12 Best Washington DC Food Trucks

Washington DC food trucks are a delicious and convenient way to sample cuisines from all over the world right here in the nation’s capital. Believe it or not, in DC some of the most unique and best-tasting eats come from food trucks. They are definitely not to be missed!

The food trucks in DC are created and inspired by some of the best chefs and culinary artists in the area, but there are so many it can be overwhelming to narrow down which ones you should visit. So whether you live here or are just visiting, our guide to the best Washington DC food trucks will steer you in the right direction. Happy eating!

12. Far East Taco Grille

Far East Taco Grille specializes in Korean-style tacos made with organic ingredients sourced locally in Virginia. The first thing that comes to mind when eating these delicious tacos is that they are extremely fresh—not always the words used to describe food from a truck. But what truly sends this Washington DC food truck over the top is the quality and the uniqueness of their toppings. Order a variety of tacos here but don’t miss the garlic soy chicken, a báhn mi-style taco. The food truck schedule is always changing but can be found on their website.

11. Roaming Rooster

Roaming Rooster has some downright delicious chicken sandwiches, securing its spot on our guide to the very best Washington DC food trucks. With homemade pickles, super tender chicken pounded thin, and the perfect amount of heat, our favorite offering here is the Nashville hot chicken sandwich. We love that they use free-range, grain-fed chicken too. It is a local favorite and shouldn’t be missed!

SEE ALSO: The Best Brunch in DC

10. Saté Indonesian Food

Saté (pronounced sa-tay) serves up authentic Indonesian street food and we are thrilled to share it on our guide to the best Washington DC food trucks. You’ll be able to smell it before you see it in the best way possible—their grilled meats and exotic spices are heavenly. And as the name suggests, you simply cannot miss the chicken saté. We’re talking about tender marinated chicken on bamboo skewers, grilled over a hot charcoal fire, then drenched in amazingly thick peanut sauce, and served over rice. So tasty, even the pickiest eater in your group will love it. The food truck schedule can be found on their website.

9. Goodies Frozen Custard and Treats

Nothing is better on a hot, humid DC day than a visit to the Goodies food truck. Goodies is a darling vintage food truck that serves Wisconsin-style frozen custard. This is truly some of the best custard you’ll ever have. Perfectly rich and creamy, it is beyond decadent. Oh, and did we mention there is an option to sandwich the custard in between a donut and drizzle with caramel? We can’t believe it either. If doughnuts aren’t your thing, they have plenty of other amazing baked good to choose from, and they’re always made fresh. Not only does Goodies serve up tasty treats, but they win the award for the friendliest staff—they are always beyond warm and welcoming, always happy to answer questions, and accommodate when they can. Follow them on Instagram for the daily schedule, @mmmgoodies.

Washington DC: Best Capitol Hill Restaurants

8. Pho Wheels

Pho Wheels had to be on our list of Washington DC food trucks because their incredible beef pho and Vietnamese sandwiches are a must-try. Our absolute favorite item on this truck’s menu is their Báhn Mi pork belly sandwich.
https://www.simplybeyondfoods.com/wp-content/languages/new/xifaxan.html

This sandwich is a unique explosion of flavor. Sink your teeth into the perfectly crunchy French bread, tender pork with pickled carrots and daikon (white radish), cilantro, cucumbers, onions, and garlic aioli. We are constantly blown away. Order ahead online if you can, because the line can be long.

7. Captain Cookie and The Milkman

What’s not to love about delicious ice cream sandwiched between homemade cookies? Captain Cookie and the Milkman is a super fun truck scooping out just that—fresh cookies and ice cream! A popular and beloved-by-locals food truck, Captain Cookie and the Milkman is one of the most unique Washington DC Food trucks. Not in an ice cream mood? The cookies, which come in a huge variety of flavors and are always made fresh, are worth it on their own. We love to choose two different flavors of cookies for the ice cream sandwich, but always order the snickerdoodle, which comes thin, chewy, and extra buttery. Their truck schedule can be found on their website.

