follow Them: On Facebook
What to Expect: Mariscos Jalisco
Open since 2002, Mariscos Jalisco has been bringing the flavors of Pacific Mexico to Los Angeles. The taco truck’s claim to fame is the fried shrimp tacos, which are spoken about in hushed, reverent tones, all throughout the city.
Owner Raul Ortega originates from San Juan de los Lagos in Jalisco, so you better believe you're about to have the real deal. You may also want to try the shrimp quesadillas or shrimp ceviche.
3. Ricky’s Fish Tacos
Location: Los Angeles, California
Best Menu Item: Fish Tacos
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: Ricky’s Fish Tacos
Californians are serious about their fish tacos, so you know when a fish taco truck gets rave reviews it's the real deal. Get a taste of Ensenada-style fish tacos right from Ricky Pina, himself.
Piled high with fresh pico de gallo, these refreshing morsels will take you directly south of the border in one bite.
2. Taqueria Sinaloa
Location: Oakland, California
Best Menu Item: Tacos al Pastor
Follow Them: On Facebook
What to Expect: Taqueria Sinaloa
The other City by the Bay has quite the taco truck seen up and done International Boulevard in the city's Fruitvale neighborhood.
This spot serves up simple street tacos with delicious flavors — so good that this truck's known as one of local NBA star Steph Curry's favorites.
1. Kogi BBQ Taco Truck
Location: Los Angeles, California
Best Menu Item: Short Rib Tacos
Follow Them: On Instagram
What to Expect: Kogi BBQ Taco Truck
Meet the food truck that reshaped the way we forever see food trucks. Roy Choi's Kogi BBQ Taco Truck was the game-changer that made the food truck scene a trend. He brought together Korean flavors and slapped them together with Mexican carbs, and the rest of the world melted.
Today, it's so much more than a taco truck — it's a Los Angeles institution with locations all over the city and beyond.
Related: Best Tacos in America