The Best Food Trucks and Carts In Seattle

Listen, Seattle may still be learning about the wonders of AC and pro hockey, but we’re not newbies when it comes to food trucks. There are bright yellow trailers equipped with sizzling woks, hot dog grills stationed on busy Capitol Hill corners, and taco trucks that have become bigger destinations than the Gum Wall . For convenience sake, this guide focuses on trucks that operate in one spot multiple times per week and rarely (if ever) move—just so that there’s no heartbreak when you go for some carnitas and see an empty space.

THE SPOTS

Xochi Tacos

This Mexican roadside trailer should not just become your savior for a post-Cougar Mountain victory bite or a picnic table pitstop after losing steam 35 minutes into driving out east. Xochi is worth a trip any time—either for a tortilla piled with slow-cooked meat or vegetarian fillings that utilize fresh produce. Prioritize the sour cream-y charred poblano strips or braised cochinita pibil zapped with orange, cinnamon, and pickled onion.

Hawk Dogs

This late-night cart usually located near Pike and Broadway serves the Seattle dog upon which all others shall be judged. It’s perfectly salty and smoky, grilled with the meat split down the middle so that flames touch every inch. The translucent onions offer a pleasantly sweet jamminess that complements the smear of Philly cream cheese. There’s nothing fancy here, but when you’re five cocktails deep into a Capitol Hill bar crawl, it feels like you’re tasting the sausage of the gods. One that’s only $8.

Bangkok Food Truck

You can find Lake City’s best Thai curries and stir fry at this cash-only truck parked near the Shell station on Lake City Way. There’s an ideal creamy thickness to the panang curry with plenty of brightness from lime leaf. And everything from the wok— like pad see ew or cashew chicken—has an excellent char. Expect to wait a little bit, but it's highly worth it—even if it’s just for a Thai iced tea and excellent fried wontons.

Tacos La Cuadra

The line forming around a tent in the Rainier Beach Auto Zone parking lot is not because there's a blowout sale on power steering fluid. Everyone is here for La Cuadra—specifically the paper-thin slices of chile-tinged al pastor coming off the spinning trompo. Order it in all forms available, like a huge burrito or cheesy mulita. But it’s mandatory to get a taco or two. Each one is a picturesque blend of tender fatty slices, extra crispy salty bits, and a garnish of thinly-sliced pineapple. And take advantage of the robust condiments bar that includes lots of smoky salsas.

Hinoki

Equipped with a fryer, wood-fired oven, and a Traeger, this Japanese BBQ truck next to Saint Bread could theoretically prepare as many dishes as there are types of Pokémon. Even boring old chicken gets to have multiple evolutions—sometimes it's fried and served as crackly karaage that shatters when you bite into it. Sometimes it's smoked and basted in yum-yum sauce. Part of the fun is that you'll never know what meats and sides you're going to get, but it all consistently hits. And while their secret patio may just be a patch of gravel, the food, drinks, and proximity to water make it an ideal summer destination.

Taqueria La Fondita #2

Have you ever walked by a Starbucks and then immediately walked by another Starbucks? This scenario plays out at Taqueria La Fondita and Taqueria La Fondita #2 , duplicate taco trucks within a two-block radius—only they make horchata and great tacos instead of burnt coffee and cake pops. The adobada is tender, with fatty pieces melting into crispy pork bites, and the carne asada has a smoky crust that seals in the meat’s flavor like a padlock. Go to either location before a walk through White Center Heights Park—both have a couple of picnic tables set up in case you want to relax for a bit.

Just Like Home Jamaican Kitchen

The Speed-E Mart along Renton Ave South has a green-and-yellow-painted food cart in the parking lot serving terrific Jamaican food. The menu varies daily (check out their Instagram for updates). But it doesn't matter if you end up with a spicy jerk chicken plate, a handful of beef patties, or oxtails smothered in a rich brown gravy—the food here is worth stacking to-go containers in your car and risking curry spills.

Smash That Burger Co.

The Oklahoma-style smashburgers coming from this set of wheels parked five times a week at Rooftop Brewing possess serious pleasure-to-have-in-class energy. Each perfectly seasoned patty has a snappy crust that drapes over the bun, singed onions, melted cheese that gets gooey without making a total mess. There's also a tangy spice-flecked special sauce and chunky pickle slices to cut through the heft. We recommend going with the classic, but if you enjoy hot peppers, the jalapeño smash has great sweet heat. You can easily order using a QR code inside the brewery.

La Chingona Taqueria

Some of Bellevue's best tacos are hidden in the parking lot of a probation office. La Chingona Taqueria has a menu of fantastic food with immaculate atmosphere to match. The covered patio is decorated with papel picado and plenty of picnic tables to hang out with friends while double-fisting tacos and beer. Their baja fish is the best choice, complete with a sweet and airy breading, tons of shredded cabbage, and a chipotle crema for the books. And the whole inviting setup is about the only time we want to spend a lot of time in a parking lot (or probation office for that matter).

The Roll Pod

While many food trucks come and go near SLU, this one’s a regular for a reason. The vendor serving Indian street food always has a long line forming with people waiting for their daily dose of kathi rolls and loaded rice bowls. Our favorites are the herby mushroom masala stuffed kathi rolls and spicy chicken masala bowl with lots of crunchy slaw, comforting tomato gravy, and a generous drizzle of green chutney—astronomically better than that old smushed granola bar at your desk.

El Chapulin Oaxaqueno

This taco truck (with a second location in West Seattle ) is camped in the old parking lot of a now-closed dry cleaners on Capitol Hill . And while you can no longer get your pants starched or unfortunate bridesmaid dress tailored here, you can get something much better—great takeout. Like a burrito the size of a football in a bed of rich red chile sauce and tasty vegetable mulitas that involves chopped brussel sprouts, carrots, and red onion roasted just a hair past the point of tender without being limp.

Momo King

Parked directly next to El Chapulin is Momo King—making it a great two-for-one experience. This polished black truck makes delicious and plump momos , whether they’re deep-fried until golden brown with an extra crackly shell or steamed and hidden under a thick butter chicken gravy. Hang out on the small shared patio here with people that hopefully had the same genius idea to take advantage of both trucks in one sitting.