Food trucks, traditionally known as “loncheras” in Orange County, is an exciting way to try an array of foods. From your gourmet style trucks to the mom and pop trucks, you can’t go wrong! With the explosion of food trucks in the recent years it might be hard to choose which ones to visit.
Our guide will help steer you in the right direction! Whether you’re in town for a Disney weekend or cruising down to the beach do not pass up the opportunity to visit one of North Orange County’s top food trucks.
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10. Birria El Tapatio
Birria tacos are all the rage in the food scene right now! If you’ve ever been curious about the wonders of birria tacos, look no further than Birria El Tapatio. We highly recommend The Experience plate that let’s you try three different types of birria tacos, including the oh-so-famous Queso Birria taco, alongside their house made consome. Female Foodie reminder: dip your tacos in your consome for the ultimate birria experience! Located in Garden Grove Thursday through Sunday 11 am-10 pm.
Birria El Tapatio
9. Pico Smashes
Pico Smashes food truck is one of those gems that leaves you thinking about their food for days after. What do you get when you combine a cuban sandwich and a smash burger? Pico Smashes Cubana Smash. Loaded up with two smash patties, ham, bacon, jalapeños, American/Swish cheese, Chipotle Aioli, Avocado Sauce, and Mayo. Don’t let the amount of ingredients scare you away, it will truly leave you speechless! You can find Pico Smashes weekly schedule on their website.
Pico Smashes
$$ Food Trucks, Smashburgers, Sandwiches
8. Habachihana
Habachi on wheels? Not many think of Habachi and think food trucks. However, Habachihana has managed to bring the exciting world of Habachi right to the heart of Santa Ana. With an array of proteins to choose from, we recommend the filet mignon and shrimp plate. A little surf and turf for curbside pick up? Don’t mind if we do! Don’t forget to grab a side of their delicious garlic noodles and specialty sauces to pair with. You can find their truck schedule daily on their social media.
Habachihana
7. VCHOS
There’s something special about making food from the heart and sharing it with others. At VCHOS food truck that’s exactly what you get. Pupusas are the national dish of El Salvador that combines masa and various types of fillings and then cooked over a flat top, and VCHOS serves some of the best around. We recommend the Pupusas Revueltas, a pupusa stuffed with pork, bean, and cheese accompanied with their house made curtido (pickled cabbage). Looking for something heartier? Get the Pan con Pollo, a sandwich made up of braised marinated chicken and all the fixings. Don’t be deterred by the wait time– everything is made to order and served piping hot. You can find VCHOS food schedule posted every day on their website and social media.
Vchos Food Truck
$ Salvadoran, American (Traditional), Food Trucks
323-283-9558
6. Mad Dumplings
We can’t have an Orange County food truck guide without including Mad Dumplings. There is a reason this is one of OC’s most beloved food truck. Order their fried chicken dumplings with cilantro aioli on the side for an explosion of flavor in your mouth! We also recommend a plate of their delicious Bulgogi fries for an extra treat. Mad Dumplings posts their weekly schedule on their website.
Mad Dumplings
5. Evan’s Smokehouse
Blink and you might miss this food truck located in historic old town Yorba Linda. Evan’s Smokehouse is known for their Southern bbq. You can find items like pork ribs, brisket, and their creamy Mac n Cheese. Order ahead of time or arrive early as they do tend to sell out quickly! Open Thursday 4-8 pm, Friday-Saturday, 4-9 pm, and Sunday 4-8 pm.
Evan’s Smokehouse
4. Don Churro’s Gomez
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, Don Churros Gomez in Anaheim is the place to go! These churros are not only made from scratch, but are a family recipe all the way from Jalisco, Mexico. The dough takes three days to prepare and makes absolutely delicious churros. We highly recommend the traditional churros topped with ice cream. They also offer their specialty cajeta sauce on the side (a Mexican caramel sauce). Order on their website ahead of time to avoid a wait!
Don Churros Gomez
Related: 10 Best Ice Cream Shops in Orange County
3. Bred’s Nashville Hot Chicken
This North Orange County food truck will have your taste buds on fire! Bred’s Nashville Hot Chicken offers a variety of chicken dishes like juicy tenders, chicken sandwiches, and chicken ‘n waffles. A customer favorite is the “Big O Sandwich” that comes with three tenders in a brioche bun topped with slaw, homemade pickles, and a house sauce. Bred’s also lets you choose your level of heat, ranging from “Wimpy” to “Double Dare!” You can find Bred’s weekly food truck schedule on their website.
Bred’s Nashville Hot Chicken
$$ Food Trucks, Halal
562-852-5333
2. Kiki’s Cuban Food Truck
Kiki’s Cuban food truck is a newer food truck in North Orange County, but their recipes are not! These family recipes have been around for generations and it definitely shows in their food. From their Cuban sandwiches to their Ropa Vieja, you can really taste the love being poured into them. We recommend the Cuban Pork Sandwich featuring their famous pork which is marinated for hours before being served on a toasted roll. You can find Kiki’s schedule posted on their social media.
Kiki’s Cuban Food Truck
$$ Cuban, Sandwiches
714-804-3102
1. Los Reyes del Elote Asado
Food trucks in Orange County have been around for decades, including the pioneers ran by immigrant families who have dedicated their lives to bringing homestyle food to their neighborhoods. One of those pioneers, Los Reyes del Elote Asado, has been cooking in the city of Santa Ana for the last 16 years. Their name translates to The Kings of Roasted Corn, offering dishes like tacos, mulitas, mole, and of course, street corn. We recommend the shrimp taco, mulita with carne asada (marinated steak), and their famous grilled corn in a cup. Make sure to get a peek inside the food truck window to see the owner making the tortillas from scratch!