Butter poached lobster tail meat under melted jack and cheddar cheeses, caramelized onion, and Roma tomatoes on freshly baked artisan sourdough. Tender, fragrant slow hickory smoked BBQ on toasted sourdough with a side of creamy three cheese mac-n-cheese. Savory hot corned beef piled high beneath melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on grilled rye bread. Ah, San Diego food trucks. Wait…what?!
It’s true. Like nearly every big city across the country, San Diego’s convenience-hungry masses have made food trucks all the rage over the last few years. While some established restaurants have taken to the streets with mobile versions, other food trucks are entirely invested in their kitchens on wheels. Some have even been started by local chefs abandoning traditional restaurants and taking their culinary skills on the road.
Recently, over 45,500 votes were cast for the San Diego A-List awards, and 153 food trucks were recognized for their mobile cuisine. Devilicious, Super Q Food Truck, Two for the Road, Marisco’s German Taco Truck, and New York on Rye were the top five food trucks receiving the most votes. Find out what they serve and where you can find them. You can also see the complete list of San Diego food trucks here.
Devilicious
There is a reason San Diegans voted Devilicious the number one food truck in San Diego. They have created such an amazing menu and following that they were invited to appear on a season of The Great Food Truck Race on the Food Network. Their specialty is gourmet sandwiches. You’ll find butter poached lobster grilled cheese on sourdough, an unbelievable cheese steak sandwich made from thinly sliced rib eye, and even a duck confit grilled cheese with honey port reduction. Devilicious has popular menu items that you can count on, plus a penchant for switching out or adding new items on a whim. Doesn’t matter. It’s all gourmet delicious. One of their three roving trucks also caters private events, otherwise check their schedule to see where they are today.
Super Q Food Truck
Kaminski’s BBQ & Sports Bar out of Poway has hit San Diego roads with the Super Q Food Truck. It’s hard to miss it with the Green Lantern-style superhero on the side – and believe it, you won’t want to miss it. First, there’s the delicious BBQ, but just as mouth watering is their three cheese mac-n-cheese. Their slow hickory smoked barbecue pork, beef brisket, and chicken can all be sampled when you order a trio of sliders. Top them with a sweet barbecue sauce or their vinegar-based Carolina sauce. Definitely go with the house made three cheese mac-n-cheese first; when you come back again and again, you’ll also appreciate the sweet potato fries with chipotle ranch, house made potato salad, and house made coleslaw. All winners.
Two for the Road
The food from Two for the Road is as wholesomely retro as their blue-and-white plaid food truck. This high-end chef and his travel foodie partner have teamed up to create a top five food truck that specializes in American comfort food. Two for the Road changes the menu weekly to include all the deliciousness they can create, but their food from around the country concept includes such entrées as New England lobster rolls, Brooklyn burgers, and Seattle salmon burgers. Expect retro sodas and Wicked Whoopie Pies. This relaxed duo doesn’t have a set schedule either. To find them on any given day, follow Two for the Road on Facebook or Twitter.
Marisco’s German Taco Truck
The Daily Meal chose Marisco’s fish taco as the number five taco of any kind in the entire country. This food truck is also on one of Zagat’s top five lists for best fish tacos in San Diego. Their generous fresh pieces of mahi-mahi are hand-battered and fried to crispy perfection, then served on a fresh tortilla with shredded cabbage, tomatoes, and onions, and topped with a creamy sauce. Tostada Loca is another San Diego favorite from Marisco’s German Taco Truck. Savor a complimentary cup of consommé while you wait for your order. There’s a truck in San Marcos, National City, and another in Otay Mesa. There used to be a truck on Grape Street Downtown, but not anymore. Your best bet is to look them up on San Diego Yelp to see where they’re currently located. As for the menu? Well, it’s on the truck, you’ll just have to take everyone’s word for it…it is food worth finding.
New York on Rye
This food truck, an artisan delicatessen on wheels, is also listed among the nine best Jewish food trucks in the United States (not kosher). You’ll find delectable signature sandwiches like the ever popular grilled reuben – hot corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on grilled rye bread. The New Yorker with hot pastrami is another local favorite. You can also order classic deli sandwiches, or lunch combos with a half-sandwich and soup or salad. How do you like your potatoes – twice fried Kennebec fries, cheesy fries, corned beef hash over fries, or potato knish? Wash these sumptuous New York on Rye truck menu selections down with Dr. Brown’s classic deli sodas or Snapple teas. Bonus: you get an order of free fries with a Yelp check-in.
Check out the menus and locations of San Diego’s food trucks and see what all the fuss is about, or compare trucks at one of San Diego’s many festivals.
For a sit down meal, check out one of our many personally reviewed San Diego restaurants.