Wheelie Good Food
Small kitchens serving up big flavor
Words by Sommer Brugal Photos by Shelby Bella
On just about every corner in Austin sits a food truck, some just planting their roots, welcoming new faces, others, a long-time staple in the city’s bustling restaurant scene.
But what makes food trucks so appealing? Is it the approachable, relaxing environment? Perhaps it’s the intimate experience that only comes from speaking directly to an establishment’s owner? Either way, with options ranging from breakfast tacos to noodles to international flavors, one thing is certain. For East Austin, nothing represents the strong culture, diverse cuisine, and tight-knit community like a food truck.
Boteco
Brazilian food might be hard to come by in Austin, but for those craving yucca fries or feijoada, fear not. Every dish at this East 7th truck embodies authentic Brazilian flavors and flare. The menu ranges from small bites like coxinha, croquettes filled with chicken and cheese, to full dishes like picahna, a sirloin steak dish complete with rice and beans, yucca, and topped with a fried egg. {Read more…}
Taqueria La Sabrosita
Not far from the intersection of Airport Boulevard and 183 sits an unassuming yellow food trailer, owned 
by husband-and-wife duo, Camilo and Belen, serving made-to-order authentic Mexican dishes on home-made corn tortillas. Tacos de Fajita, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, is among the menu’s top items. Tacos de Tripa, or tripe tacos, are a strong runner-up, says Camilo. Not typically seen in a breakfast taco, the unique flavor and chewy, yet crunchy, texture support the applause. {Read more…}
Artessano
When Luis Carlos Quitian arrived in Austin, he and his wife couldn’t find Colombian food that tasted like home. So, they made their own tamales. And the rest, well, that’s Artessano. “The menu is simple and very Latin,” says Quitian, with Venezuelan arepas and dishes from Mexico, El Salvador, among others. Despite its influences, Luis Carlos states proudly that every ingredient is brought from Colombia. {Read more…}
Li’l Nonna’s
Though it’s hard to notice from the first mouthwatering bite, Li’l Nonna’s makes pizza that is vegan and 
gluten free. With a curated list of toppings including beets cured to taste like pepperoni – aka beeteroni – a smoky, textured tempeh reminiscent of a traditional meat topping, seitan Italian sausage, and a homemade vegan cheese that tastes just like the real thing, one won’t quite be able to put a finger on why vegan pizza has become a favorite. {Read more…}
Alley Cat
Follow the wrap-around porch to the backside of the Craftsman Bar and you’ll find an ally-side tiki paradise with wooden picnic tables and bamboo as a backdrop to island fare. A side project by Shane Stark, who runs Mongers Market + Kitchen, this low-profile Hawaiian soul food truck serves up poké, pork katsu sandwiches, and misoyaki butterfish along with Hawaiian plate lunches like huli huli chicken that come with the most delicious macaroni salad or kimchi. {Read more…}
Paperboy
Ryan Harms worked in the restaurant industry for many years before moving to Austin. But upon arrival, 
he wanted to add something fresh to the city’s breakfast scene. Enter Paperboy, with its simple, yet thoughtful and creative offerings. Ryan works with a number of Texan suppliers to acquire local, fresh ingredients to create an always-seasonal menu. Doing so enables Paperboy to provide guests with as much high quality flavors as possible. {Read more…}
Fave Food Trucks Turned Brick & Mortar
Chi’lantro BBQ
8201 Cross Park Dr.
Chi’lantro is home to the original kimchi fries — spicy and loaded with savory goodness! This Korean BBQ joint has options to choose from: salad, rice bowl, noodle bowl, tacos, or burritos with a choice of protein and packed with flavor.
La Barbecue
2017 E Cesar Chavez St.
As one of Austin’s top barbecue joints, La Barbecue does not disappoint. Owner, Leann has roots grafted deep into smoked meats coming from the Mueller family, Louie Mueller BBQ, that is, except these ribs are cooked low and slow.
Via 313
1802 E 6th St.
Via 313 brought Detroit-style pizza to Austin, and we’re hooked. The crispy cheese on the edge of their pizza makes whatever toppings in the middle taste that much better. Their brick-and-mortar locations serve thin-crust pizzas, too.
Dragonbeard Kitchen
8201 Cross Park Dr.
From Fresh Off the Truck to Dragonbeard Kitchen, this casual Asian-Hawaiian diner is located just off the beaten path serving up fresh and comfort cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But get there early because they close at 7pm.
Tony’s Jamaican Food
Tony’s Jamaican Food stands out in a crowd of restaurants and bars on the bustling East 11th Street, with its bright green with yellow trim truck and a similarly painted patio of picnic tables. The menu focuses on favorite Jamaican cuisines like the infamous jerk chicken, oxtails, and curry shrimp and can be paired with fried plantains or rice and peas. Empanadas, too, don the menu. {Read more…}
Curcuma
At Curcuma, chef and owner Rachel Musquiz begins every dish with a plant-based view of cooking and then layers on a helping of Ayurvedic principles and a sprinkle of style.
For many, having a list of “free-from” on the front of a menu is more of a cautionary tale than an invitation, regardless of dietary preferences. {Read more…}
Kerlin BBQ
“We use prime grade, Angus brisket. The only thing we put on our meat is salt and pepper… and patience.” According to owner Bill Kerlin, that’s all you need to cook award-winning brisket. Bill and his wife Amelis opened their truck in 2013. Since then, they’ve worked to stand out in Austin’s saturated BBQ market, choosing to cook their meat over wood-burning pits instead of gas or electric ones. Further distancing themselves from the rest, Bill says he and Amelis cook every piece of meat sold and admits, “We’re not about the long lines.” {Read more…}
Austin’s Mobile Barbecue Mecca
Micklethwait Craft Meats
Run by an Austinite, this gem of a trailer provides top-notch brisket, ribs, and pork, but the sausage is what really shines.
BBQ Revolution
While this truck was shuttered for a while, this slow-smoked vegan barbecue eatery has recently reopened to the relief of the neighborhood.
J. Leonardi’s
This trailer is run by an East Austin original. The “J” in the name stands for Jerome who learned to smoke meat from his uncle where he was taught to served it up family style.
Scotty’s Barbecue
Although Texas barbecue technically doesn’t need sauce, slather this meat in the sweet, smoky, and tangy Dr. Pepper sauce.
Rollin Smoke BBQ
The best part about this trailer is that it serves up late night barbecue for those after-hour cravings.
Dee Dee
Lakana Trubiana was born in Isan, a city in the northeastern region of Thailand. Raised in a family of rice farmers, Lakana, co-owner of Dee Dee, learned to cook by helping her mother and grandmother make food to sell at the market. “Everything we serve is what [Lakana] grew up making,” says husband and co-owner Justin Trubiana. The two met while he was traveling in South East Asia. {Read more…}
Baton Creole
Happy hour lovers should learn to occasionally drift into the backyards of some of their favorite watering 
holes, because behind Shangri-La is a bubblegum pink Cajun food trailer. Owner Lynzy Moran herself comes from Houma, Louisiana, where she learned that a good meal starts with a dark roux and laissez les bon temps rouler. These two ingredients can be found in each dish from her creole-style crawfish etouffee pricked with bay leaves and flaky fried chicken that is a delight even on the hottest of days. {Read more…}
