Houston's Top 12 Food Trucks for 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to Space City's Best Mobile Eats

Est. 2012 | Houston

Founded by Phi Nguyen, a Philippines-born, Houston-raised entrepreneur who left corporate life to pursue his culinary dreams, The Waffle Bus started as Houston's first gourmet waffle sandwich truck. Nguyen traveled across the country testing hundreds of fried chicken and waffle recipes before creating his proprietary formula—grinding his own flour to achieve waffles that are "light and fluffy inside, crispy outside."

📸 Where to Find Photos

• Yelp: 905 photos, 766+ reviews (4.0/5 stars)
• Instagram: @thewafflebus (112K followers)

🧇 What to Order

• MacDaddy Sandwich — Spicy buttermilk fried chicken, white cheddar mac and cheese, Thunder Sauce on a waffle ($10.99)
• The Fryder — Four sliders using crispy seasoned waffle fries as buns (~$10)
• Hot Chicken Thunder Fries — Topped with spicy mayo and ancho chile honey butter
• $5 Smashburger Wednesday — Weekly special that draws devoted crowds

📍 Locations

• 1835 N Shepherd Dr – Heights location (brick-and-mortar + truck)
• 1540 W. Alabama St – Montrose
• 10615 Fry Rd – Cypress

Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-midnight (card only)

Reviews: "The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is AMAZING...so delicious! It's a party in your mouth!" — Yelp Review

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• 2014 Houston's Favorite Food Truck – My Table Magazine
• 2023 Culturemap Tastemaker Burger Throwdown Champion
• Featured on Food Network, Cooking Channel, Insider Food, CNN, Zagat

Contact: (832) 582-5842 | thewafflebus.com | Catering

Est. 2004 | Houston

For two decades, this family-owned operation—with owner Victoria at the helm—has earned near-mythical status among Houston taco lovers from its stationary location at the West Alabama Ice House. Fresh corn tortillas, housemade red and green salsas, and authentic recipes have drawn customers for 20 years.

📸 Where to Find Photos

• Yelp: 677 photos, 1,056+ reviews (4.5/5 stars)

🌮 What to Order

• Pastor Tacos – Classic al pastor with onions and cilantro ($1.50-$2.50)
• Barbacoa Tacos – Tender slow-cooked beef
• Lengua Tacos – Beef tongue, perfectly seasoned
• Fajita Tacos – Grilled steak with fresh toppings
• Chicharron Tacos – Crispy pork rinds
• Housemade Salsas – Warning: the red is EXTREMELY spicy!

📍 Location

2003 W Alabama St – Houston, TX 77098 (next to West Alabama Ice House)

Hours: Sun-Thu 7:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 7:30am-11pm

Reviews: "SHUT IT DOOOOOWN! Houston's taco game is over. They've won. Best street tacos in Houston, hands down!" — Yelp Review

"We've been making an annual pilgrimage from Seattle. This place is truly special." — Yelp Review

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• Houston Press "Best Classic Food Truck 2017"
• USA Today "10 Best Foodie Spots in Houston"
• TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award

Contact: (713) 584-9359 | tacostierracalientemx.com

Est. 1990s | Houston (Northside)

For decades, El Taconazo has operated on Fulton Street in Northside Houston, earning its reputation as possibly "the most well-known taco truck in all of Houston." This cash-only operation has served generations of Houstonians, maintaining its authentic character while lines wrap around the corner during peak hours.

📸 Where to Find Photos

• Foursquare Rating: 8.9/10 (#1 Food Truck in Houston)
• The Infatuation Rating: 8/10 ("Truly Excellent—worth crossing town for")

🌮 What to Order

• Trompo Tacos – Monterrey-style al pastor with incredible smoky flavor ($3-4 each)
• Plato Especial – Smoky charred fajita beef smothered in shredded white cheese with corn tortillas (~$18)
• Lengua Quesadillas con Queso Oaxaca – Legendary status
• Frijoles Charros – Loaded with bacon ("basically half pork")
• Barbacoa Tacos – The gold standard for late-night eats

📍 Location

4003 Fulton St – Houston, TX 77009 (Northside)

Hours: 9am-2:30am (weekdays until 11pm, weekends until 2am)
💵 CASH ONLY

Reviews: "When it comes to barbacoa, there is no taco truck I visit more often than El Taconazo. They have become my gold standard for late night eats in Houston." — The Infatuation

"After dark, the parking lot across the street transforms into an impromptu party with car stereos, and off-duty police officers sometimes direct traffic during peak hours."

