Aimee BlumeEvansville Courier & Press
EVANSVILLE − Eighty-three. That's how many food trucks will be active in the Tri-State area this summer with (probably) more yet to be announced.
You'll find them at area farmers markets, food truck events and all kinds of public happenings, parked in neighborhoods, at breweries and other businesses, and catering at private parties.
We have an abundance of trucks vending barbecue and Mexican food and others with goodies as exotic as Halal Mediterranean lamb plates, Salvadoran pupusas, Korean Bi Bim Bap rice bowls, hand-made frozen fruit and cream pops, and fresh waffles with deluxe toppings. We've linked to Facebook pages so you can easily pop over to check on location, days and times of service.
More: Evansville-area food news: 7 super food happenings for you this week
1. 2 Bud’s BBQ
Find this barbecue truck serving up pulled pork, chicken and brisket in creations from simple sandwiches to loaded baked potatoes and nachos with all your favorite sides. The menu also sometimes features chicken wings, ribs and more goodies.
2. Arctic Avalanche
This cool truck vends a rotating selection of Bliss Artisan Ice Cream, our own local ice cream brand that was born in New Harmony, grew up in Henderson, Ky. and has since settled in Tell City. The truck also offers slushies and other drinks.
3. Acropolis Express
In Evansville, Henderson and small towns all around the area, the Acropolis Express is setting up to serve a variety of creative gyro sandwiches, falafel, Greek salads and hummus. The Acropolis crew has experience with catering for hundreds, so the line always moves quickly at the Acropolis truck!
4. Barrel House Always Somethin Different
You never know what you're going to find at this truck, which changes it up depending on the event. Look for anything from pizza to sandwiches, seafood boils, nachos, burgers and fries, fried chicken, decorated doughnuts or... something different.
5. Bayou Boys Concessions
Stop at this new Cajun food truck for a tasty of the Bayou. Look for authentic jambalaya, seafood boils, sandwiches, flavored fresh lemonades, sno-balls and more.
6. BB’s Wheel’n and Grill’n
Based in Princeton, this new truck plans to come to Vanderburgh County later this summer. On the menu are wagyu beef smash burgers including a Wisconsin-style burger topped with butter, a New-Mexican style burger with fire-roasted green chilies, and a Montana nut burger with a peanut-and-mayonnaise sauce. Look also for sugar-free options in cotton candy and lemon shake-ups.
7. BBQ Hawgs and Dawgs
This Henderson, Ky. truck specializes in, you guessed it, barbecue and hot dogs. Stop for pulled pork, chicken, ribs, sandwiches and all your favorite barbecue sides--or a jumbo all-beef hot dog or Polish sausage with toppings from nacho cheese to peppers and onions.
More: Hot dog or barbecue? Here are the facts about new truck with both
8. Beer Bones BBQ
Based in Mount Carmel, Ill., Beer Bones BBQ heads our way often, with a menu that might include barbecue specialties from Texas-style brisket to pulled chicken, Memphis-style pulled pork, customizable loaded baked potatoes, smoked sausage and more.
9. Big Wally’s BBQ
Here's another local truck to stop at for all your favorite barbecue dishes. Grab a pulled pork sandwich, nachos, and many other specialties from pork chop sandwiches to ribs, brisket, and chicken.
More: Big Wally's barbecue truck offers secret recipe rub, sauce
10. Ben’s Soft Pretzles
The mobile arm of Ben's Soft Pretzels inside Eastland Mall, this truck offers a variety flavored soft pretzels and dipping sauces to accompany them.
11. Bowlify Superfoods
The Bowlify truck will be on the road sometime in the summer of 2023, serving up acai and other fruit sorbet bowls topped with fresh fruit, nuts, granola, seeds, nut butters and more.
12. Brisket Biscuit
Breakfast all day is the game at this truck, which serves up hearty sandwiches such as (you guessed it) a big biscuit filled with smoked brisket, chipotle cheese and egg; biscuits and gravy; the Egg'N'Cheesesteak with chopped sirloin, grilled onion, peppers and scrambled egg with cheese on a crisp Philly roll; a breakfast bowl with grilled onions and peppers, white gravy, eggs and either brisket or Italian sausage.
