No question about it, Memphis has one awesome — and tasty — food truck scene! Dozens of food trucks are now rolling through the streets of the Bluff City at events, in parks, on street corners and at office complexes. No matter what kind of cuisine you are craving, you can find it on a food truck somewhere in town.
Most food trucks move around town daily, but many have set locations every week. For lunch, check out the food truck scene downtown at Court Square on Thursdays or out East at Food Truck Fridays at the Dixon. There’s always a great and varied selection at those hip spots. In the evenings, food trucks can be found parked outside our popular Midtown taprooms, as well as at music venues like Levitt Shell and Memphis Botanic Garden.
Keep on truckin’ with this list of our favorites right now. To find where your favorite is on any given day, the best bet is to check out their social media posts — and we’ve included all of their handles for you!
Voodoo Cafe
Specialty: Coffe and Beignets
F: @vdcfoodtruck | I: @thevoodoocafe
The brains behind Voodoo Cafe, Mark Lansdon, took an old Ford Vanette and turned it into Voodoo Cafe. This food truck serves up international coffee like Iced Vietnamese, Cafe Cubano and Turkish, as well as delicious beignets with a voodoo twist.
Serving up delicious coffee and beignets, you’ll never miss this truck coming! Image: Voodoo Cafe
Their voodoo beignets are fried then dipped in powder sugar. Image: Voodoo Cafe
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Happy Glaze Donuts
Specialty: Donuts
F: @happyglazedonuts | I: @happyglazedouts
What goes better together than coffee and donuts? Whether you want Happy Glaze Donuts “Little Big Box” full of assorted donuts for the office or a delicious cup of Joe, this truck will start your morning off right. Each day they have a different flavor of donut to try, so we dare you to try them all. And co-owners Krissy Johnson and Jake Gaines are opening a storefront soon!
“The Little Big Box” has a variety of donut flavors. Image: Happy Glaze Donuts
Co-owners Krissy Johnson and Jake Gaines posing with their food truck. Image: Happy Glaze Donuts
Soi Number 9
Specialty: Thai cuisine
F: @soinumber9 | T: @soinumber9 | I: @soinumber9
Mai Mitrakul and Teerasak “Tim” Vimonnimit at Soi Number 9 take Thai street food to the next level. They are not only serving the best Thai food on a food truck, but some of the best Thai food in town. Spring rolls, rice bowls and noodle bowls are their specialties. Try the basil chicken, which is a stir-fried ground chicken seasoned with garlic, fresh chilies and Thai basil served over jasmine rice and topped with a fried egg. One bite and you will know why it’s the most popular dish on their menu.
For delicious Thai street food, stop by Soi Number 9. Image: Soi Number 9
Try the basil chicken — stir-fried ground chicken seasoned with garlic, fresh chilies and Thai basil is served over jasmine rice and topped with a fried egg. Image: Soi Number 9
Memphis Mojo Café
Specialty: Burgers
F: @mojotn | T: @memphismojocafe | I: @memphismojofoodtruck
The Memphis Mojo Café food truck serves the greatest hits on the menu at their Bartlett restaurant by the same name. Burgers are the must-order. Brad Pitts, who organizes the food trucks for special events at GPAC, says, “Their bacon-pimento burger with candied bacon and homemade smoked Gouda pimento cheese is the best burger in all of Memphis!” Look for it as a special on their daily menu. SB Tip: Memphis Mojo also will make you a Grilled Cheese with their divine pimento cheese and candied bacon if you ask.
For one of the best burgers in town, look for Memphis Mojo Café’s bright red truck. Image: Memphis Mojo Café
Grisanti’s 9-DOUGH-1
Specialty: Pizza
F: @NineDoughOne | I: @9_dough_1
If you loved his pizza at Elfo’s, you are in luck. At 9-DOUGH-1, Alex Grisanti is serving rustic gourmet Tuscan flatbread pizzas. The lobster pizza is hands-down the most popular. Fresh lobster meat, roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions and a garlic cream sauce base make this pizza one-of-a-kind. Each pizza is about 8-inches, making it perfect for you and your date to get one each and share! SB Tip: 9-DOUGH-1 also serves Grisanti’s famous toasted ravioli with meat sauce. It’s an appetizer not to be missed!