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• #1 Food Truck in Houston – Foursquare
• Featured in multiple Houston food publications

Est. 2021 | Houston

Founded by Ahmad Kilani, a native of Irbid, Jordan who immigrated to the U.S. in 2015, Clutch City Cluckers launched its first food truck in February 2021 and has since expanded to six locations. The "Clutch City" name honors the Houston Rockets' 1994-1995 NBA championships.

📸 Where to Find Photos

• Yelp: 58 photos, 55 reviews
• Instagram: @clutchcitycluckers (92K+ followers)

🍗 What to Order

• Cluck It Like It's Hot Sandwich – Challah buns, slaw, tenders, pickles, Cluck It Sauce
• Loaded Tender Fries – Piled high with crispy tenders
• Toasted Juicy Lucy – Four Texas toasts stuffed with cheese, slaw, tenders, pickles
• Flamin' Waffle – Brunch item with sweet and spicy syrup
• Heat Levels: No Spice to "Cluck It Like It's Hot"

📍 Locations

• 9598 South Main – Medical Center
• 5600 Richmond Ave – Galleria
• Plus locations in Katy and Spring

Hours: 10/11am-3am daily (Fri-Sat until 5am at some locations)

Reviews: "The fries are so crispy and golden...Dat Special sauce is beating every other chicken place sauce. Definitely best in city!" — Yelp Review

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• San Antonio Current Best Food Truck Winner
• Featured on KHOU 11, CultureMap Houston, Click2Houston, KPRC Houston

Contact: clutchcitycluckers.com | Mobile App on iOS and Android

Est. 2012 | Houston (Five Corners)

MadMax BBQ represents a heartwarming family story. The business was inspired by Lester Maxwell, who dreamed of starting a BBQ restaurant after learning from his father. After Lester suffered multiple strokes in 2012, his son Tevron Maxwell took over the dream, operating right across from his alma mater, James Madison High School.

📸 Where to Find Photos

• Yelp: 77+ photos (4.1/5 stars)
• Instagram: @madmaxbbqribs

🍖 What to Order

• "Home of the Best Ribs" – Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs with homemade sauce
• Mac Attack Baked Potato – Loaded with cheese, choice of meat, sour cream, chives, jalapeños
• MADMAX Three/Four Meat Plates – Texas-sized portions
• Boudin with Crackers – Louisiana-style sausage
• Homemade Peach Cobbler – Don't skip dessert
• Country Beans – Mixed with ground beef ("Some people come just to get the beans!")

📍 Location

3723 B, W Orem Dr – Houston, TX 77045 (Central Southwest/Five Corners)

Hours: Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 11am-7pm (often sells out by 3-4pm—arrive early!)

Reviews: "We had Max come out to cater for our team and they are STILL talking about how good it is!" — Yelp Review

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• On Roaming Hunger for 11+ years
• Community favorite in Five Corners District

Contact: (281) 616-1664

Est. 2022 | Houston

Founded by Hadi Ismail and Ali Nasser, Dripped Birria launched in January 2022 after Ismail discovered exceptional birria in Dallas. Within the first month, they had 20,000-25,000 social media followers and "lines were getting crazy." Now expanded to five brick-and-mortar locations.

