23 Best Food Trucks in San Diego, CA in 2024
With its year-round sunshine and festive beachside vibes, San Diego is a perfect place to dine outdoors, so it’s no surprise that food trucks are a booming business. But with so many trying to cash in on that picture-perfect setup, the variety might make your head spin, and it can be pretty tricky to narrow down which San Diego food trucks are most worth your stop. So which San Diego food trucks rise to the top?
To answer that question, we’ve surveyed dozens of food trucks with offerings from gourmet hot dogs to poke bowls. The diverse San Diego food truck scene has something for everyone, and we’re sure that one of these happening spots will earn your vote for the title of best food truck in San Diego.
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The 23 Most Popular Food Trucks in San Diego, CA
1. The Lime Truck
This first of our top San Diego food truck picks has some pretty impressive credentials: winners of season two of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race,” the Irvine-based Lime Truck was founded in 2010 and has since continued to expand its fleet of food trucks with a goal of operating 100 trucks by 2025. Crafting fusion street food with cultural influences as diverse as the state it calls home, it’s a perennial favorite and easily one of the most popular food trucks in San Diego.
What to Order
Those in the know recommend the ahi tacos with a side of elote (Mexican corn on the cob slathered with cheese, spices and mayonnaise), and you would do well to wash it all down with this San Diego food truck’s blueberry lemonade.
The Lime Truck | Location Varies | $$
2. The Rush Coffee
Billed as a full-service coffee shop on the go, The Rush Coffee has locations all over San Diego. Check the truck locator on the website for all your commute coffee needs.
What to Order
Don’t miss the iced chai or espresso, and be sure to see what fresh pastries the truck has on offer during your visit for a quick, on-the-go breakfast in San Diego. Whatever the offerings of the day, customers call them flaky, fresh and delicious — if you luck out, you might even get to sample its well-loved strawberry cheese danish.
The Rush Coffee | Multiple Locations | $
3. Born in Brooklyn
True to its name, Born in Brooklyn brings the flavors of the East Coast to the West Coast with classic New York dishes. The family business, created by son Scott to bring the flavors of his mother Leslie’s Brooklyn-based catering company to the West Coast, serves up burgers, gourmet grilled cheese and tater tots.
What to Order
Try the Buffalo chicken tots and Dirty Bird grilled cheese, and if you still have room for dessert, you can’t go wrong with the deep-fried Oreos. Keep track of where you can catch the truck on its website.
Born in Brooklyn | Location Varies | $
4. Taco Picasso
The taco truck is a classic fixture at most San Diego events, and if you’re one of the many who’s looking for a San Diego food truck to bring a south-of-the-border flair to your gathering, Taco Picasso’s catering might be just the thing.
What to Order
Taco Picasso stocks all the classics, but it’s always experimenting, too, so you could go either way. Stick with the old reliable carne asada, or experiment with one of its inventive new flavors, like Korean barbecue.
Taco Picasso | 4637 Market St., San Diego, CA 92102 | $
5. The San Diego Taco Truck
Taco food trucks are a common sight in San Diego, but The San Diego Taco Truck continually ranks among the best. This eye-popping pink San Diego food truck serves up classic street tacos at super affordable prices in all of the best-loved flavors.
What to Order
You can’t go wrong with any of this San Diego food truck’s generously-portioned tacos, but the tripas (intestine) and al pastor tacos are standouts.
The San Diego Taco Truck | 6959 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92111 | $
6. Full Metal Burgers
With two brick-and-mortar locations in North County, this punk-rock burger joint is more than a food truck. Cheeky burger titles like “Rest In Pesto (R.I.P.)” or “Legion of Shrooms” play with Full Metal Burgers’ metal aesthetic. You can be certain that its “head-banging burgers” are just as intense.
What to Order
The aforementioned “Rest in Pesto (R.I.P.)” burger is a sure hit, combining the Italian flavors of caprese (tomato and mozzarella) and pesto with a flavorful quarter-pound beef patty.
Full Metal Burgers | Location Varies | $$
7. Urbn Catering
If you’re looking for food truck catering for your next event in San Diego, Urbn Catering has you covered. Urbn Catering’s pizza truck will bring the wood-fired pizza to you and your guests, and its customizable pies are sure to be a hit with your guests.
What to Order
If you're lucky enough to have Urbn Catering at your event, then whichever pizza tickles your fancy is sure to make your tastebuds sing. After all, pizza is such a personal choice!
Urbn Catering | Upon Request | $
8. Zs Buddies Sushi & Ramen
Founded in Portland, Zs Buddies Sushi & Ramen expanded to San Diego in 2018 and has been supplying San Diegans with Japanese-inspired eats on the go ever since. In the SoCal tradition of finding a way to turn any dish into a wrap, this San Diego food truck made a name for itself with the sushi burrito — a hefty handheld sushi roll packed with fish and vegetables. In the words of one Yelp reviewer, “maybe it’s time you had a sushi roll the size of your face.”