13. Burrito Express
Find all your favorite street taco meats and some unusual varieties at this authentic Mexican truck in Henderson. Look for specials such as adobada, pork marinated in a spicy sauce before searing; and lomo, lean pork braised in an achiote marinade and sliced. Also on the menu are fried “golden tacos,” birria tacos with cheese and more.
14. Caffeine Machine
The Caffeine Machine is a new coffee truck offering hot or iced lattes, espresso with cola, specialty coffees, tea and hot chocolate. Customers may also put together their own custom drink.
15. The Cheese Queen Gourmet Grilled Cheese
It’s your childhood favorite all grown-up — grilled cheese gourmet style with spicy ghost pepper jack, muenster, mozzarella and more cheeses to choose from. Toppings include bacon, homemade pesto, guacamole, grilled chicken, tomato and jalapeños. Signature sandwiches include burgers chicken hoagies and an ultimate BLT.
16. Chef Bruce Li
Chef Li offers Japanese, Chinese and Korean specialties including sweet and spicy Szechuan dumplings; Bang Bang-style shrimp; Korean rice bowls topped with kimchi, meat and egg; teriyaki and Japanese Hibachi entrees.
17. Chino Taco
Chino Taco serves your favorite Chinese restaurant dishes three ways: with rice, in a crunchy taco shell or wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. Entrees include chicken tacos or burritos, Szechwan beef, sweet and sour chicken and much more. Meals come with Crab Rangoon.
18. Cinia’s Salvadorian Kitchen
Stop at Cinia’s for a traditional taste of El Salvador. Enjoy pupusas, fried yuca (like a potato, but potato-ier) with slow-cooked pork, and empanadas with potato or meat fillings. Entrees are served with a mild fresh tomato sauce and cabbage slaw with carrots and a touch of oregano.
More: Find out more about Cinia's Salvadorian Kitchen, Evansville's newest food truck
19. Cochs Cones
Located north of town across Old Petersburg Road from The Hornet's Nest, this truck offers hand-dipped ice cream in traditional and creative flavors, waffle cones, shakes and sundaes, shaved ice and more.
20. Cousins Maine Lobster
A Cousins Maine Lobster truck--from the Nashville area or Birmingham, Ala.-- makes several trips to Evansville each year to visit the Myriad Brewing Company, and people line up in droves to grab a lobster roll, lobster grilled cheese, chowder and more, all made with real Maine lobster.
21. Crazy Daisy's
There are all kinds of crazy-good sandwiches at this truck. Try a Crazy Steak and Cheese with toppings of your choice—go Philly-style with peppers and onions or have it more like a po’ boy with lettuce, tomato and mayo. Enjoy a hot ham and cheese, burger with toppings, nachos and more.
22. Dawgs on the Ohio
At Dawgs on the Ohio, you choose from a regular dog, all beef dog, smoked sausage or polish sausage, then top it as you will with condiments from jalapeños and chili to horseradish sauce or sauerkraut. Specials include the Chicago Gangster with windy city toppings, a Jasper Dog with kraut and spicy mustard, the Street Dog with mustard, ketchup, relish and onion, and many more.
23. Fat Cat’s BBQ
Fat Cat’s BBQ serves up Memphis-style ribs, pork steak, chicken, meat balls, sausage and more with all the homemade sides and desserts.
24. Feed the 5000
The Feed the 5000 truck, which serves the foods of the Philippine Islands, will be working in Gibson County. You'll find it around Owensville and at event locations throughout the summer. With exotic dishes such as pancit noodles, slow-braised pork belly adobo with garlic rice and lumpia spring rolls, it's worth the drive.
More: Filipino food? In the Evansville area? Here's where to find it, and what to try
25. Festival Fun Foods
Watch for Festival Fun Foods out and about with classic carnival munchies such as corn dogs, polish sausage, pulled pork sandwiches, funnel cakes, loaded fries, deep fried Oreos and lemon shake-ups.
