New Jersey's 15 Best Food Trucks: 2024-2025 Guide

**Cuisine:** American BBQ / Tex-Mex **Price Range:** $ (Moderate) **Based In:** Somerset / Princeton, NJ **Named #1 Food Truck in the USA by The Daily Meal (2016)** Oink and Moo BBQ has been serving up savory American BBQ since 2011, founded by Josh Sacks who spent years traveling the country perfecting his craft. The truck features a **Cookshack smoker on board**, ensuring authentic smoked flavors at every stop. **Locations:** - Food Trucks: Roaming throughout NJ (3 trucks) - Restaurant: 456 Elizabeth Ave, Franklin Township, NJ - Catering: Available statewide **Phone:** (732) 850-0471 **Customer Reviews:** - Yelp: **4.5 stars** (41+ reviews, 26 photos) - TripAdvisor: "Pleasantly surprised to see so many food truck awards, we enjoyed it all" - "When you can cut brisket with a plastic fork, you've found the perfect brisket" - "Best chicken tacos! First tried when their food truck came to Oakridge Park" **Signature Dishes:** - Brisket Sliders ("Moo") - Pulled Pork Sliders ("Oink") - Chicken Tacos - Taco Trifecta (sampler of all three proteins) - Ribs - Mac and Cheese - Collard Greens **What Makes Them Stand Out:** 2014 Philadelphia Vendy Award "Rookie of the Year"; on-board smoker; expanded from 1 truck to 3 trucks plus restaurants; gluten-free and vegetarian options available. **Catering:** Yes – Weddings, corporate events, house parties up to 500 people. Food truck arrives fully equipped.

**Cuisine:** Latin American / Empanadas **Price Range:** $ (Budget-friendly, ~$3-7 per empanada) **Based In:** Freehold / Old Bridge, NJ The Empanada Guy has turned humble empanadas into an empire. Starting with one food truck in 2012, founder Carlos Serrano has grown to **5+ food trucks** and a brick-and-mortar restaurant, making it one of the fastest-growing gourmet food trucks in the United States. **Locations:** - Multiple Food Trucks: Roaming NJ (check schedule) - Restaurant: 568 Park Ave Plaza, Freehold, NJ 07728 **Phone:** (888) 623-7765 **Customer Reviews:** - Yelp: **4.0 stars** (110+ reviews) - "My favorite food truck in Jersey" - "His empanadas are obviously awesome because he has since grown exponentially" - "This is the only place you can get away with selling 4 dollar empanadas—they're that good" - "The lines are always huge wherever they are" **Signature Dishes:** - Beef Empanada (classic, with fresh sofrito): $5.50 - Chicken Empanada (aromatic herbs): $5.50 - Chorizo Empanada (with potato, chipotle, cheese blend): $6 - Lobster Empanada: $9.50 - Crab Empanada: $8 - Apple Cinnamon Empanada (dessert) - Churros (cinnamon sugar) - Cuban Sandwich **What Makes Them Stand Out:** Each empanada stamped with "EM" initials; appeared on Supermarket Superstar TV show; offers 15+ empanada varieties; quick service despite long lines. **Catering:** Yes – Events, festivals, private parties. Order by the dozen.