What to Order
The sushi burrito, obviously. For a very local take, opt for the California sushi burrito, which uses avocado, vegetables and imitation crab in place of fish. If you’re in the mood for something that sticks to the ribs a little more, try the chicken katsudon, a classic Japanese comfort food made of fried chicken and egg atop a generous portion of white rice.
Zs Buddies Sushi & Ramen | Location Varies | $$
9. Dang Brother Pizza
How often are you going to get the chance to eat pizza made in a fire truck? Dang Brother Pizza has to be one of the most unique food trucks in San Diego, and according to its loyal fans, it’s as delicious as it is novel. Retrofit an imported Italian pizza oven into a vintage fire truck, and you’re bound to end up with something great.
What to Order
It’s hard to choose just one of Dang Brother Pizza’s thin-crust Neopolitan pizzas, but if you must, this San Diego food truck’s classic margherita pizza will never steer you wrong.
Dang Brother Pizza | Location Varies | $
10. Funky Frenchie
As the website suggests, it’s time to “mosey on down to funky town!” The food concept at Funky Frenchie is laser-focused on the retro 80s, 90s and noughties pop culture, bringing an off-the-chain experience with amazing food and portions that’ll throw the size of your eyes and belly deeply into question.
What to Order
Specializing in breakfast and brunch, whether you prefer sweet or savory, you’ll have your pick of the best. Tiramisu toast will tickle the tastebuds of anybody who wants this classic Italian dessert for breakfast. Looking for a savory brunch bite (or three), go for Da Bomb — a croissant with crispy hash brown patties, cheese, bacon, two eggs in any style, roasted tomatoes and pickled onions.
Funky Frenchie | 955 Harbor Island Drive, Ste. 200, San Diego, CA 92101 | $$
11. Kiko’s Place Seafood
For seafood lovers looking for a food truck near Downtown San Diego, Kiko’s Place Seafood is just the spot. Founded in brick-and-mortar form in Baja California in 1983, Kiko’s Place’s enduring passion for providing only the highest-quality Mexican seafood (mariscos) has made it one of the most popular mariscos food trucks in San Diego. Those who brave the wait will be rewarded with delicious ceviche, fish tacos and the warm service of staff who are passionate about bringing San Diego the freshest and tastiest seafood they can.
What to Order
If just one kind of seafood isn’t enough, opt for the mixed ceviche: you’ll get the fresh flavors of fish, shrimp and vegetables all in one.
Kiko’s Place Seafood | Multiple Locations | $$
12. Biersal
German street food isn’t what you might expect when looking from a San Diego food truck, but that’s exactly what chef Matt Schooner wants to bring to the scene via Biersal, with classics like pretzels, bratwurst and schnitzel.
What to Order:
For a true German street food experience, stroll around while snacking on one (or many) of this San Diego food truck’s bratwursts — there’s a vegetarian version, too.
Biersal | Location Varies | $$
13. The Shawarma Guys
One of the most talked-about food trucks in San Diego, The Shawarma Guys translated its popularity into Yelp’s 2020 Restaurant of the Year award and an appearance on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”
What to Order
This San Diego food truck’s byline is “home of the wagyu” and for good reason: served atop saffron rice, the wagyu beef shawarma elegantly combines Mediterranean classics with happening trends. Don’t miss it on your visit.
The Shawarma Guys | 3012 Grape St., San Diego, CA 92102 | $$
14. Leilani’s
For a taste of the island life, San Diego food truck Leilani’s serves hearty Hawaiian plate lunches — an island take on the bento, with meat, rice and various sides. But Leilani is hardly a one-trick pony: additional menu offerings range from breakfast sandwiches to spam musubi, a sushi-esque rice ball concoction wrapped in nori and filled with spam.
What to Order
The Aloha plate, a classic Hawaiian plate lunch served with a choice of teriyaki chicken, beef or Kalua pork.
Leilani’s | Location Varies | $$
15. Birria El Rey
Named for birria, a fragrant, slow-cooked meat stew hailing from the Mexican state of Jalisco, this San Diego food truck shines as a purveyor of birria tacos. It even earned a shoutout on the small screen with a Best Tacos award from the television program “United Plates of America.” If you need more cheese in your life, Birria El Ray will also wrap just about anything from birria to tacos in a quesadilla.
What to Order
Those unable to decide between a quesadilla and a taco need not: this San Diego food truck solves the dilemma with the quesotaco, wrapping meat in a crispy, gooey quesadilla. It’s as mind-blowing as it sounds. On the side, consomme (beef broth) and cilantro makes a light, yet satisfying addition to your meal.
Birria El Rey | 1015 25th St., San Diego, CA 92102 | $
16. Salt + Lime
The discerning readers of the “San Diego Reader” awarded San Diego food truck Salt + Lime the honor of the magazine’s Best Traditional Taco award. In a city stuffed to the gills with taco shops, you would be hard-pressed to go wrong getting your tacos at a place like that.
What to Order
La Nopalita — a tostada made with nopal (cactus fruit).