26. Fine Swine BBQ and Catering
This truck serves barbecue but has expanded into so much more. The menu may change depending on the event but look for homestyle entrees such as smoked meatloaf or turkey with garlic-parm mashed potatoes, green beans, corn and rolls alongside pulled pork and your other barbecue favorites, loaded dogs, homemade desserts and more.
27. Fire and Smoke BBQ
Stop by Fire and Smoke for ribs, wings, brisket and pulled pork with your favorite sides, loaded nachos, flavored lemon shake-ups and famous homemade banana pudding. Homemade sauces include sweet heat jalapeño and others.
28. Fuego’s Taqueria
Authentic Mexican street food is the name of the game at Fuego’s Taqueria. Have a taco, torta, burrito or quesadilla with your choice of meat including homemade pork al pastor, grilled beef or chicken, lengua (tongue), cachet (beef cheek) chorizo and others or have a quesobirria taco with shredded beef and cheese with dipping sauce.
29. Hot Diggety Dog
Stop here for your all-beef dogs, jumbo dogs, jumbo Angus dogs, Polish sausage and brats with your choice of toppings. Go with a Firey Diggety Dog with sport peppers and giardiniera peppers, a brat with roasted peppers and onion, or choose from a dozen toppings and condiments to make your own creation.
30. J’s Good Grub
This Owensboro truck can be occasionally found in the Tri-State, serving a menu of sandwiches, shrimp, wings, loaded fries and plentiful vegan options including vegan burgers, vegan wings, plant-based chicken sandwiches, and more.
More: JB's Barnyard trailer serving Chaney's ice cream from Bowling Green, Ky.
31. JB’s Barnyard
JB’s Barnyard proudly serves ice cream made at Chaney’s Dairy Barn in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with milk from the dairy’s herd of Jersey cows. Sixteen flavors are always available.
32. Jayson Muñoz Caters
Find a changing mix of tacos, nachos, cheese crisps and more at the Jayson Muñoz Caters truck. Munoz is the owner of Kanpai in Evansville and the former owner of City Taco in Evansville and the Commonwealth Kitchen and Bar in Henderson. Favorites inspired by all these restaurants can be found on the menu.
33. JT’s American Food on the Fly
You'll find this star-spangled truck selling burgers and hot dogs, fries, cheese sticks, nachos, taco salad and all those American favorites you love to eat on the street.
34. Jeanne’s Gelato on the Go
If you like ice cream you’ll love Italian-style gelato, a type of ice cream that’s a little softer with tons of flavor. Find at least eight varieties on the Jeanne's Gelato trailer, including vegan and lactose-free sorbets.
35. Jenn’s Rockin Eats
Sandwiches are on the menu of this Henderson-based truck. Look for meatloaf burgers, Phillies, grilled chicken, Cubans, grilled German bologna, pulled pork and more.
36. Joey Za’s Pizza and Steaks
Philly has come to Evansville, on a food truck. Find authentic cheesesteak sandwiches, East Coast-style pizza, and other occasional specials such as smashburgers, chicken Phillies, wings, and cold cut hoagies. The menu changes depending on the event.
More: Now there's a place where you can get authentic Philly food in Evansville
37. Kim’s Chuckwagon
A unique menu makes this truck special. Look for sloppy Joe sandwiches and sloppy Joe nachos, breaded pork chuckwagon sandwiches, loaded BBQ tots, chicken and waffles, cheesecake and more.
38. Kevin’s Halal Munchies
This exotic New York City-style truck serves a menu based on the Halal carts of NYC. Have gyros, spiced grilled lamb or chicken with veggies and spiced red and white sauces over rice, falafel, a spicy masala burger or masala fries or even a hot dog for the less adventurous.
39. Kona Ice
Kona Ice will cool you off on a hot summer day. Saturate your cup of fluffy shaved ice with flavors from wild watermelon to strawberry shortcake, bubble gum pink or cappuccino.