📸 Where to Find Photos

• Yelp: 131 photos, 148 reviews (Chimney Rock location)
• Instagram: @drippedbirria (77K+ followers, 1,087+ posts)

🌮 What to Order

• Quesabirria Tacos – Five tacos with slow-cooked birria beef, melted cheese, consomé for dipping
• Birria Ramen – Fusion favorite
• Dripped Fries – Loaded with birria and toppings
• Monster Burritos – Massive and stuffed
• Churros with Ice Cream – Perfect ending
• 100% Halal Certified

📍 Locations

• 3675 Cypress Creek Pkwy – Spring
• 2503 Bagby St – Midtown
• 12303 Westheimer Rd – Westchase
• 2829 Chimney Rock Rd – Galleria
• Plus Pearland and Katy

Hours: 11am-2am (weekdays), 11am-3/4am (weekends)

Reviews: "Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad stars) visited and praised the restaurant" — Houston Chronicle

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• 2,800+ 5-star reviews across all locations
• Featured in Houston Chronicle (multiple times)
• Celebrity endorsement from Breaking Bad cast

Contact: (346) 347-2866 | drippedbirria.com

Est. 2010s | Houston

Oh My Gogi holds the distinction of being Houston's first Korean-Mexican fusion food truck, founded by Eric Nguyen. The name "Gogi" means "meat" in Korean. The truck built its following serving late-night Rice Village bar crowds before expanding to brick-and-mortar.

📸 Where to Find Photos

• Yelp: 59 photos (4.0/5 stars)
• Instagram: @ohmygogi_htx (10K followers)

🍟 What to Order

• OMG! Fries – Fries topped with bulgogi beef/chicken/spicy pork, colby jack cheese, spicy mayo, onion, cilantro ($8)
• Korean BBQ Tacos – Corn tortillas with protein, lettuce, cabbage, kimchi, spicy mayo
• Kimchi Quesadillas – Fusion at its finest
• Gogi Burger – On house-made ramen buns
• OMG Fries with Short Ribs – Premium upgrade

📍 Locations

• 5901 Westheimer Rd, Ste G – Galleria (restaurant)
• Little Woodrow's Midtown – 2306 Brazos St (food truck)
• EaDo – 801 St. Emanuel St (food truck)

Hours: Sun 12pm-12am, Mon 6pm-12am, Tue-Wed 11am-12am, Thu 11am-2am, Fri 11am-3am, Sat 12pm-3am

Reviews: "Best food truck in Houston. Spicy fries with cheese and magic sauce are incredible." — Foursquare Review

Contact: (832) 509-5999 | ohmygogi.com | events@ohmygogi.com

Est. 2019 | Houston

Jane Lim and her two brothers launched Seoulside Wings in early 2019 as Houston's first Korean fried chicken specialty food truck. Jane was previously a 5-year primary school educator. The Lim family has called Houston home for over 30 years.

📸 Where to Find Photos

• Yelp: 143 photos, 121 reviews (4.5+ stars)
• Instagram: @seoulsidehtx

🍗 What to Order

• Soy Garlic Wings – Fan favorite, savory and sweet (8-hour brined, hand-breaded, double-fried)
• K Sauce Wings – Sweet and tangy gochujang
• Hotbokki Wings – Spicy Korean rice cake flavor
• Honey Butter Wings – Real honey and butter
• Bulgogi Rice Bowls – Korean BBQ classic
• Loaded Kimchi Fries – Perfect side

📍 Locations

• Kirby Ice House – Spring Branch
• Conservatory Galleria – 5353 W Alabama St (food hall)
• New brick-and-mortar in Jersey Village – Opening early 2026

Reviews: "I get excited anytime I see a Seoulside truck! Service is always great and fast. Their truck is funky with all kinds of cool stickers on the exterior." — Yelp Review

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• Featured on CW39 Houston's Morning Dose
• Featured in Community Impact

Contact: (713) 909-0112 | seoulsidewings.com | jane@seoulsidewings.com

Est. 2018 | Houston (EaDo)

Jason and Starr Harry opened EaDeaux's in January 2018, operating from a retrofitted 1979 Dodge Coachmen RV hand-painted with an anthropomorphic, cowboy hat-wearing fleur-de-lis. Jason grew up in New Iberia, Louisiana (Acadiana/Cajun Country). The business operates alongside their EaDo Hand Car Wash.

