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Once causing a frenzy across the country, enthusiasm for food trucks have fizzled, leaving many to close down shop while others have moved on to build successful brick and mortar locations. Thanks to new laws in place that favor food trucks, a new crops of mobile kitchens are opening, providing more options for those who prefer to chase down their restaurant of choice around town.
Photo credit: Akshaya Southern Express
Serving Indian and Halal fare since the late 90's, Akshaya Caterers expanded their reach last fall with the launch of their food truck. Homemade idlis (steamed rice cakes, a South Indian delicacy) and a variety of dosas are offered on the menu for under $5. The truck can be found from time to time at Houston Food Park or local Indian festivals held throughout the year.
Keep track of Akshaya Southern Express on Facebook.
Pulled Pork Sandwich [Photo credit: Black Garlic]
Technically the truck isn't in Houston, instead you can find this recently opened mobile kitchen outside the city limits in Tomball at 24914 State Highway 249. Cliff Evans fills a void sorely lacking in north of Houston: freshly prepared meals that are not only pleasing to the eye but to the tastebuds. Billed as a farm-to-table eatery where everything is made from scratch, the menu consists of standard food truck classic with a New American spin. Freshly ground wagyu and brisket patty is served on the truck's signature burger with thick slices of harvarti cheese and confit tomatoes, but its creations like the Mr. Orange (wagyu/brisket patty, grilled risotto, panchetta and mozzarella) that makes the trip Tomball worth it. Not to mention the grilled cheese doughnuts and killer ribs.
Keep up with Black Garlic's latest location on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
[Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore]
Located on the Aqua Car Wash lot at 1013 Montrose is where you'll spy this truck whipping up coffee beverages, teas and smoothies. Want a mocha frappe while waiting on your freshly washed car? Go ahead and order away. The menu offers a variety of frappes, iced coffee and teas, but hot teas, espressos and cider are perfect for the cooler weather ahead. When the sun is shining, the truck's shaved ice treats can hit the spot, but until then go for the soup of the day special.
Keep up with Lucky Star's latest location on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
[Photo credit: Mahalo Munchies]
Houston's first dedicated Hawaiian food truck has arrived in all its teriyaki marinated spam glory. Opened since November, the mobile kitchen serves Hawaiian-fusion fare minus the hulu girls (although they are available if you hire the truck for private events). The menu offers classic Polynesian dishes and spam musubi (once only available from two trucks, Phamily Bites and MuSuBi). Do yourself a favor and order the Huli-Huli Chicken (grilled marinated chicken with rice and macaroni salad) or the Lulu Platter that offers the chicken and a bit of everything on the menu.
Keep up with Mahalo Munchies's latest location on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
[Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore]
With 18 years of catering and working in Japanese restaurants under his belt, Chef Edgar Ramon is taking his show on the road literally. Ramon opened his own sushi kitchen on wheels last year, introducing many food truck neophytes to their first taste. While sushi rolls are the main attraction, the tempura stuffed jalapeno and milanesa are equally good.
Keep up with Savor the Bites' latest location on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Food Trucks to Keep an Eye Out For
- Aussie Pies - No shrimp on the barbie here. This mobile kitchen will offer a bevy of Australian meat pies. Follow the truck on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - Belly Up - Not much is known about the concept, but follow the truck on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for an opening announcement and more details.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - Boombox Taco - This truck is all about the bass and tacos of course. Follow them on Facebook for an opening announcement and more details.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - Casian King - A fusion of Vietnamese and Cajun cuisines, this truck is bound to have a few items that will have you stalking their truck on social media. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - Cousins Maine Lobster - You've probably remember this truck from ABC's Shark Tank, where cousins Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac wanted to start their own food truck franchise. Obviously they found success because they're well known in LA and soon in Houston. Houstonian Neil Werner and franchisee is opening the lobster roll truck this month. Competing with Maine-ly Sandwiches (and pricier), Houston's newest kitchen on wheels will have a more extensive menu with shrimp tacos, lobster quesadillas and more. Follow the truck on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information.
Opening date: January 24 - Crisp Doner Cafe - Döner kebaps - the ubiquitous German street food with Turkish origins - while not new to Houston (remember DNR Turkish Grill?), are making a big splash in the city as of late. Joining Austin-import VertsKebap and Midtown's Dögarz Döner in serving these spitted meats wrapped in flatbread, Crisp Doner Cafe. Follow the truck on Facebook and Twitter for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - Dasman - This Mediterranean food truck will offer cuisines from Turkey, Syria, and Greece. On the menu, chicken shawarma, kabobs, falafel and halal meats. Follow the truck on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - Falacos - There's only a handful of vegan food trucks in town and soon, there will be one more with organic and GMO free fare. Follow the truck on Facebook and Twitter for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Late 2015 - Houston StreatFood - Globally influenced offering will be served once the truck opens later this year. Follow the truck on Facebook for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - Mingo's Latin Kitchen - Not much is known about this upcoming truck yet, but according to its Facebook bio, food truck fanatics can look forward to Latin-inspired dishes. Follow the mobile kitchen on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - Mobile Mug - Although this truck made a brief debut during the Chevron Houston Marathon, the latest Clark-Cooper Concept offering (Ibiza, Coppa Osteria, Brasserie 19; Punk's Simple Southern Food) is making a few last minute touches before hitting the streets. Similar to Espresso Rescue and Cadillac Coffee, the coffee shop on wheel will serve caffeinated beverages using only Illy coffee and cinnamon rolls. Follow the truck on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for their official opening announcement.
Projected opening date: January - SauerKraut - Can't get enough sauerkraut? This is the truck for you. The mobile kitchen is rolling out soon slinging fermented cabbage-filled dishes along with other German fare. Follow the truck on Twitter for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - Smoosh - Selling only ice cream sandwiches, this truck will launch later in the year with homemade ice cream stuffed between freshly baked cookies. Want to know when it's hitting the streets? Follow the truck on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - The Cheezy Rider - Billed as a build-your-own grilled cheese food truck, customers will be able to choose their own bread like challah and sourdough, followed by choice of spreads, fruit, veggies and of course, cheese. Have a sweet tooth? The S'more (marshmallow fluff, graham cracker crumbs, mascarpone cheese sandwiched between French toast) may become your favorite. Soup served in bread bowls will also be on the menu. Follow the truck on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015 - The Outsliders - Follow the truck on Twitter for an opening announcement.
Projected opening date: Spring 2015