40. Kool Shack
Keep it cool when you grab a scoop of ice cream from the Kool Shack. Choose from eight flavors of hand-dipped, pineapple dole whip, a float or soda with a flavor shot.
41. La Plaza
Grab authentic Mexican goodies at La Plaza including elote street corn, tacos and mulitas, which are similar to tacos fried with melting cheese in the center. Also on the menu are fruit cups and icy fruit beverages. Find La Plaza often at Panaderia San Miguel on Washington Avenue, where you can grab a Mexican sweet treat to accompany your entrée.
42. Lashbrooke’s BBQ
Lashbrooke’s has become well-known for great long-smoked brisket. This barbecue trailer also offers ribs, pulled pork and occasional specials such as pork steak or smoked buffalo wings with homemade sides and desserts.
43. Lee’s Phillies and More
Get your Philly steak sandwich extra cheesy at this truck along with loaded Philly fries, fried fish, and wings.
44. Let's Get Fried
This truck out of Madisonville, Ky., makes regular forays into the Henderson and Evansville areas and everyone enjoys the decadent menu of loaded fries, loaded nachos, burgers, loaded funnel cakes (seriously, loaded funnel cakes), deep fried honey buns, and deep fried Oreos. There's even a menu option called Hart Attack Fries. Hey, it's all about moderation. You can eat salad the rest of the week.
45. Loaded Fry Shack
Load up those hand-cut fries with everything from cheese to fried chicken to shrimp and bacon at this truck, and follow it with a Messy Bowl dessert in flavors from cookies and cream to peach cobbler.
More: Loaded Fry Shack: New Evansville food truck really piles it on
46. Lollys Pops
Homemade frozen fruit and cream pops in changeable flavors from old fashioned favorites such as cookies and cream or chocolate pudding, to exotic honey mango and watermelon hibiscus, to creative caramel cake ice cream.
47. Mexevansville
The food truck arm of La Campirana restaurant, Mexevansville offers authentic goodies after the restaurant closes and at local events. Look for authentic al pastor pork off the trompo rotisserie and other unusual specialties such as elote empapelado with meat and peanut salsa and tacos de higado (liver).
More: La Campirana is expanding in Evansville: Pastry shop, bar location and food truck
48. Mexico Lindo Y Que Rico
Authentic Mexican eats including tortas, tacos and quesobirria tacos, tamales, posole, chiles rellenos and more are on the menu at this traditional south-of-the-border truck.
49. Miller’s Barbecue, Events Catering and Mobile Smokehouse
Follow your nose to the Miller’s truck for smoked meat from brisket to salmon to sausages, ribs, pulled pork, chicken breast and much more. Meats on the menu may vary depending on the day. Have a sandwich, wrap, or nachos. Sides include macaroni and cheese, baked beans, slaw, and mashed potatoes.
50. Mini Chimi Truck
Get your favorite Tacoholic's restaurant street tacos, street corn, nachos, burritos, crunchy Gringo Tacos, even chicken strips or a bacon cheeseburger from Tacoholic's new Mini Chimi truck in Henderson, Ky.
51. Mother Truckers Pizzeria
Small fire-powered Ooni pizza ovens keep this Gibson County truck fired up as it cranks out pizzas from classic pepperoni to specialties with toppings including andouille sausage, smoked pork, candied bacon, chorizo, garlic butter, fresh basil and more. It will be around Vanderburgh County here and there, but look for it at events at Bud's Harley Davidson.
52. Mr. D’s in Henderson
Mr. D's Drive-in in Henderson now has a food truck. On the menu are Mr. D's famous Colonel Jim's breaded chicken tenders with or without sauces, burgers with Colonel Jim's seasoning, fish tacos, and more wraps and sandwiches, most using Colonel Jim's breading or seasoning.
53. Papa T's Tamales
This cart vends hot all-beef tamales loaded the way you like them, or have your favorite toppings on a bed of nachos. Toppings include chili, chunky salsa, habanero sauce, nacho cheese, corn salsa, white queso, jalapenos, or hot sauce.
