Man, things have changed in the year or so since food trucks were last tackled here on Eater Nola— there are a dozen new trucks on the radar now. The proliferation, which began when the city relaxed its food truck restrictions, is due mostly to people wanting to eat food while drinking booze.
New Orleans' breweries (which have also been popping up all over the place)— Urban South, Second Line Brewing, 40 Arpent, and Courtyard Brewery— have seen the upside of having food on hand while people sample delicious beer. Food trucks are perfect to fill that need. Mobile and self-contained, several make a circuit throughout the breweries. Even Abita on the northshore has food trucks over the weekend and for large brewery events.
In addition, this provides food options for people hanging at their favorite bar such as The Kingpin, 45 Tchoup, Rendezvous, Chickie Wah Wah's, and the newly opened Tchoup Yard. This makes customers happy because who doesn't love burgers or tacos or wings when you've been drinking? It also makes bar owners and bartenders happy because having food right outside the door means that customers don't need to go elsewhere for sustenance, taking their money and boozing with them.
Even the Avenue Pub, which has an in-house kitchen, uses Nathanial Zimet's Purple Truck for special events.
Food trucks are also found in the Tulane University area and it won't be long till you can't throw a rock without hitting one in the new LSU Health corridor. My House NOLA is still organizing food truck roundups, and has recently partnered with Urban South as a venue.
NOTE: check social media for confirmation of truck location. And a couple trucks are taking some time off in August. But they'll be back, so don't be sad.
One of the trucks that started the food truck revolution in New Orleans, Taceaux Loceaux's authentic street tacos (and avacado fries, WHAT) can be found all over town at Courtyard Brewery, Dos Jefes Bar, The Kingpin, 45 Tchoup, and for lunch in various locations. With vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options (all delicious). Follow on Twitter: @TLNola
Saigon Slim's serves fresh, flavorful, and playful takes on Vietnamese standards resulting in dishes like Bananas Foster spring rolls, Kimchi fries, and Miso Honey banh mi. Frequently at The Kingpin, Courtyard Brewery and Second Line Brewing. Follow on Twitter: @SaigonSlims
Arepas, tacos, and the intiguingly named "burri-tacos" are stuffed full of meat, beans, cheese, and general deliciousness at La Cocinita's bright red food trucks. They can be found for Ochsner Medical Center, LSU Health Sciences Center, Children's Hospital updown and the Energy Center downtown for lunch, as well as feeding hungry drinkers at Rendezvous and Chickie Wah Wah. Keep tabs on them by following on Twitter: @LaCocinita
This food truck is unusual in that it actually has a wood burning oven in it. (usually it's a flattop grill and a fryolator, kids.) This makes for amazing, fresh, tender but sturdy crusted pizza with high quality and creative toppings like bacon jam, arugula, pears, and goat cheese. You can find them regularly at the French Truck Cafe on Dryades and Kingpin. Follow on Twtter: @StClairPizza
This bright yellow truck can be found at Tulane Lakeside, LSU Health Sciences Center, the Rusty Nail, and Children's Hospital serving, well, burgers and fries. But what burgers - with specials like the Burgerlaya or Pho Burger, burgers will never be the same again. The unadorned product is tasty as well, for the less adventurous types. Follow on Twitter: @burgersyaheard
Once a brick and mortar shop, the Diva Dawg folks have taken their show on the road. Hot dogs, of course, fries, and specials like shrimp etoufee sliders, kicked up nachos and quesadillas can be found all over town where the hungry masses await, like at Federal City, Eiffel Society, and the LSU Medical Center. But they range far and wide, so check 'em on Twitter: @DivaDawgTruck
Find these custom prepared wings (with a variety of sauces like voodoo or siriacha buffalo) at Tipitina's, Courtyard Brewery, or on Tulane at Lasalle or Loyola. In addition to wings, you can find fries and specials like crawfish and andouille pasta. Follow on Twitter: @wings_taylor
You can find this vegetarian/vegan friendly food truck serving its fattie burritos, tacos, rice bowls, and nachos every afternoon at 1430 Tulane Avenue for lunch. Fill up the vessel of choice with erk seasoned tofu, caramelized tilapia, chipotle cream, Monterey Jack cheese, and other ingredients and sauces as the chef sees fit. Follow on Twitter: @RollinfattiesNO
Fried chicken lovers, welcome to heaven on wheels. Get fried chicken sliders, fried chicken wings, french fries and more at Second Line, Tulane Medical Center, The Kingpin, and 45 Tchoup. Twitter and Instagram: @BonafriedTruck
Nathanial Zimet's Purple Truck has been seen serving food to pair with specific beers at the Avenue Pub on select Thursdays. Keep an eye on Boucherie's and Avenue Pub's social media to keep track of when it'll be there and what it'll be serving.
