Quick answer
Austin's food truck scene, known for its ambition and culinary diversity, offers meals in the $8-$22 range, with KG BBQ being the most recommended across Reddit and Michelin. This guide highlights the best food trucks in Austin, verified by Reddit, Michelin, and top food critics.
- Best overall
- KG BBQ
- Top pick
- KG BBQ
Top verdicts
- KG BBQ: Lunch service runs Wed–Sun and routinely sells out by 2pm; arrive at noon.
- Cuantos Tacos: Cash-friendly, takeaway counter, eat at the picnic tables on East 12th.
- Discada: Smaller operation than Cuantos; weekday lunches are the easiest in.
Austin has more food trucks per capita than any city in America, and they serve everything from world-class brisket to Michelin-recognized barbacoa. Six trucks on this list are in the Michelin Guide. Average spend: $8-$15 per person.
What makes Austin's food truck scene special isn't just the volume — it's the ambition. These aren't hot dog carts. They're full-blown culinary operations run by chefs who chose trailers over brick-and-mortar, often parked at breweries with shaded patios and live music. The food truck IS the destination.
Area map
All 12 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KG BBQ | egyptian-texan-bbq | mid | 3108 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723 |
| 2 | Cuantos Tacos | mexico-city-style-tacos | budget | 1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702 |
| 3 | Discada | northern-mexican-tacos | budget | 1700 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 |
| 4 | Distant Relatives | african-diaspora-bbq | mid | 3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744 |
| 5 | Briscuits | bbq-biscuit-sandwiches | mid | 4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704 |
| 6 | La Santa Barbacha | barbacoa-tacos | budget | 2806 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722 |
| 7 | Veracruz All Natural | breakfast-tacos | budget | 2505 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702 |
| 8 | Arlo's | vegan-comfort-food | mid | 2337 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 |
| 9 | Feral Pizza | new-york-style-pizza | mid | 500 E 51st St, Austin, TX 78751 |
| 10 | Paprika ATX | hungarian-texan-fusion | mid | 6539 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752 |
| 11 | Mr. Pimento | jamaican-jerk-chicken | mid | 7221 McNeil Dr, Austin, TX 78729 |
| 12 | Knuckle Sandwich | italian-deli-sandwiches | mid | 440 E St Elmo Rd E-2, Austin, TX 78745 |
1KG BBQ
Egyptian-Texan BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Brisket pilgrims who want a Middle Eastern twist
- Strengths
- Known for Egyptian-Texan BBQ · 3108 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
- Price / value
- $15-$22
- Why it made the list
- Egyptian-Texan BBQ from chef Kareem El-Ghayesh on Manor Road — Michelin Guide-recognized, 4.7 stars across 1,500+ reviews. The most-ambitious crossover concept in the Austin truck scene.
- What to order
- Order the brisket with za'atar pita — the Egyptian-Texan signature combination.
2Cuantos Tacos
Mexico City-Style TacosQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mexico City street tacos in East Austin
- Strengths
- Known for Mexico City-Style Tacos · 1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
- Price / value
- $3-$5/taco
- Why it made the list
- Mexico City-style street tacos in East Austin from chef Luis Robledo — Michelin Bib Gourmand-tier recognition and 4.7 stars across 1,100+ reviews. The CDMX taqueria experience without the flight.
- What to order
- Order suadero (confit beef) and cabeza tacos — the CDMX street-cart benchmarks.
3Discada
Northern Mexican TacosQuick comparison
- Best for
- Northern Mexican discada done right
- Strengths
- Known for Northern Mexican Tacos · 1700 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
- Price / value
- $3-$4/taco
- Why it made the list
- Northern Mexican discada-style tacos cooked on a plow disc — a regional Coahuila-Chihuahua tradition rare to see in the U.S. 4.7 stars across 580 reviews.
- What to order
- Order the discada taco with all the meats; that's the dish the truck is named after.
4Distant Relatives
African Diaspora BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- BBQ pilgrims wanting an African-diaspora angle
- Strengths
- Known for African Diaspora BBQ · 3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744
- Price / value
- $14-$22
- Why it made the list
- African-diaspora BBQ from chef Damien Brockway — South Austin truck applying West African and Caribbean techniques to Texas barbecue. 4.5 stars across 285 reviews.