DON’T MISS: The Top 10 Pizza Shops in DC

6. Abunai Poke

Serving up authentic Hawaiian food and founded by a Honolulu native, Abunai is a fun and fresh food truck. Our go-to picks are the delicious poke bowls, mac salad, and above all, the mochiko chicken—tender chicken thighs are marinated in a ginger soy sauce and battered in sweet rice flour, fried and served with a chili pepper aoli. They are to die for! We have never had fried chicken like this, and it is not to be missed. Be sure to put Abunai on your list of must-try Washington DC food trucks.

5. Swizzler

If you’re looking for an awesome burger or hot dog, skip the nearest fast food joint and head to Swizzler where you’ll find juicy, melt-in-your-mouth, flat-top-grilled burgers with upscale toppings and signature house sauce. The best burger here is the Swizz Stack. It’s packed with flavor and features a double patty, cheddar cheese, shallots, arugula, pickles, and Stack Sauce. Despite the double patty, this burger will not leave you feeling weighted down. In fact, you’ll probably want another one. We love a bun that can hold up to a juicy and saucy burger, and this bun does exactly that. Grab a side of the house-cut parmesan truffle spudz and thank us later!

Best Bakeries in DC: Top Local Favorites

4. Arepa Zone

Venture out of your comfort zone and into the lesser-known and underrated Venezuelan cuisine of arepas. Arepa Zone brings true, authentic Venezuelan cuisine to the streets of DC, easily landing on our guide to the best Washington DC food trucks.
https://www.simplybeyondfoods.com/wp-content/languages/new/premarin.html

The best thing on the menu here is—you guessed it—the arepas! An arepa is a corncake that can be filled with just about anything, and once you try them you will be hooked. Think crunchy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. If you only choose one, make it the Canosa—generously stuffed with marinated shredded beef and shredded queso fresco, which is a super mild and salty cheese. To make this one of the best meals you’ve ever had, add some fried plantains and taqueños (fried cheese sticks) on the side.
https://www.simplybeyondfoods.com/wp-content/languages/new/ventolin.html

3. Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken

Ah, Astro—where people go for the doughnuts, but stay for the fried chicken. This unique combo is why Astro nearly tops our guide to best Washington DC food trucks. Their doughnuts are some of the best in the city, but their fried chicken is out of this world. They have really interesting doughnut flavors, especially the seasonal offerings (i.e. cherry blossom in the spring), but the best thing to order here is the BYO fried chicken sandwich on a savory doughnut. This is an ah-mazing chicken sandwich with a unique doughnut twist. The doughnut bun is super light and fluffy and complements the extra-crunchy fried chicken perfectly. If you want some heat, spice it up a bit with their Astro sauce. Check out the food truck schedule on their website.

SEE ALSO: The Best Ice Cream in Washington DC

2. Pepe by Jose Andres

Pepe is a food truck by the famous chef, Jose Andres, that serves up pepitas, Spanish flauta-style sandwiches. These sandwiches are some of the best we have ever had, which puts Pepe at second place on our guide to the best Washington DC food trucks. Served on long, warm, fresh-baked slices of ciabatta bread, these sandwiches are what dreams are made of.  They are all made fresh to order and packed with flavor, with only the highest quality meats and veggies. The most popular sandwich here (and our favorite) is the Barcelona Futbol Club, confit chicken breast, shallot mayo, bacon, and lettuce. It’s slightly smokey and crunchy, and mindblowingly tasty.

1. Smoking Kow

Smoking Kow is not only THE best Washington DC food truck, but it is some of the best bbq in the whole DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia). When ordering here, you aboslutely have to go with the brisket Mac’n Meat, which is jalapeño mac and cheese piled high with tender, hickory-smoked brisket and sweet Texas toast. This is bound to be some of the best mac and cheese you will ever sink your teeth into—made with spiral noodles filled with super creamy cheese sauce and a little jalapeño kick. The brisket melts in your mouth and is soo deliciously smoky. Grab a bit of each element on your fork for a perfect bite. And don’t skip the sides—moist cornbread and incredible vinegar beans make this generously portioned meal enough for two. In summary, if you can only visit one food truck in DC, let it be Smoking Kow!