Alex Grisanti had his new food truck 9-DOUGH-1 hand-painted by local artist Toonky Berry. From this colorful truck, Alex serves some of the best pizza in town. Image: 9-DOUGH-1
Look at the rustic texture of this authentic pizza pie! Image: 9-DOUGH-1
Stanley’s Sweet Street Treats
Specialty: Gourmet sandwiches
F: @stanleyssweetstreettreats2016 | I: @stanleyssweetstreettreats
Have a sweet tooth? Give Stanley’s Sweet Street Treats a try. The Mrs. Jenny Sandwich, named after Mike’s grandmother, is out of this world. Grilled herb-marinated boneless chicken thighs are served with fennel chow-chow and Mississippi comeback sauce on a toasted hoagie roll — it’s hearty and full of flavor. Not in the mood for chicken? They also offer a soft-shell crab BLT and a vegetarian oyster mushroom sandwich, yum!
Mike and Rose Stanley of Stanley’s Sweet Street Treats make some of our favorite sandwiches in town. Image: Stanley’s Sweet Street Treats
Pictured is a hot capicollo special sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomato and pesto on sourdough. Image: Stanley’s Sweet Street Treats
Fuel Café Food Truck
Specialty: Tacos
FB: @FuelFoodTruck | T: @FuelFoodTruck | I: @fuelfoodtruck
Just like at their restaurant, Fuel Café Food Truck serves up tasty fare using all-natural ingredients and with many vegan-friendly options. Tacos are their signature item with three choices: bison, chicken or veggie. “Our bison tacos are probably the most popular,” says owner Erik Proveaux. We love the veggie taco that’s stuffed with a crumbled version of their famous black bean burger. Hearty and filling, you never miss the meat!
Choose from bison, chicken or veggie tacos when ordering from the Fuel Food Truck. Image: Fuel Cafe
RAWK’n Grub
Specialty: Burgers
F: @RAWKnGrub | T: @RAWKn_Grub | I: @rawkngrub
RAWK’n Grub serves up killer burgers with a creative spin. Paying attention to every detail, owner Steph Cook grinds his burger meat daily to create his signature “RNG Grind” of sirloin and ribeye. The “Pattie LaMellte” (all the menu items have fun rock-and-roll names) is a customer favorite as well as one of our go-tos. A classic with a twist, this patty melt has caramelized onions, smoked Gouda pimento cheese and American cheese on grilled wheat-berry bread.
RAWK’n Grub’s Blue Suede Shoestring Potatoes are a fan favorite. Image: RAWK’n Grub
RAWK’n Grub’s regular spots are Court Square on Thursdays, Memphis Farmers Market on Saturdays and Canvas of Memphis for Brunch on Sundays. Image: RAWK’n Grub
El Mero Taco
Specialty: Tacos
T: @MeroTaco | I: @elmerotaco
Holy guacamole! Tacos on a truck just sounds like heaven. Owners of El Mero Taco, Clarissa and Jacob recently just put up a storefront located in Cordova, but their food truck is still going strong. Clarissa, from Oaxaca, Mexico, grew up helping family-run restaurants, while Jacob cooked in the kitchen with his grandmother his whole life. Needless to say, their kitchen background has helped them to where they are today.
Grab some tasty tacos! Image: El Mero Taco
Tacos from El Mero Taco are made using fresh, local ingredients. Image: El Mero Taco
Stickem
Specialty: Kabobs
F: @stickemfood | T: @StickemFood | I: @stickemfood
Stickem does one thing: food on a stick! And boy, do they do it well! Options are skewered beef, chicken, shrimp or tofu served with your choice of veggies, rice or fries. You can choose one type of skewer or get one of their platters with two types. Sweet and simple, but super tasty, their skewers are well-seasoned using an interesting blend of spices that must have their roots in Ethiopian cuisine. We love it, because it is a healthy lunch option if you opt for just the grilled meat and veggies.
A Stickem platter with grilled shrimp and steak skewers, grilled veggies, and rice makes a delish and healthy meal. Image: Stickem
Central BBQ
Specialty: Barbecue
F: @cbqmemphis | T: @CentralBBQ | I:@centralbbq
You can’t miss the Central BBQ Food Truck! This brightly colored truck with a tie-dyed theme serves up the award-winning barbecue that Memphians have fallen in love with. Pulled pork sammies and ribs are popular go-to’s, of course, but the nachos are to die for.