- What to order
- Order the boudin and any of the weekly specials; the rotating menu is where Brockway's range shows.
5Briscuits
BBQ Biscuit SandwichesQuick comparison
- Best for
- BBQ-on-biscuits as a snack-meal hybrid
- Strengths
- Known for BBQ Biscuit Sandwiches · 4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704
- Price / value
- $10-$16
- Why it made the list
- BBQ on a fluffy buttermilk biscuit — the Briscuits gimmick that locals took seriously enough to rate it 4.7 stars across 200 reviews. Parked at Radio Coffee & Beer on Menchaca.
- What to order
- Order the brisket biscuit with house pickles — the namesake sandwich.
6La Santa Barbacha
Barbacoa TacosQuick comparison
- Best for
- Weekend barbacoa with consomé
- Strengths
- Known for Barbacoa Tacos · 2806 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
- Price / value
- $4-$8
- Why it made the list
- Austin's Michelin-recognized barbacoa specialist — slow-cooked beef cheek and lamb tacos on hand-pressed tortillas. 4.6 stars across 380 reviews.
- What to order
- Order the barbacoa de res tacos with consomé on the side.
7Veracruz All Natural
Breakfast TacosQuick comparison
- Best for
- The Austin breakfast-taco benchmark
- Strengths
- Known for Breakfast Tacos · 2505 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702
- Price / value
- $4-$7
- Why it made the list
- Austin's most-famous breakfast-taco truck — Reyna sisters' Veracruz All Natural is on Eater's Top 100 nationally and has 2,100+ Google reviews. The migas taco is the most-ordered breakfast taco in Austin.
- What to order
- Order the Migas Taco — the dish that essentially defined modern Austin breakfast tacos.
8Arlo's
Vegan Comfort FoodQuick comparison
- Best for
- Vegan comfort food that doesn't apologize
- Strengths
- Known for Vegan Comfort Food · 2337 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
- Price / value
- $10-$14
- Why it made the list
- Austin's most-cited vegan truck — plant-based comfort food (bac'n cheeseburger, faux cheesesteak) with 4.5 stars across 1,500+ reviews. Multiple locations across town.
- What to order
- Order the Bac'n Cheeseburger; it's the Arlo's item that converted carnivores.
9Feral Pizza
New York-Style PizzaQuick comparison
- Best for
- Cult-status NY-style pizza with a long-ferment crust
- Strengths
- Known for New York-Style Pizza · 500 E 51st St, Austin, TX 78751
- Price / value
- $14-$24
- Why it made the list
- Two-day fermented New York-style pizza behind a convenience store on East 51st — the highest-rated entry on this list at 4.9 stars across 170 reviews. Cult-favorite, low-volume operation.
- What to order
- Order the cheese slice and a pepperoni — the simplest pies showcase the long-fermented dough.
10Paprika ATX
Hungarian-Texan FusionQuick comparison
- Best for
- Hungarian-Texan hybrid Austin couldn't have predicted
- Strengths
- Known for Hungarian-Texan Fusion · 6539 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
- Price / value
- $12-$18
- Why it made the list
- Hungarian-Texan fusion from chef Tom Bayer — Hungarian dough, Texas brisket, paprika at the center. 4.8 stars across 600+ reviews on North Lamar.
- What to order
- Order the langós (Hungarian fried dough) topped with brisket and sour cream.
11Mr. Pimento
Jamaican Jerk ChickenQuick comparison
- Best for
- Pimento-smoke jerk chicken pilgrims
- Strengths
- Known for Jamaican Jerk Chicken · 7221 McNeil Dr, Austin, TX 78729
- Price / value
- $10-$16
- Why it made the list
- Jamaican jerk chicken in Northwest Austin — 4.9 stars across 450+ reviews and one of the highest-rated trucks on the list. Pimento-wood smoke is the differentiator.
- What to order
- Order the jerk chicken with rice and peas — the Jamaican-canon plate.
12Knuckle Sandwich
Italian Deli SandwichesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Italian deli subs and a craft beer chaser
- Strengths
- Known for Italian Deli Sandwiches · 440 E St Elmo Rd E-2, Austin, TX 78745
- Price / value
- $12-$16
- Why it made the list
- South Austin Italian deli sandwiches in the St. Elmo industrial-brewery cluster — chicken parm, meatball subs, hot Italian sub. 4.5 stars across 187 reviews.