This truck from the minds behind Casa Borrega has traditional Cuban dishes like the cubano sandwich, fried yucca, and empanadas. It's just getting started this summer, but can be found at Courtyard on Fridays in August and downtown for lunch. Follow them on Twitter or Instagram: @EatLaCubana
This brick and mortar butcher has branched out into the food truck world. Currently at The Kingpin on Wednesdays, the menu includes such treats as pulled pork tacos, bacon jam and cornbread sliders with braised mustard greens, and boudin balls.
This is where to find home style New Orleans cooking with jambalaya, red beans, gumbo, poboys, and bread pudding. They usually turn up at festivals and events, so keep an eye out.
Another contender in the brick and mortar goes mobile trend. Get your dog on at Urban South, Second Line, Tulane Medical Center, LSU Health Center, Grit's, the Rusty Nail, as well as several locations on the West Bank.
District Donuts' food truck goes to downtown on Poydras, out to Lakeview, and to the Rusty Nail with their trademark donuts and sliders, and 100% of their profits go to the New Orleans based non-profit serving foster children, www.crossroadsnola.org. Instagram: @streatcar
Formerly known as the King Creole food truck, Fete au Fete serves up crawfish poutine as well as "Trash Grits" with cheesy garlic grits, Creole County hogs head cheese and a fried egg with cayenne aioli. Perfect to soak up some booze, helpful at places like Second Line Brewing and The Tchoup Yard. Can also be found for lunch near the Tulane Medical Center area. Check twitter for locations: @feteaufete
Grilled cheese food truck with variations like the Gary - goat cheese, grape jelly, and bacon on a crossiant, or the Bootz with sharp cheddar, colby, and swiss on sourdough. Check 'em out at Second Line, Rusty Nail, and Tulane Medical Center. They're primarily on Instagram so check @frencheezetruck for updates.
Check out Mr. Choo at Urban South, Tchoup Yard, and the Kingpin these days for Southern-Asian food like the crispy pork chop sub or the chicken teriyaki burger. He's everywhere, actually. Keep up on Twitter: @mrchoonola
This Slidell-based truck comes into New Orleans for food truck roundups and special events. It's also been spotted in Covington, Metairie, and Mandeville. Check out local style food like cochon de lait and pimento grilled cheese. Keep an eye on Facebook for their whereabouts.
Keep an eye out for the shiny silver Airstream with global food options like Bailey's "Bad Ass" banh mi sliders with pork loin or Korean smoked pork tacos. IG and Twitter: @stuftstream
Get stick to your ribs eats with this food truck created and run by active duty military service members. Burgers, hot dogs, fried crawfish tails... also juice smoothies, which makes it unique. Keep an eye on their Instagram for what they're serving and where: @thesupperclub
A well-known quality in New Orleans, the Theo's truck serves pizza by the slice at roundups and events - it was parked at the Wednesday in the Square concert series this past spring, and can be found all over the place.
