The Top Food Trucks in Philadelphia

Bangin’ Curry Franklin/Facebook

With spring right around the corner, we’ve been daydreaming of all the amazing meals we’ll eat outside this year — sitting on beer garden benches and in grassy parks, or just standing right there on the sidewalk. And as one of the most food truck-friendly cities in America, Philly has its pick of some of the best meals on wheels out there.

To get you primed for food truck season, here are some of our favorite mobile food outfits that have opened in the last year, offering portable eats from Japanese curry to banana whips — plus some of the longtime street-slingers we can’t get enough of.

Authentik Byrek/Facebook

Authentik Byrek
Try a flaky, phyllo-based pastry from this truck, typically set up near 34th and Market on the Drexel University campus. Authentik Byrek fill their pastries, beloved across the Mediterranean and the Balkans, with fillings like caponata, spinach and cheese, and even one filled with thinly-sliced steak, sharp cheddar, and onions.

Undrgrnd Donuts
The sweet treats made on this roving donut shop are hot and fresh, sure — but the toppings really set them apart. A fan favorite is The Homer, a vanilla-dunked donut striped with raw sugar and chocolate bacon chunks. Hire them for your private event or follow along on Instagram to catch them at festivals and outdoor events around the region.

Tacos Don Memo
For some of the best al pastor and carnitas you can buy outside, look for the shiny, tiny Don Memo cart, which sets up near 38th and Walnut during lunchtime on weekdays and at the Clark Park Farmers’ Market at 43rd and Chester on weekends. If it’s early, go with breakfast tacos; later, pick your slow-braised meat, which will be served with black beans, rice, crema, cheese, tomato, avocado, and a spicy sauce in your chosen format — griddled burrito, tostada, quesadilla, or torta.

Bangin’ Curry Franklin/Facebook

Bangin’ Curry Franklin
This weekends-only truck run by two Temple alums specializing in Japanese curry has grown from a tiny cart at 17th and Washington to a tricked-out vehicle emblazoned with its namesake since it opened in early 2017, but they still serve the same two delicious items: their no-heat bowls with rice, pickled veggies, curry sauce and panko-crusted pork or chicken, and fries topped with nori, salt, and sesame.

The Chilly Banana
This sweet food truck specializes in banana whips, a really tasty, custard-like dessert made from frozen bananas that just happens to be vegan. Follow them on Instagram to catch their whereabouts once warm weather is here  — they bring their plant-based creamy goodness (and toppings) all over the Philly region.

Foolish Waffles/Facebook

Foolish Waffles
The folks behind Foolish are experts in pairing their crisp, light liege waffles with unexpected flavors — think tofu banh mi or everything bagel spice and scallion cream cheese — and solid classics like Nutella and strawberries, or an entire standalone breakfast of bacon, eggs, cheese, and maple syrup. But their buttermilk fried chicken waffle with slaw and bourbon-pickled jalapenos will always be our favorite. Check out the calendar on their website to find out where they’re setting up.

Tony’s Farm Table
Tony Boloney’s pizzeria and sub shop in Atlantic City is known for its taco-topped pizza, but proprietor Mike Hauke got started slinging fresh mozz and flatbreads at farmers’ markets all along the shore. Get their sourdough pies at farmers’ markets in Margate, Brigantine, Ocean City, Ventnor, Longport, and Somers Point weekly from June through September.

D’Emilio’s Old World Ice Treats
Chris D’Emilio wears a straw boater and bowtie to hawk his handmade water ice — from a sidecar-mounted freezer on his motorcycle, of course. The casino dealer-turned-frozen treats maker travels to farmers’ markets, festivals, and around his Pennsport neighborhood most days in summertime — check him out on Instagram to get the schedule once the weather is warm.

Bright Yellow Creamery/Facebook

Bright Yellow Creamery
This adorable ice creamery makes scoops in flavors like Madagascar vanilla, sea salt honey, and ginger lemongrass using local grassfed dairy from Trickling Springs Creamery. Starting in spring, they’ll be at the Rittenhouse Square Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Saturday. Can’t wait that long? Pick up pints at Green Aisle Grocery or order online to get delivery to your home or office on Thursdays.

Pitruco Pizza
Owners Nate Winkler-Rhoads and Jonah Fliegelman made some of the best pizza in the city out of the Pitruco truck. Now, they’re behind Enjay’s Pizza inside Smokey Joe’s on the Penn campus and making pies at the new Franklin’s Table food court at 34th and Walnut — but the truck still roams all over the city.