- What to order
- Order the chicken parm sub — the truck's most-ordered item.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best food truck in Austin?
KG BBQ is the most recommended food truck in Austin across Reddit and Michelin. Their Egyptian-Texan fusion barbecue features za'atar-dusted ribs and turmeric rice bowls unlike anything else in the city.
Where are the best food truck parks in Austin?
The best food truck parks include Arbor Food Park on East 12th (home to Cuantos Tacos), Meanwhile Brewing (Distant Relatives), Radio Coffee & Beer on Menchaca (Briscuits), and the Webberville Road corridor in East Austin.
Are Austin food trucks cheap?
Yes. Most food truck meals run $8-$15 per person. Taco trucks like Cuantos Tacos and Discada serve tacos for $3-$4 each. BBQ trucks like KG BBQ are slightly higher at $15-$22 for a plate.
What food trucks does Reddit recommend in Austin?
The most frequently recommended food trucks on r/austinfood include KG BBQ, Cuantos Tacos, Discada, Veracruz All Natural, and La Santa Barbacha.
Do Austin food trucks accept credit cards?
Most Austin food trucks accept credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Some use QR code ordering. A few cash-only holdouts remain, so bring $20 just in case.
What are the best food trucks for late night in Austin?
For late-night food trucks, Cuantos Tacos is open until midnight. Several East Cesar Chavez trucks serve until late on weekends. Always check current hours as food truck schedules shift frequently.
Are any Austin food trucks Michelin recommended?
Yes. Six Austin food trucks are in the Michelin Guide: KG BBQ, Cuantos Tacos, Discada, Distant Relatives, Briscuits, and La Santa Barbacha. All six are on this list.
What are the absolute must-try food trucks in Austin?
For an unforgettable experience, start with <a href="#kg-bbq"><strong>KG BBQ</strong></a> for their unique Egyptian-Texan fusion, or dive into authentic Mexico City-style flavors at <a href="#cuantos-tacos"><strong>Cuantos Tacos</strong></a>. If you're craving breakfast, <a href="#veracruz-all-natural"><strong>Veracruz All Natural</strong></a> is legendary. For vegan comfort food that will surprise you, <a href="#arlos"><strong>Arlo's</strong></a> is a top pick. Each offers a distinct taste of Austin's vibrant food scene.
Are there good vegan or vegetarian food truck options in Austin?
Absolutely! Austin is a haven for plant-based eaters. <a href="#arlos"><strong>Arlo's</strong></a> is renowned as the best vegan food truck, with dishes like their Bac'n Cheezy burger being a huge hit. Many other trucks, including <a href="#veracruz-all-natural"><strong>Veracruz All Natural</strong></a>, offer excellent vegetarian and easily adaptable vegan options, making it easy to find something delicious.
What's the best time to visit Austin food trucks to avoid crowds?
To minimize wait times, aim for off-peak hours. Lunch crowds typically peak between 12-1 PM, and dinner around 6:30-7:30 PM. Visiting mid-afternoon (2-4 PM) on weekdays or going right when trucks open can offer a more relaxed experience. Popular breakfast spots like <a href="#veracruz-all-natural"><strong>Veracruz All Natural</strong></a> can get busy early, so plan accordingly.
Do Austin food trucks accept credit cards, or should I bring cash?
The vast majority of Austin's food trucks are modern establishments that readily accept credit and debit cards. Many also support mobile payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay, and online ordering is common. While carrying a little cash is always a good idea for contingencies, you typically won't need it for most of the popular trucks on this list.
Which food trucks in Austin offer unique international cuisine?
Austin's food trucks are a melting pot of global flavors! For a truly unique experience, try <a href="#kg-bbq"><strong>KG BBQ</strong></a> with its innovative Egyptian-Texan BBQ, or explore the distinct Hungarian-Texan fusion at <a href="#paprika-atx"><strong>Paprika ATX</strong></a>. Don't miss the authentic Jamaican jerk chicken at <a href="#mr-pimento"><strong>Mr. Pimento</strong></a> for a taste of the Caribbean, showcasing the city's diverse culinary landscape.