Food trucks are nothing new to the Bay Area. Loncheras have been around for a long time, but the popularity of these mobile food vendors exploded when in 2010, Off The Grid held its first food truck festival at Fort Mason, combining live music, alcohol, and of course, food trucks. Nearly a decade later, mobile food vendors' popularity has sky-rocketed. Now, there are fifteen Off The Grid "markets" all over the Bay Area, each facilitating weekly gatherings of over 100 unique food trucks, not to mention permanent pop-ups like Soma StrEat Food Park and Spark Social SF.
Variety is the spice of life, and the Bay Area food truck scene is full of just that. The abundant list of options includes American, South American, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, and Mediterranean, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Here's just a few of our favorite "Luxe Loncheras" you have to try. Click the name of each truck to find out their schedules and up-to-date location info.
What to expect: Nutrients-rich Açaí bowls, smoothies, and juices made from fresh and organic ingredients.
What to try: Original Gangster, Beast Mode
What to expect: Traditional Indian dishes and flavors with a fusion twist. Organic, natural ingredients including Halal meats, fresh & locally sourced produce.
What to try: Tikka Masala Burrito, Deconstructed Samosas
What to expect: "West Coast Style" frozen custard, with a diverse selection of flavors. Some of the more novel flavors - Saikyo Miso, Earl Grey Tea, and Salt & Pepper Potato Chips.
What to try: Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Avocado, Maple Butter
What to expect: Delicious KoJa (Korean-Japanese) sandwiches built on crispy rice garlic buns, specialty fries, and desserts.
What to try: Short Rib KoJa, Kamikaze Fries, Oreo Mochimisu
What to expect: Delicious, hearty, deli-style sandwiches. Made with love, aimed to captivate all sandwich fans.
What to try: Tony's BBQ Tri-Tip, Mike's Special
What to expect: Seasonal, gourmet, fusion sliders that pack a monster punch, without the gourmet price tag.
What to try: KTM Sliders, Sweet Potato Fries
What to expect: Mexican burrito/taco/quesadilla meets Korean short-rib/spicy pork/kimchi fried rice; made from original, in-house recipes.
What to try: Short Rib Burrito, Dirty Dog
What to expect: Mobile gourmet rotisserie-style food; healthy and sustainable ingredients combined with family recipes into delicious, wholesome food on the go.
What to try: Rotisserie Chicken, Porchetta Sandwich
What to expect: Mouthwatering Filipino Mexican fusion food, based on a contemporary spin on sisig - a Filipino dish with scrumptious sizzled pork. There are chicken and tofu alternatives too!
What to try: California Sisig Burrito, Tosilog Burrito
What to expect: Tasty traditional Middle Eastern cuisine like falafel, shawarma, and gyros. Authentic recipes, Halal meats, and generous portions makes this food truck a must-try!
What to try: Shrimp Falafel Sandwich, Shish Kebab Sandwich
What to expect: One of many cash-only Loncheras, serving some of the tastiest and heftiest Mexican street food in the East Bay. Despite efficient staff, Tacos Mi Rancho's popularity means there's almost always a line!
What to try: 15-inch Super Burrito, Super Taco
What to expect: Another cash-only Loncheras, serving traditional Mexican comfort eats. The food is exceptional, the staff is friendly and there are parking spaces as well as seating for patrons!
What to try: Burrito Con Huevo y Chorizo, Camarón Burrito
What to expect: A "Great Culinary Leap Forward", inspired by traditional Asian street foods. Taking the essences - bold, spicy, unique, fast, and delicious - steaming and baking them into their famous "baos".
What to try: Tender Pork Belly Bao, Coca-Cola Braised Pork Bao
Written by Ben Ng
Hungry for more? Check out the Food & Drink events happening this week!