54. Pappa Bear’s Catering
A mobile smokehouse, Pappa Bear's offers fun entrees such as smoked pork belly bites with a sweet and tangy finishing sauce, all your barbecue favorites and fun special menus for holidays and events all year long from Irish food on St. Patrick's week to Cajun for Mardi Gras.
55. Paradise Pizza
Grab a pizza from the classic meat lovers (they call it the Shark Bait) to a taco style, chicken bacon ranch, veggie version or another signature pie, or customize your own at this new pizza truck.
56. PeeWee’s Soul Food
Get some home-cooked soul food from the ever-changing menu at PeeWee's truck from fried catfish and wings to pork chops, Magnolia sausage, Southern sides including fried okra and hush puppies, and specials from neck bones to meat loaf and pig's feet.
57. Pizza Revolution
Stop for a wood-fired pizza from Evansville’s traveling pizza oven. Favorites include the Fig-n-Pig with prosciutto, arugula and figs; the Buzz Killa with hot red pepper flake, pepperoni, hot chili oil and honey; and the Fun Guy with roasted garlic, mozzarella cheese, rosemary and mushrooms. Gluten-free crust and vegan sausage are now available.
58. Prime Time on Wheels
The food truck arm of Prime Time Pub & Grill is now on the road with a menu of favorites including pork parfaits with pulled pork and macaroni and cheese with white cheddar and smoked Gouda, burgers, bratwurst, loaded fries and more.
59. QB’s Bar-B-Q
QB’s isn’t online, but you can find them at the Market on Main at the Ford Center on Main Street every Wednesday morning, serving pulled pork and pork chop sandwiches, ribs, smoked chickens and more.
60. Queen B’s Cuisine
Gourmet sandwiches are the specialty at Queen B’s truck. Have an Italian beef slow-cooked with peppers and topped with provolone; a Cuban with pulled pork, ham, Swiss, pickle and mustard on a long roll; a BBQ pulled pork sandwich with sweet and sour slaw, a burger and more. Queen B is putting together a new menu this year so watch for new items.
61. Random Fill-Ups
You'll find smoked goodies such as brisket, rib tips, and whole turkey legs, as well as polish sausage sandwiches, deep fried tacos, burgers, homemade desserts and more fun specials on the Random Fill-Ups truck. Not all menu items are available every day.
62. River City Dawgs
Get your dawg on with all-beef weenies dressed the way you like them—or choose from one of many specialties: the Chili Dawg with chili, cheese and chopped onions; the Carolina Dawg with chili, slaw and brown mustard, the Chicago Dawg with mustard, relish, onion, sport pepper, pickle spear, tomato and celery salt, and others.
63. Rock-A-Burger
Big gourmet burgers are cookin' at Rock-A-Burger. Choices include the Red Hot Chili Pepper with pepper jack cheese, grilled jalapeno, habanero and red bell peppers; the Blue on Black with a blackened burger topped with blue cheese and Irish whiskey glaze; and the Aporkalypse sausage burger with bacon and cheddar; and others.
64. S&S BBQ
This Santa-Claus-based truck may make occasional forays into Warrick County with a full menu of smoky barbecue and specials such as chicken and dumplings and pulled pork tacos.
65. Sabor Colombia
Look for this truck serving the flavors of Colombia later this summer. In the meantime, watch the Facebook page for pop-up events with Colombian tamales and empanadas.
66. Sassy Sweets Confections
At the Sassy Sweets truck, indulge in a wide variety of sweets and desserts from cupcakes to brownies, pie cups, cheesecake slices and cookies.
More: Steve's Oinj-N-Squeel barbecue sauce now has its own truck
67. Steve’s Oink-N-Squeel
The famous locally-made Steve's Oink-N-Squeel barbecue sauces have spawned their own food truck serving pulled pork and chicken, sandwiches, pork street tacos, loaded tots, and more.
68. Stuft
Stuffed burgers are the specialty at the Stuft truck, and you'll find them stuffed with all kinds of good stuff from bacon and cheese to pizza style. Have one with a side of fries, tots, sweet potato fries, onions rings, or load up those fries. Finish with a slice of cheesecake or some cobbler.
