The ~fancy~ food truck trend started a few years ago, when suddenly everyone wanted to eat standing up and follow food trucks on social media to find out where to get their next meal on wheels. The food truck industry has expanded greatly all over the country, and especially in Los Angeles. One of the best spots to explore the endless food possibilities in the food truck world is First Friday’s on Abbot Kinney, located in Venice, CA. Abbot Kinney is known for its mile long block of the trendiest restaurant, hair salons, clothing stores, and of course, the laid-back, Venice beach vibes. It is truly my favorite street in all of Los Angeles, and on the first Friday of every month, it is a food truck extravaganza. People crowd around the entirety of Abbot Kinney, strolling the block to see which food truck they want to indulge in. Listed below are 8 trendy food trucks that are not only at First Friday’s, but also traveling all over the LA area.
Kogi Truck
One of the most famous LA food trucks is the Kogi Truck. This is an Los Angeles food truck staple, especially on First Fridays. It is a taco truck known for its spin on Korean-Mexican cuisine. The flavors fuse together beautifully. Their most popular dishes are the Korean Short Rib Tacos, the Blackjack Quesadilla with kimchi, and the Pacman Burger. Any dish you choose will fill your mouth with Korean and Mexican spices with juicy meats that are grilled to perfection. Plus, they have meat substitutes such as tofu, so this truck can cater to a variety of food lovers. There is always a massive line wherever this truck is, so if you want to indulge in a Calamari Taco, make sure you follow their schedule.
Grilled Cheese Truck
The Grilled Cheese Truck is also another food truck hit in Los Angeles. This yellow truck serves up our favorite comfort food in a variety of forms. People flock to this truck because you can personalize you own grilled cheese and the chefs will help you create your own special, cheesy, American classic. Of course, you can get the trusty Plain and Simple melt, or perhaps the Brie melt with creamy Brie, bacon, onions, and almonds for those with a more refined grilled cheese palette. But, any major cheese lover will hone in on the Cheesy Mac Melt, stuffed with mac and cheese, or the Not So Classic Melt filled with sharp cheddar, ham, spinach, and crushed tater tots. And meat-and-cheese lovers can have a ball by choosing the Buffalo Chicken Melt or the #FullyLoaded Cheesy Mac and Rib with juicy smoked BBQ pork. Finish off your savory, cheesy delight with a sweet treat, because the Grilled Cheese Truck is serving Dessert Melts, such as the S’mores Melt and the PB Banana Melt. They have something for everyone, and who can resist a grilled cheese sandwich?!
Coolhaus
Ice cream lovers of LA will follow the Coolhaus truck wherever it goes, or have it as catering at their event. This ice cream truck is known for its wacky flavors and ice cream sandwiches such as Brown Butter Candied Bacon, Buttered French Toast, Candy Cap Mushroom, Fried Chicken and Waffles, and many, many more. Each ice cream flavor has its own personality and will make you fall in love. Make your favorite flavors into an ice cream sandwich with cookie choices such as Coffee Cake Whoopie Pie or a Deep Dish cookie. Luckily, Coolhaus has some of their ice flavors/sandwiches in supermarkets, but getting it from the truck is the real deal and makes it taste so. much. better. Or, hit up the storefront located in downtown Culver City.
The Pudding Truck
Yet another Los Angeles food truck delight for sweet tooth lovers is The Pudding Truck. One of my favorite desserts to get on First Fridays, this truck is bringing old-school American pudding to the table. The winner is definitely the Southern Style Banana Pudding, with homemade brown-butter vanilla wafers (think Nilla wafer cookies but better) with bananas and fresh whipped cream. It is to-die-for. They have puddings for everyone, such as classic Chocolate, Butterscotch, Vanilla, Red Velvet, and seasonal flavors such as Key Lime Coconut and Brown Sugar Banana. Almost all of their flavors are naturally gluten free, and they have vegan flavors so everyone can truly enjoy this masterpiece.
Cousins Maine Lobster
Who wouldn’t want a classic Maine Lobster roll on a hot, July afternoon in Los Angeles? Cousins Maine Lobster Truck brings Maine’s seafood traditions to LA with fresh ingredients. People will drool over the menu, consisting of lobster everything. Choose from simple yet delicious Maine or Connecticut style rolls or a bowl of clam chowder and lobster bisque. Some of their specialities include Lobster Grilled Cheese, Lobster Tots (yum), Lobster Tacos, and Lobster Quesadilla. This lobster food truck brings East Coast cuisine to us lucky Los Angelenos, and it is perfect for summer.
Prince of Venice
The Prince of Venice Food Truck is known for its regulars on the streets of Los Angeles. This truck utilizes the hipster/trendy culture of food trucks along with fresh-made Italian dishes. Anyone craving Italian (I crave it 24/7) can follow this truck to fulfill their appetites by choosing from authentic Italian pastas and salads. Their menu consists of Orecchiette al Pomodoro Fresco & Basilico, Penne alla Primavera, Maccheroni alla Carbonara, Bucatinii all’ Amatriciana, and many many other pastas to choose from. Perfectly al dente, this will satisfy any carb lover. Plus, you can buy fresh pasta and pasta sauce at the truck too!
Made in Brooklyn
When in doubt of which food truck to choose from, trust your gut and get some pizza. It can never fail you. Made In Brooklyn food truck brings true New York pizza to Los Angeles. Choose a pizza by the slice or order ahead for a full pizza pie. Their menu has pizzas that are making my stomach growl just by reading them, from classic Cheese, Pepperoni, Mushroom to Housemade Sausage, Veggie, Margherita, and Garlic Chicken with white sauce. You can never go wrong with pizza, especially when it is this good.
Ridges Churro Bar
Let’s end on a sweet note. Ridges Churro Bar is definitely not for the faint of heart when it comes to dessert. Perfect for that insta-worthy foodporn pic, this is the food truck to follow in Los Angeles. This truck has transformed cinnamon churros and is known for their “Churro Fairy Dust”. Top off vanilla soft serve ice cream with churro flavors such as Salted Caramel, Fruity Pebbles, Cinnamon Sugar, Nutella Nut, and Strawberry Cheesecake. A dream for anyone who wants the balance of cold ice cream and a warm, fresh churro. The line is always worth the wait, and the insta post.
They’re Everywhere
These are only 8 of the best food trucks in Los Angeles, but there are dozens and dozens more. Locals and tourists should take advantage of not only the food in restaurants, but the food on wheels too. There is something for everyone, and you can food trucks everywhere in LA. Make sure to check out these food trucks on their socials, to see where you can find them next.