📸 Where to Find Photos

• Yelp: 19 photos
• Instagram/Twitter: @eadeauxs

🦐 What to Order

• Gumbo Tacos – Dry gumbo with andouille sausage, shrimp, and chicken in flour tortillas
• Étouffée Tacos – Creamy Louisiana classic in taco form
• Boudin Tacos – Plump boudin sausage speckled with rice
• Boudin Nachos – Cajun twist on a Tex-Mex classic
• Starr's homemade pico de gallo – On everything

📍 Location

2919 Leeland St – Houston, TX 77003 (EaDo, at EaDo Hand Car Wash)

Hours: Saturday 4-7pm, Sunday 11am-6pm (hours may vary)

Reviews: "Could anything be more uniquely Houston, more truly diverse, than a Black-owned restaurant serving Cajun Tex-Mex tacos in a rapidly growing neighborhood?" — Texas Monthly

"Houston is the biggest city in Cajun Country." — Jason Harry

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• Featured in Texas Monthly (taco editor José R. Ralat)
• One of only two African American-owned taco operations in Texas
• Houston's first and only Cajun-Tex-Mex fusion food truck

Contact: (281) 763-8722 | eadeauxs.square.site

Est. 2020 | Houston

Founded by Abraham Manai, originally from Tunisia, Gourmandize launched after Manai lost his job in oil and gas during COVID. What began as a solo operation now serves from 11am to 3:30am daily—making it ideal for late-night crowds.

📸 Where to Find Photos

• Yelp: 125 photos, 74 reviews (Chimney Rock)
• Instagram: @gourmandizehtx
• DoorDash: 4.6 stars, 2,000+ reviews
• Uber Eats: 4.7 stars, 1,000+ reviews

🍖 What to Order

• Lamb Chops Over Rice – Chimichurri-rubbed, flame-grilled ($20.99)
• Shish Lamb Kabob Over Rice ($19.99)
• Chicken Wings Over Rice – With sumac ($17.50)
• Merguez Sandwich – In-house made beef and lamb sausage with harissa, garlic aioli
• Lamb Tacos – Mediterranean-Mexican fusion
• Loaded Hummus – Topped with crispy spiced beef

📍 Locations

• 5600 Richmond Ave – Galleria Food Truck Park
• 6237 Westheimer Rd – Second location

Hours: Daily 11am-3:30am

Reviews: "This Tunisian spot is one of the best food trucks in Houston... The truck's blazing hot open grill churns out hundreds of chimichurri-rubbed lamb chops, crispy chicken wings sprinkled with sumac, and spicy Merguez lamb-stuffed pitas every night until 3:30am." — The Infatuation

"Their white sauce needs to be poured into jars and sold." — Customer Review

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• Featured on KPRC 2's "Eat Like a Local" with chef Chris Shepherd

Contact: (281) 844-9108 | gourmandizetexas.com

Cuisine: Indo-Pak/Tex-Mex Fusion (Halal) | Houston

Tikkas and Takkos has carved out a unique niche combining bold Indian and Pakistani flavors with Tex-Mex street food—all 100% halal certified.

🌮 What to Order

• Malai Tikka Roll – BBQ boneless chicken marinated in cream and spices, wrapped in Puri Paratha with sauce (fan-favorite)
• Chicken Tikka Roll – Classic preparation
• Paneer Tikka Roll – Vegetarian option
• Beef Kabab Roll – Hearty and flavorful
• Birria Takkos – Tender birria meat in corn tortillas with cheese, onions, cilantro
• Samosas & Onion Pakoras – Traditional starters

📍 Where to Find Them

Check streetfoodfinder.com/TikkasandTakkos for locations

Reviews: "We ordered over 15 items, we received our order in less than 10 mins…every single item was amazing but the best item was Malai roll." — Customer Review

"I've had every tikka on the menu! So so so delicious! I come back at least once a week." — Customer Review

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• Catered City of West University Place July 4th celebration
• Private event catering for 100+ guests

Contact: tikkasandtakkoscatering.com

Cuisine: Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts | Houston

SweetRide bills itself as "Houston's only Gourmet Ice Cream, Sorbet, Italian Ice and Sno-Cone truck, catering to the discerning palate." Premium, artisanal frozen treats far beyond typical ice cream truck fare.