No missing Central BBQ’s brightly colored food truck! Image: Central BBQ
The BBQ Nachos from Central BBQ are to die for. Image: Central BBQ
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Say Cheese!
Specialty: Grilled cheese sandwiches
F: @saycheese901 | T: @SayCheese901 | I: @saycheese901
The name says it all! Say Cheese! serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches that kids of all ages love. The most popular grilled cheese creation on the truck is the triple decker. Loaded with ooey-gooey pepper jack, colby and provolone with their homemade garlic aioli, this awesome sandwich can be taken over the top by adding bacon. Say Cheese! posts a weekly schedule on social media on Sundays to let people know what to look forward to and where to find their two trucks around town.
Phillin’ Frisky is waiting on you. Image: Say Cheese!
Fresh Gulf Shrimp
Specialty: Seafood
F: @Remoulade901 | T: @FRESHGULF | I: @freshgulfshrimp
Craving seafood? Then head straight to Jacqueline Johnson’s Fresh Gulf Shrimp truck. Jacqueline started her business by selling fresh Gulf seafood that she purchased straight off the boats in Bayou La’Batre, Alabama. As her business grew and folks started asking for cooked seafood, she decided to open a food truck. Her signature dish is the #PoBoy901, which is a classic dressed po’ boy loaded with her famous fried shrimp.
Fresh Gulf Shrimp serves up fresh Gulf seafood from Bayou La’Batre, Alabama. Image: Fresh Gulf Shrimp
The Captain’s Platter includes catfish fillets, Gulf shrimp, oysters and fresh cut seasoned fries. Image: Fresh Gulf Shrimp
Raw Girls
Specialty: Raw vegetarian dishes and cold-pressed juices
F: @rawgirlsmemphis | T: @RawGirlsMemphis | I: @rawgirlsmemphis
Don’t let the word “raw” scare you away from this food truck! Amy and Hannah Pickle serve up some of the most delicious food in town from this popular and healthy food truck. Raw Girls lets you sample everything on their seasonal menu. There are two dishes, however, that they never take off the menu due to customer demand. “Folks love our taco salad with raw, savory walnut meat, house-made guacamole and pico de gallo,” says Amy. Raw Girls has two trucks that never move. Open Thursday through Monday, they have permanent residence in East Memphis at 5502 Poplar Ave. and in Midtown at 242 South Cooper.
Raw Girls food truck’s Midtown location is on Cooper in the Midtown Yoga parking lot. Image: Raw Girls
Taqueria Express #5
Specialty: Tacos
If you’re craving tacos, Taqueria Express #5 is the food truck for you. This authentic Mexican eatery on wheels serves up 99-cent tacos that are muy delicioso! Our favorites are the spicy pork (pastor) tacos and the steak (carne) tacos. The tacos are served traditionally — on warm tortillas and garnished with cilantro, diced white onion and a wedge of lime. Mild or spicy salsa is available upon request. Ask for a melon agua fresca to wash it all down. Located on the northeast corner of Summer Avenue at Perkins Road, this food truck is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Taqueria Express #5 is located on the Northeast corner of Summer Avenue at Perkins Road.
Taqueria Express #5 serves up authentic Mexican tacos. At 99 cents each, we can’t help but order more than one!
MemPops
Specialty: Popsicles
F: @MemPops | T:@MEMPopS | I:@MemPops
Cold and refreshing, MemPops is the sweetest truck to encounter on a hot summer day. Owner Chris Taylor’s handcrafted popsicles have quickly become a local favorite. Their pop flavors are constantly changing based on local and seasonal availability. Strawberry is their top seller, but don’t miss the creative seasonal flavors coming up this summer. “Watermelon-basil, blueberry-lemon-maple, roasted peach, blackberry-lemon-rose and avocado-lime are all fan favorites. I think we have a really great sweet corn and maple bacon pop that folks should try when they are available,” adds Chris. With more than one truck, MemPops can be found at events all around town.
The cute and old-fashioned MemPops light blue truck can often be found outside Memphis Made Brewing Company. Image: MemPops
MemPops are our favorite frozen food truck treat. Image: MemPops
Court Square Food Truck Thursday is every Thursday, year-round, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy food from 15+ food trucks with a live music concert series.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens Food Truck Friday is every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., April through September. Admission is free to the gardens during Food Truck Fridays.
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