Salt and Lime | Location Varies | $$
17. Rice or Death
Rice as rebellion: this is the rather lofty concept behind Rice or Death, a San Diego Food truck dealing in inventive rice bowls. With huge portions and names inspired by subcultures from punk to ska, it’s taken to the streets offering rice bowls with bite. If thirty-two ounces of rice, meat, and mixins isn’t enough for you, Rice or Death also offers all of its bowls in burrito form.
What to Order
The Stay Gold bowl, topped with crispy karaage (Japanese fried chicken), scrambled eggs and more is a punk approximation of the classic Japanese comfort food katsudon.
Rice Or Death | Location Varies | $$
18. Hangry Louie’s
Hangry is the opposite of what you’ll be if you catch San Diego food truck Hangry Louie’s at one of its regular rotating locations. A perennial favorite at farmers markets and street fairs, this truck offers a lineup of burgers, fries, burritos and bowls. There really is nothing like a mound of fries slathered in sauce and topped with beef to take the edge off your hanger.
What to Order
Louie’s most beloved and unique dish is the lamb burrito, and it offers lamb in burger form, too. And if you’re around at breakfast, the breakfast burger — topped with egg and a heaping portion of tater tots — is as hefty and delicious as any of Louie’s lunchtime offerings.
Hangry Louie’s | Location Varies | $$
19. Churro Addict
Dessert is not the most common food truck offering, so this is where Churro Addict corners the market. Fresh, hot churros are the name of the game, used in everything from sundaes to nachos. There’s no better San Diego food truck to satisfy a sweet tooth.
What to Order
While Churro Addict’s more extravagant creations are just as delectable, there’s something satisfying about the light, crispy dough and simple flavors of the classic churros at this San Diego food truck. They’re sold in packs of five to share — or, of course, to wolf down yourself before anyone else is the wiser.
Churro Addict | Location Varies | $
20. Zoe’s Place
Taking Mexican and New Mexican favorites and adding his own spin on them, Aaron Valenzuela is known by many as the “Seafood king of the San Diego Gaslamp district”, making Zoe’s Place a must-visit San Diego food truck for anybody with a love for ocean flavors.
What to Order
The albondigas soup is definitely worth a try; originally his grandmother’s recipe, Aaron adds mind and avocado, along with an oversized meatball that sits in the broth.
Zoe’s Place | 9990 Alesmith Court, Ste. 1, San Diego, CA 92126 | $$
21. Lia’s Lumpia
Filling an often-ignored niche on the San Diego food scene, Lia’s Lumpia serves Filipino egg rolls and more from both its truck and a new brick-and-mortar location in Barrio Logan. The brainchild of owner Benelia Hunter, this venerable San Diego food truck has gotten its dues from the foodie internet, with plenty of media features, most notably an appearance on Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race: Holiday Hustle.”
What to Order:
At Lia’s Lumpia, you’ll find countless inventive flavors of lumpia beyond the classic pork and veggie. That said, the pork belly ramen lumpia always gets rave reviews.
Lia’s Lumpia | Location Varies | $
22. Underdog
Hot dogs aren’t what springs to mind when you think of vegan food, but Underdog argues they should be. Its plant-based hot dogs, corn dogs and fries make it one of the best food trucks in San Diego for vegan diners — but it’s got a lot to offer everyone else, too, elevating the humble hot dog to meatless gourmet heights.
What to Order
The Goblin’s Club brings the recent Korean fad for corn dogs stateside; you can order a side of kimchi if it’s not enough flavor for you. Spice is always a good choice at Underdog, so its jalapeño popper hot dog — which infuses its classic corn dog batter with cheddar and jalapeño — is also a solid bet.
Underdog | Location Varies | $$
23. Mariscos Mi Gusto Es
There is no shortage of popular Mexican or seafood-centric food trucks in San Diego, but Mariscos Mi Gusto Es stands out for authenticity and freshness at its location near Downtown San Diego.
What to Order
There’s are few San Diego food truck offerings more classic than the fish taco, and Mariscos Mi Gusto Es elevates its take with garlic butter. Tacos made with harder-to-find Baja specialties like marlin are equally worth your lunch money.
Mariscos Mi Gusto Es | 4425 Home Ave., San Diego, CA 92105 | $
Find the Best San Diego Foods
Whether you're a San Diegan local or are simply visiting, there are few better ways to fully explore its culinary scene than by taking food tours in San Diego. Guided by professionals in the know, these tours will guide you through the City in Motion's top culinary establishments, lesser-known hidden gems and, of course, the many incredible food trucks that serve as a testament to the sheer gourmet variety that makes San Diego such a top culinary destination.
With so many options to choose from, whether you’re in search of new and innovative takes on the classic San Diego taco truck or in need of a decent breakfast and even better cup of joe on your morning commute, food trucks in San Diego are as varied as their food is delicious. And it doesn’t matter whether you live in the city or are simply visiting, by adding a few of these amazing San Diego food trucks to your hit list, you’re sure to broaden your culinary horizons in the most delicious way possible.
For even more ways to explore San Diego and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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