Food trucks have propelled a revolution in street-side eats, bringing gourmet creations and classic comforts to practically every curb. This mode of mobile dining is perfect for foodie families who want to explore a world of cuisines right in the city—Korean tacos, Morrocan morsels, and Venezuelan fruit are just a sample of the cosmopolitan offerings that complement a variety of classic grilled cheeses and frozen sweets. Just as adults plot out midtown lunches, families can map food truck foraging quests with Twitter and Facebook. Though we can’t promise short wait times at popular stations, the trucks’ funky designs, playful music, and tasty offerings will make the lines more than bearable. Below, the best family-friendly NYC food trucks, in no particular order:
ULTIMATE SUMMER SAMMIES
Coolhaus
Coolhaus adds a dose of DIY quirk to the classic ice cream sandwich with 14 different cookies and over 50 ice cream flavors (offered rotationally). Create your own signature combo or try staff recommendations like The Breakfast Sammie, with maple infused cookies and the truck’s famous candied bacon ice cream. eatcoolhaus.com
ICONIC NYC ON ICE
Big Gay Ice Cream Truck
Arguably one of the most famous of all NYC food trucks, BGIC turns traditional soft serve on its head with outrageous toppings like coconut flakes and Trix cereal. For a taste of Thanksgiving in the summer, try the Gobbler: vanilla soft serve paired with gooey pumpkin butter, rich maple syrup, and pie pieces. biggayicecream.com
CHEESY CHAMPS
Milk Truck
At the Milk Truck, chefs use imagination and quality ingredients to recreate a childhood fave: the grilled cheese. To help cultivate sophisticated little palates, the Milk Truck Classic adds upscale touches to familiar tastes, like aged Wisconsin gruyere on Pullman bread with sweet caramelized onions. milktrucknyc.com
SWEET TOOTH SANCTUARY
Wafels and Dinges
Who knew there are not one but two varieties of Belgian waffle? This food truck pairs authentic batter recipes with dinges (toppings) like Nutella, strawberries, and the infamous spekuloos cookie butter. For a savory twist, try the pulled pork topped with creamy coleslaw and sweet BBQ sauce. wafelsanddinges.com
EASTERN EDIBLES
Korilla BBQ
By packaging traditional Korean flavors into the beloved taco and burrito forms, Korilla entices even the least adventurous eaters while still satisfying die-hard Korean BBQ fans. Kids will love the cheesy Porkinator, with pulled pork, bacon fried rice, kimchi slaw, and Korean BBQ sauce. Tofu substitutions available. korillabbq.com
HEALTH FOOD HAVEN
The Cinnamon Snail
Perfect for the health-conscious family, The Cinnamon Snail offers a seasonal vegan menu that introduces meat alternatives that don’t sacrifice flavor. Start your kids’ days off right with the Standard American Riot: blue corn pancakes, maple syrup, scrambled tofu, tempeh, and greens. cinnamonsnail.com
PERSONAL PIZZA PALACE
Eddie’s Pizza
Calling all crust skippers: Toppings take center stage on this mobile oven’s super-thin pies. Select from regular or whole wheat crust, then pile on your favorite fixings or try pre-set flavor combos like the classic Margarita. Each personal pie comes in eight pieces, so the family can mix and match. eddiespizzany.com
BURGER BOSS
Frites ‘N’ Meats
This food truck brings the bistro experience to the streets, combining New York’s finest cheese, meat, and bread to make the fancy pants burger accessible for the youngest of patrons. Try a wagyu burger with cheddar cheese and applewood smoked bacon on a brioche bun—and don’t forget the double-fried Belgian fries! fritesnmeats.com
MASTERS OF MOROCCO
Bistro Truck
For a street-side taste of Morocco right in NYC, Bistro Truck offers everything from braised lamb over couscous to burgers on fresh baguette. The chicken pastille is a unique but safe bet for expanding horizons: eggs and almond baked in layers of flaky filo and seasoned with a variety of Moroccan herbs and spices. bistrotruck.com
PLANTAIN PARADISE
Patacon Pisao
Serving up authentic Venezuelan cuisine, this restaurant on wheels specializes in the patacón, also known as the green plantain—the fruit that looks like a banana but tastes like a potato. For an extra rich treat, try the carne mechada, succulent shredded beef served with ketchup, fried cheese, and special sauce. pataconpisaonyc.com
CORNY COMESTIBLES
Solber Pupusas
Take your kids on a trip to El Salvador at Solber Pupusas, which serves up the traditional El Salvadorian street food of grilled and stuffed corn flour patties. Fill a kid-friendly, pizza-style pupusa with cheese and pepperoni—and maybe even sneak in some spinach or zucchini. solberpupusas.com
MEXICAN MUNCHIES
Mexicue
Nothing spells summer cookout like the words “Mexican” and “barbecue.” Mexicue is the best of both worlds, blending Mexico’s spices with picnic favorites like ribs and brisket. Fledgling grillers will love the sweet flavors the smoked short rib taco, featuring sweet Memphismole, pickled onions, and cotija cheese. mexicue.com
GRECIAN GRUB
Souvlaki GR
Introduce your kids to the flavors of Greece with souvlaki, dubbed the hamburger of the country. Your kids will forget the bun and patty once they bite into the warm pita, charcoal-grilled meat, and creamy tzatziki. For a snack, replace ketchup with salty feta on fries. souvlakigr.com
EMPANADA EMPIRE
Nuchas
Gourmet goes hand-held at Nuchas, which explores the many renditions of the empanada. Homemade doughs enclose multicultural fillings, from Argentine beef to Indian curry. Sweet tooths will love the desert empanada, featuring granny smith apples, tart cranberries, juicy pears, and gooey Nutella. nuchas.com
TAIWANESE TEMPTATIONS
Bian Dang
This food truck brings a whole new meaning to lunchbox meals with its Taiwanese bentos. Chose from cult favorites like fried pork chop over rice and steamed pork buns. For young Asian food fans, the doughy dumplings are foolproof—and four per order means there’s plenty to share. biandangnyc.com
WHY STOP AT JUST ONE?
Every third Sunday in the summer, Prospect Park Alliance teams up with the NYC Food Truck Association to host a Food Truck Rally. 16 participating food trucks make their way to Grand Amy Plaza, serving up signature dishes to hungry crowds from 11am to 5pm. prospectpark.org/calendar/event/food-truck-rally
Hoping to stay in the city? Enjoy the offerings of the Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar alongside great shopping at the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market every second Sunday through October. The event has already brought the likes of Coolhaus and Milk Truck together—check the website for updates. hellskitchenfleamarket.com/home
Don’t worry if you can’t hit up the next rally or bazaar. Four or five food trucks line up every weekday from 11am to 3pm at Food Truck Court in the center of Battery Park City. The outdoor seating area makes for a perfect al fresco lunch experience in balmy weather. worldfinancialcenter.com/foodtrucks
Looking for more family-friendly eats? Check out “Dining With The Minis” at www.newyorkfamily.com.
