The Five Best Food Trucks in St. Louis

As St. Louis Magazine rather brilliantly put it, "the food-truck presence in St. Louis has blown up like metal in a microwave." There's now a guild of trucks, aptly called the St. Louis Food Truck Association, as well as special events including Feast in the Park, a summertime series where food trucks and musicians feed and entertain the masses at various parks throughout the county. While serving everything from traditional tacos, burritos and sandwiches to vegan specialties and Filipino favorites, the city's best trucks have mastered the basics: fresh ingredients and inventive preparation. Scout one out for a satisfying street meal that won't break the bank and discover why The ‘Lou's food truck scene continues to grow in popularity.

Wa-wa-wow at Cha Cha Chow

In addition to boasting one of the best names in town, this buzzed-about new truck serves signature tacos packed with enough flavor to keep even the pickiest taco snobs happy. Try the moist beef short rib taco wrapped in a warm flour tortilla, or order up the curried sweet potato taco accented with spicy salsa verde. If a taco doesn’t sound like it will hit the spot, consider the satisfying "Cuban Crime of Passion" sandwich with pulled pork and tangy mustard on a toasted roll. Whatever you select, make sure to drink it down with a seasonal Mexican iced coffee sweetened with vanilla, milk, cream and brown sugar.

Guerrilla Street Food is taking this town by storm

Filipino food is not typically found in the Midwest, but makes a welcome appearance at this food truck where long lines are a near constant. Fresh takes on traditional dishes include an excellent chicken adobo with tender meat, garlic-spiced sauce and peppercorn kick, as well as lumpia – a dish similar to a spring roll featuring cabbage, carrots, green beans and crushed nuts wrapped up in a thin pancake and served with sweet sauce for dipping. Even the favored drink here, pineapple soda, is authentic. The truck is so popular, it’s currently campaigning for a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Lulu’s Local Eatery rolls out the tradition of organic farming

Committed to a sustainable lifestyle? Then you’ll love this vegan food truck where the cuisine is organic, locally sourced and all-natural, and the packaging is 100% biodegradable and compostable. Operated by a husband and wife pair with a background in organic farming, it offers a changing menu that spotlights fresh veggies artfully prepared, such as a chipotle black bean burrito with sweet potato and kale, and whole wheat-battered cauliflower bites. Naturally, gluten-free options are also available upon request.

Seoul Taco has soul

At this popular spot, St. Louis offers up one of the hottest trends in food trucks: unconventional tacos made with ingredients from far beyond the reaches of Mexico. The Korean-style tacos here come loaded with caramelized meat, green onion, soy-based Seoul sauce and crushed sesame seeds, all wrapped in a traditional corn tortilla and topped with salad. A Korean burrito with kimchi fried rice is equally daring and delicious. Or go traditional with a gogi bowl, featuring white rice and veggies topped with a fried egg.

Spicy and sizzlin’ at Hot Aztec

Authentic family recipes are the focus at this food truck fave where Mexican ingredients, including made-to-order guacamole and cotija cheese, appear in innovative dishes from south of the border. A must-try are the pibil tacos, stuffed with pork shoulder wrapped in banana leaves and slow roasted in fresh orange juice. Looking to indulge? Order up the Oaxacan-style hot dogs wrapped in bacon and topped with cheese and spicy sauce. This truck is easy to track down thanks to its bright pink exterior – not to mention its frequently large crowds of hungry patrons.