**Cuisine:** Global Fusion / Comfort Food (Halal) **Price Range:** $ (Moderate) **Based In:** Jersey City, NJ No Forks Given has become a Jersey City institution since launching in 2017. Owner/chef Wyatt Harte creates "handheld gourmet deliciousness" fusing Asian, Latin, and American flavors. The truck was so successful it spawned a **brick-and-mortar location** in 2023. **Locations:** - Food Truck: Roaming Jersey City - Restaurant: 115 Brunswick St, Jersey City, NJ 07302 **Hours:** Wed-Thu 11:30AM-8:30PM, Fri 12PM-9PM, Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 10AM-4PM **Phone:** (551) 206-2060 **Customer Reviews:** - Yelp: **4.5 stars** (116+ reviews, 136 photos) - The Infatuation: Featured for "massive cheesesteaks and fried chicken sandwiches" - "When I first bit into the Korean cheesesteak I thought 'this might have too much flavor'—which is an insane reaction" - "Massive portions and savory flavors" **Signature Dishes:** - Peruvian Fried Chicken Sandwich (panko-fried thighs, Peruvian yellow sauce, sriracha mayo) - Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich (spicy cabbage slaw, pickled cucumbers, sesame) - Korean BBQ Cheesesteak (marinated ribeye, bulgogi-style) - Buffalo Fried Chicken Sandwich - Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich - Carnitas Grilled Cheese (beer-braised pork, Peruvian green sauce) - Korean BBQ Tacos - Takahashi Fries (seasoned with spicy mayo) **What Makes Them Stand Out:** All chicken is Halal-certified; fusion of Peruvian, Korean, and American flavors; transitioned from food truck to brick-and-mortar success story. **Catering:** Yes – Corporate events, private parties, large group orders.

**Cuisine:** Filipino **Price Range:** $ (Moderate) **Based In:** Jersey City, NJ **Featured in New Jersey Monthly's "Best Food Trucks in NJ" (2024)** The name says it all: **12 Filipino-American cousins** who grew up together in Jersey City launched this truck to share their family's home cooking. Cousins Jeffrey Fama (finance) and Joss Maglaqui (French Culinary Institute-trained chef) lead the operation. **Location:** Roaming NJ; check social media for schedule **Signature Dishes:** - Pancit (stir-fried pork and rice noodles) - Lumpia (mini pork egg rolls) - Chicken Adobo Poutine (original creation) - Chicken Skewers - Pork Skewers - Ube Purple Yam Pudding **What Makes Them Stand Out:** First Filipino food truck in New Jersey; family recipes passed down through generations; French culinary training meets Filipino home cooking. **Catering:** Yes – Private parties, festivals, corporate events.

**Cuisine:** American / Gourmet Burgers **Price Range:** $ (Moderate) **Based In:** Central New Jersey **Dozens of local, statewide, and national awards** Founded by George Miller (a former fireman known as "the food truck Godfather") and his wife Libby, Five Sisters Food Co. is named after their five daughters—all of whom help run the operation. Their burgers feature a secret meat blend and creative toppings. **Location:** Roaming NJ; check social media **Signature Dishes:** - Signature Burgers (secret meat blend, luscious toppings) - "Insanely Loaded Fries" - Gourmet sandwiches **What Makes Them Stand Out:** Family-run operation with all five daughters involved; George Miller helps curate NJ food truck scene; award-winning recipes. **Catering:** Yes – Festivals, private events.

**Cuisine:** Mexican / Tacos **Price Range:** $ (Budget-friendly) **Based In:** Brick, NJ (Shore area) Five friends from Brick Memorial High School launched Tacoholics in 2016, and it's been a runaway success. The truck spawned **five brick-and-mortar locations** (Tacoholics Grill) in Red Bank, Brick, Toms River, Lanoka Harbor, and Sea Girt—while the original truck keeps rolling. **Locations:** - Food Truck: Roaming NJ - Restaurants: Red Bank, Brick, Toms River, Lanoka Harbor, Sea Girt **Signature Dishes:** - Fried Avocado Tacos - General Tso's Chicken Tacos - "Crack BBQ" Chicken Tacos - Nachos - Quesadillas - Burritos - 7 distinctive signature sauces **What Makes Them Stand Out:** Started by five high school friends; expanded from 1 truck to 5 restaurant locations; adventurous taco combinations. **Catering:** Yes – Available through truck and restaurants.