🍦 What to Order

• Chocolate Raspberry Rumble Truffle – Chocolate Grand Marnier Ice Cream dipped in dark Callebaut Belgian chocolate with raspberry sorbet center
• Amazing Amaretto Truffle – Amaretto Ice Cream rolled in almonds, chocolate, and pecans
• Cool Cappucino Truffle – Grand Marnier Cappucino Ice Cream with espresso bean bits
• Italian Ice – 20+ flavors made with pure cane sugar (Mmmmango, Mangonada Madness, Lemon-Lime Love)
• Brownie Sammich – Thick ice cream sandwiched between two brownies
• 100% non-fat, gluten-free, non-dairy fruit shell sorbets

Tagline: "Cool treats for hot peeps!"

Contact: (773) 875-0880 | getsweetride.com | Book Events

Truck Yard Houston

Address: 2118 Lamar St, EaDo
Hours: Mon-Wed 4pm-midnight, Thu-Sun noon-midnight (until 2am Fri-Sat)
Features: 2-3 rotating trucks daily, in-house cheesesteak, Ferris wheel ($7.50/ride), karaoke room, daily live music, full bar, dog-friendly until 9pm
Yelp: 636+ reviews

4501 Almeda Food & Entertainment

Address: 4501 Almeda Road, Third Ward
Features: Houston's largest Black-owned food truck park, 7-8 rotating trucks (Hibachi Bros, Calliope's Po Boys, Chitalian Pizzeria, Big Poppa Jerk), putting green, Bier Garden coming soon
Instagram: @4501almeda (15K+ followers)

Porky's Backyard Food Truck Park

Address: 5131 Atascocita Road, Humble
Features: 16-17 consistent food trucks, 10,000 sq ft indoor dining, 40 beers on tap, 12 Formula 1 racing simulators, 2,000 sq ft playground, free parking for 200+ cars

Boat Basin

Address: 14625 Beechnut St (in World Food Mart parking lot)
Features: "Texas' Biggest Food Truck Park", space for 20+ vendors, Middle Eastern and South Asian focus (Naan & Kabob, Chaiwala, Lassi House), movie nights Fri-Sat

Montrose Live

Address: 1001 Westheimer Road (corner of Westheimer & Montrose)
Features: Late-night trucks, live music, Container Galleries, free parking on north end

Galleria Food Truck Park

Address: 2829 Chimney Rock Rd
Features: 10-12 trucks including Stuffed Turkey Legs, Tikkas and Takkos, Twisted Grilled Cheese; peak crowds on weekend nights

Houston's 1,300+ permitted food trucks rank the city 6th nationwide for food-truck-friendly regulations, reflecting the city's multicultural soul.

Track Daily Locations

• houstonfoodtrucks.org – Real-time map, weekly schedules
• Instagram: @houston.foodtrucks

Major Events

• Greater Houston Food Truck Festival – The Fairgrounds (13711 Almeda School Road), typically May/August, tickets ~$25
• R&B Food Truck Festival – Bayou City Event Center (9401 Knight Road), 21+ with live DJs and R&B bands

Popular Neighborhoods

• EaDo (near Truck Yard)
• Montrose (late-night scene)
• Third Ward (4501 Almeda)
• Galleria Area
• Heights (McIntyre's at 1230 W 20th St)
• Midtown
• Upper Kirby (Levy Park)

Pro Tips for Food Truck Hunting

1. Follow on Instagram – Most trucks post daily locations
2. Arrive Early – Popular trucks sell out (MadMax BBQ by 3-4pm)
3. Check Truck Yard Schedule – 2-3 rotating trucks daily
4. Embrace Late Night – Houston's best trucks often operate until 2-3am
5. Cash for El Taconazo – Only accepts cash
6. Weather Matters – Some trucks skip rainy days
7. Catering Available – Most trucks offer private event booking
8. Download Apps – Many trucks have mobile ordering