One of the trucks that started the food truck revolution in New Orleans, Taceaux Loceaux's authentic street tacos (and avacado fries, WHAT) can be found all over town at Courtyard Brewery, Dos Jefes Bar, The Kingpin, 45 Tchoup, and for lunch in various locations. With vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options (all delicious). Follow on Twitter: @TLNola
Saigon Slim's serves fresh, flavorful, and playful takes on Vietnamese standards resulting in dishes like Bananas Foster spring rolls, Kimchi fries, and Miso Honey banh mi. Frequently at The Kingpin, Courtyard Brewery and Second Line Brewing. Follow on Twitter: @SaigonSlims
Arepas, tacos, and the intiguingly named "burri-tacos" are stuffed full of meat, beans, cheese, and general deliciousness at La Cocinita's bright red food trucks. They can be found for Ochsner Medical Center, LSU Health Sciences Center, Children's Hospital updown and the Energy Center downtown for lunch, as well as feeding hungry drinkers at Rendezvous and Chickie Wah Wah. Keep tabs on them by following on Twitter: @LaCocinita
This food truck is unusual in that it actually has a wood burning oven in it. (usually it's a flattop grill and a fryolator, kids.) This makes for amazing, fresh, tender but sturdy crusted pizza with high quality and creative toppings like bacon jam, arugula, pears, and goat cheese. You can find them regularly at the French Truck Cafe on Dryades and Kingpin. Follow on Twtter: @StClairPizza
This bright yellow truck can be found at Tulane Lakeside, LSU Health Sciences Center, the Rusty Nail, and Children's Hospital serving, well, burgers and fries. But what burgers - with specials like the Burgerlaya or Pho Burger, burgers will never be the same again. The unadorned product is tasty as well, for the less adventurous types. Follow on Twitter: @burgersyaheard
Once a brick and mortar shop, the Diva Dawg folks have taken their show on the road. Hot dogs, of course, fries, and specials like shrimp etoufee sliders, kicked up nachos and quesadillas can be found all over town where the hungry masses await, like at Federal City, Eiffel Society, and the LSU Medical Center. But they range far and wide, so check 'em on Twitter: @DivaDawgTruck
Find these custom prepared wings (with a variety of sauces like voodoo or siriacha buffalo) at Tipitina's, Courtyard Brewery, or on Tulane at Lasalle or Loyola. In addition to wings, you can find fries and specials like crawfish and andouille pasta. Follow on Twitter: @wings_taylor
You can find this vegetarian/vegan friendly food truck serving its fattie burritos, tacos, rice bowls, and nachos every afternoon at 1430 Tulane Avenue for lunch. Fill up the vessel of choice with erk seasoned tofu, caramelized tilapia, chipotle cream, Monterey Jack cheese, and other ingredients and sauces as the chef sees fit. Follow on Twitter: @RollinfattiesNO
Fried chicken lovers, welcome to heaven on wheels. Get fried chicken sliders, fried chicken wings, french fries and more at Second Line, Tulane Medical Center, The Kingpin, and 45 Tchoup. Twitter and Instagram: @BonafriedTruck
Nathanial Zimet's Purple Truck has been seen serving food to pair with specific beers at the Avenue Pub on select Thursdays. Keep an eye on Boucherie's and Avenue Pub's social media to keep track of when it'll be there and what it'll be serving.
This truck from the minds behind Casa Borrega has traditional Cuban dishes like the cubano sandwich, fried yucca, and empanadas. It's just getting started this summer, but can be found at Courtyard on Fridays in August and downtown for lunch. Follow them on Twitter or Instagram: @EatLaCubana
This brick and mortar butcher has branched out into the food truck world. Currently at The Kingpin on Wednesdays, the menu includes such treats as pulled pork tacos, bacon jam and cornbread sliders with braised mustard greens, and boudin balls.
This is where to find home style New Orleans cooking with jambalaya, red beans, gumbo, poboys, and bread pudding. They usually turn up at festivals and events, so keep an eye out.
Another contender in the brick and mortar goes mobile trend. Get your dog on at Urban South, Second Line, Tulane Medical Center, LSU Health Center, Grit's, the Rusty Nail, as well as several locations on the West Bank.
District Donuts' food truck goes to downtown on Poydras, out to Lakeview, and to the Rusty Nail with their trademark donuts and sliders, and 100% of their profits go to the New Orleans based non-profit serving foster children, www.crossroadsnola.org. Instagram: @streatcar
Formerly known as the King Creole food truck, Fete au Fete serves up crawfish poutine as well as "Trash Grits" with cheesy garlic grits, Creole County hogs head cheese and a fried egg with cayenne aioli. Perfect to soak up some booze, helpful at places like Second Line Brewing and The Tchoup Yard. Can also be found for lunch near the Tulane Medical Center area. Check twitter for locations: @feteaufete
Grilled cheese food truck with variations like the Gary - goat cheese, grape jelly, and bacon on a crossiant, or the Bootz with sharp cheddar, colby, and swiss on sourdough. Check 'em out at Second Line, Rusty Nail, and Tulane Medical Center. They're primarily on Instagram so check @frencheezetruck for updates.
Check out Mr. Choo at Urban South, Tchoup Yard, and the Kingpin these days for Southern-Asian food like the crispy pork chop sub or the chicken teriyaki burger. He's everywhere, actually. Keep up on Twitter: @mrchoonola