No question about it, Memphis has one incredible — and incredibly tasty — food truck scene! Dozens of mobile culinary concepts are now rolling through the streets of the Bluff City in parks, on street corners, and at office complexes and community events. No matter what kind of cuisine you might be craving, chances are, you can find it on a nearby food truck.
Most food trucks travel around town daily, while others have set locations each week. For hip lunch spots, head downtown to Court Square on Thursdays or out East to Food Truck Fridays at the Dixon, where you can find a great (and varied) selection. In the evenings, food trucks can be spotted outside of popular Midtown taprooms and at music venues like Overton Park Shell (formerly Levitt Shell) and the Live at the Garden Concert Series.
To find out where your favorite truck is parked on any given day, your best bet is to follow them on social media for regular updates. We’re making that easy by including all of their handles for you. Happy hunting!
Central BBQ
Specialty: Barbecue
Facebook: @cbqmemphis | Instagram:@centralbbq
You can’t miss the Central BBQ food truck! This brightly colored truck wrapped in tie-dye serves up the award-winning barbecue that Memphians love. Pulled pork sammies and ribs are popular go-to’s, of course, but the nachos are to die for. PS, their banana pudding is worth the extra indulgence.
Crawfish Shack
Specialty: Crawfish
Facebook: @crawfishshackmemphis |Â Instagram: @crawfishshackmemphis
There’s no denying that when the weather warms up in Memphis, crawfish season is in full force. Taste it for yourself at Crawfish Shack! Not only is their crawfish delicious, but the potatoes, corn, and shrimp are equally impressive. They also offer catering, so next time you’re having a party (or just want an excuse for lots of crawfish), be sure to keep them in mind.
Cousins Maine Lobster
Specialty: Lobster
Facebook: @cmlobstermemphis |Â Instagram: @cousinsmainelobster
Two words: Lobster roll. Well, and lobster tots, of course. But in all seriousness, if you want a little taste of the coast, Cousins Maine Lobster delivers — Maine-style or Connecticut-style, it makes no difference. The rolls are so good that you’ll want to try them both … And the tots, too. They’re constantly popping up at fun places around Memphis (like Shops of Saddle Creek), so you can get some yummy food and get your shopping on.
el Mero Taco
Specialty: Tacos
Facebook: @elmerotacomemphis | Instagram: @elmerotaco
Holy guacamole! Grabbing tacos from a truck just sounds right. El Mero Taco owners Clarissa and Jacob have added a storefront, but their food truck is still going strong. Clarissa grew up helping family-run restaurants in Oaxaca, Mexico, while Jacob cooked in the kitchen with his grandmother his whole life. Their kitchen backgrounds have helped them to where they are today. If you’re ever in the Cordova area, you can also visit their storefront on Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Until then, try the truck.
Fresh Gulf Shrimp
Specialty: Seafood
Facebook: @Remoulade901 | Instagram: @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, a classically dressed po’boy loaded with her famous fried shrimp.
The Fry Guy
Specialty: Fries
The Fry Guy concept is simple: Choose a fry type such as straight-cut, seasoned, or sweet potato, then choose a topping and let The Fry Guy do the rest. Toppings run the gamut from chili, chicken, pulled pork, steak, and veggies to onions, peppers, sour cream, cheese, and so much more. And drumroll, please, they’re now doing fry tacos. Yes, you read that right!
Memphis Mojo Café
Specialty: Burgers
Facebook: @mojotn | Instagram: @memphismojofoodtruck
The Memphis Mojo Café food truck serves the greatest hits from their Bartlett restaurant menu, and the burgers are a 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. Their Bartlett storefront is also open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. SB TIP: If you ask, Memphis Mojo also will make you a grilled cheese with their divine pimento cheese and candied bacon.
MemPops
Specialty: Popsicles
Facebook: @MemPops | Instagram:@MemPops
Cold and refreshing, MemPops is the sweetest truck to visit on a hot summer day. Owner Chris Taylor’s handcrafted popsicles have quickly become a local favorite, and the pop flavors are constantly changing based on local and seasonal availability. Strawberry is the top seller, but this summer, don’t miss the creative seasonal flavors. With more than one truck, MemPops can be found at events around town. They also have two storefronts: Crosstown Concourse and a spot in East Memphis on Ridgeway Road.
Raw Girls
Specialty: Raw vegetarian dishes and cold-pressed juices
Facebook: @rawgirlsmemphis | Instagram: @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. However, several dishes are never taken off the menu due to high demand. Raw Girls has two stationary trucks and two storefronts — one in Saddle Creek and one in downtown Memphis. They just rolled out the most delicious acai bowl, and we definitely recommend trying it out. You won’t regret it!
Say Cheese!
Specialty: Grilled cheese sandwiches
Facebook: @saycheese901 | Instagram: @saycheese901
The name says it all. Say Cheese! serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches loved by all ages. The truck’s most popular grilled cheese creation is the triple-decker, which comes loaded with ooey-gooey pepper jack, Colby and provolone, and homemade garlic aioli. Plus, you can top it off with bacon. Say Cheese! posts a weekly schedule on Sundays via social media to let fans know what to look forward to and where to find their two trucks around town. Plus, you can order online and pick it up whenever it’s convenient for you!
Soi Number 9
Specialty: Thai cuisine
Facebook: @soinumber9 |Â Instagram: @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 local truck but also some of the best Thai food in town. Spring rolls, rice bowls, and noodle bowls are their specialties. Try the basil chicken, 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’ll know why it’s the most popular dish on their menu.
Stickem
Specialty: Kabobs
Facebook: @stickemfood | Instagram: @stickemfood
Stickem does only one thing: food on a stick. And boy, do they do it well! You have the option of skewered beef, chicken, shrimp, or tofu served with your choice of veggies, rice, or fries. Sweet and simple but super tasty, their skewers are well-seasoned using an exciting blend of spices that might just have their roots in Ethiopian cuisine. For a healthy and flavorful lunch, skip the rice and stick to the grilled meat and veggies.
Tacos Nganas
Specialty: Tacos
Facebook: @taconganas | Instagram: @tacosnganasmemphis
Tacos Nganas is the talk of Memphis. Choose your meat type, preparation style, and whether or not you want any extras added (the al pastor tacos happen to be a favorite!). And thankfully, with three locations — Summer Avenue, Germantown Parkway, and Perkins — it’s not hard to locate a truck when the cravings hit.
Voodoo Cafe
Specialty: Coffee and Beignets
Facebook: @vdcfoodtruck |Â Instagram: @thevoodoocafe
Mark Lansdon took an old Ford Vanette and turned it into Voodoo Cafe — a memorable food truck, to be sure! It serves up international coffees such as Iced Vietnamese, Cafe Cubano, and Turkish, as well as delicious beignets with a voodoo twist. There’s also a storefront that you can visit Wednesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Court Square on Thursdays is every Thursday, year-round, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy food from 15-plus food trucks with a live music concert series.
Food Truck Fridays at the Dixon is weekly from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., April through September. Admission is free to the gardens during Food Truck Fridays.
Did we miss one of your favorite food trucks? Email [email protected].
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