69. Sweeney’s Weenies
Sweeney’s hot dog cart serves Nathan’s all-beef ¼ pound hot dogs, burger dogs, and nachos with your choice of toppings, from homemade relish to chili to spicy mayonnaise.
More: Sweet Dreams À La Mode truck will give you lots to dream about
70. Sweet Dreams À La Mode
Freshly-cooked waffles with creative toppings are the specialty at this cute dessert truck. Also enjoy parfaits, ice cream, floats and more.
71. T&T Barbeque
The T&T truck cooks up barbecue classics as well as jerk, tacos hot dogs and more.
72. Taco Bar
Street tacos, soft tacos, crunchy tacos, taco salads and so much more are available from the Taco Bar. Have a Chupacabra foot-long burrito, loaded nachos, a quesadilla, jalapeno and black bean eggrolls, chicken on the beach or other spicy southwest favorites.
73. Taqueria Vargas
This truck has all the traditional Mexican snacks, from chicharron con cueritos (large fried crispy base topped with strips of pickled pork skin, sauces, avocados and more); crispy fried botana wheel snacks with sauces and garnish; papas Francescas fries with ketchup, mayo and cotija cheese; pastor nachos; torta sandwiches; banana frita split and stuffed with fruit and whipped cream; mangonada and more. It's exotic.
74. Tasty Daisy's
The offspring of the Crazy Daisy's truck, Tasty Daisy's comes to your party with bulk candies, cold drinks and other sweets.
75. Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee
This cozy coffee truck serves coffee hot, iced, frozen or flavored in all your favorite forms from espresso drinks to frappe.
76. Traveler’s Deli
Sandwiches are the name of the game at the Traveler's Deli truck, inspired by travels around around the country. Have a classic sandwich or a regional specialty. The truck should be on the road sometime in May.
77. Tom’s Smokin’ Barbecue
This Henderson truck will satisfy your barbecue cravings with pulled pork, brisket, ribs, smoked chicken, pork chops, mutton, slaw burgers, barbecue nachos, and surprise specials. Sides including macaroni salad, potato salad, baked beans and more are all made from scratch.
78. Tri-State Snack Shop
Stop by this truck for fried fish, fried chicken wings, buffalo chicken dip and buffalo chicken nachos. The fish is ocean flounder and whiting with a very mild and clean flavor, hand-breaded in a cornmeal coating with a touch of sweetness.
79. Trailer Treats
Trekking to Evansville from Montgomery, Trailer Treats serves up freshly-rolled and baked regular and cinnamon soft pretzels, pretzel dogs and homemade ice cream.
80. Trappin Chick’n
Chicken wings are the things at the Trappin Chicken’ truck in Henderson. Choose parmesan, lemon pepper, Nashville hot and others; or, have chicn’n sliders, chick’n strips loaded red potatoes or nachos. Also available—chess pies whole or by the slice, and apple dumplings.
81. Uncle Ted’s Just Dang Good Food
This Mount Vernon truck specializes in classic and creative sandwiches. Burgers are pattied by hand, and many vegetarian and healthy options are available. If you’re not into beef, have a turkey burger or spicy black bean burger. Specials may include concoctions from a bacon and pulled pork smoked sausage, taco stromboli or taco salad to fish nuggets, the Fire Starter burger with bacon, jalapenos and chipotle sauce and more.
82. Up in Smoke BBQ
This Henderson truck has a changeable menu, but you might find pulled pork, brisket, grilled ribeyes, barbecued mutton, grilled bologna, loaded barbecue nachos or some other smoked goodness with sides of baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad.
83. Zia Smoke
Based in Oakland City, Zia Smoke was a pop-up only until 2023, when it became a truck and a brick and mortar. The barbecue has a distinct Southwest flair. Stop for brisket, pulled chicken and pork with pit smoked beans, smoked mac & cheese, green chili corn, slaw and potato salad.