**Cuisine:** BBQ / Smoked Meats ("Teaneck-Style") **Price Range:** $ (Moderate) **Based In:** Teaneck, NJ **Featured in New Jersey Monthly's "Best Food Trucks in NJ" (2024)** "Magic Mike" Nurse is a former **professional basketball player** who played nine years in European leagues before returning home to Teaneck with his Australian wife, Kelleigh. His "Teaneck-style barbecue" has won multiple awards. **Location:** Roaming North Jersey; check Instagram **Signature Dishes:** - Ribs (wood-smoked 4-6 hours) - Brisket - Pulled Pork - Mac and Cheese - Deep spice rub with "not candy-sweet" sauces **What Makes Them Stand Out:** Former pro basketball player; family operation with wife and son; unique "Teaneck-style" BBQ that's not overly sweet. **Catering:** Yes – Private events, festivals.

**Cuisine:** Hungarian Desserts / Ice Cream **Price Range:** $ (Budget-friendly) **Based In:** Central New Jersey **Featured in New Jersey Monthly's "Best Food Trucks in NJ" (2024)** Denes and Angella Feher brought **Hungarian chimney cakes** (kürtőskalács) from Transylvania to New Jersey. Their innovation: stuffing the traditionally hollow cakes with ice cream, creating "a sundae wrapped in chimney-cake deliciousness." **Location:** Roaming NJ; check Facebook **Signature Dishes:** - Chimney Cakes with Ice Cream - Coatings: Cinnamon, Caramel, Coconut - Ice Cream Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Butter Pecan, Mint Chip - Topped with whipped cream **What Makes Them Stand Out:** First Hungarian chimney cake truck in NJ; authentic Transylvanian recipe; unique ice cream-filled concept. **Catering:** Yes – Events, festivals, private parties.

**Cuisine:** Seafood / Cuban **Price Range:** $ (Moderate) **Based In:** Shore Area, NJ **Featured in New Jersey Monthly's "Best Food Trucks in NJ" (2024)** Lou Esposito (known as "Luigi" in his hometown of Naples, Italy) grew up working at his family's pizzeria. Now his Beach Shack truck serves "consistently restaurant-quality dishes" with the whole Esposito family involved. **Location:** Roaming Jersey Shore area **Signature Dishes:** - Lobster Rolls - Lobster Quesadillas - Cuban Sandwiches - Garlic Shrimp - Coconut Shrimp - Loaded Tater Tots **What Makes Them Stand Out:** Italian family background; Jersey-caught seafood; restaurant-quality from a truck; whole family operation. **Catering:** Yes – Events, private parties.

**Cuisine:** American / Gourmet Egg Rolls **Price Range:** $ (Moderate) **Based In:** Neptune City, NJ **Featured in New Jersey Monthly's "Best Food Trucks in NJ" (2024)** The Fahnholz family (Steve, Natalie, and son Stephen) run both food trucks and a Neptune City café. Their unique offering: **gourmet egg rolls** with a rotating selection of a dozen varieties—from Italian to Mexican to dessert. **Location:** Multiple trucks roaming NJ + Neptune City café **Signature Dishes:** - Gourmet Egg Rolls (12 rotating varieties): - Italian style - Mexican style - Chinese style - Deli style - Dessert varieties - Grilled Cheese ("real cheese with real flavor") - Tacos - Sliders - Loaded Spiral Butterfly Fries **What Makes Them Stand Out:** Unique gourmet egg roll concept; family-run trucks complement café; "one-stop dining" philosophy. **Catering:** Yes – Full-service events.

**Cuisine:** Italian Seafood **Price Range:** $$ (Premium) **Based In:** Monmouth County, NJ **Featured in New Jersey Monthly's "Best Food Trucks in NJ" (2024)** Chef Giovanni Filippazzo comes from an Italian-Greek family restaurant background. His L'Aquario Seafood truck focuses on "Italian-style seafood, ultra-fresh and cooked to order with a lot of *amore*"—including **Jersey-caught lobster**. **Location:** Roaming Monmouth County and beyond **Signature Dishes:** - The Soprano (lobster roll) - The Al Pacino (lobster roll) - The Gambino (lobster roll) - Surf & Turf Lobster Roll (topped with skirt steak) - Marinated Seafood Salad - Spicy Shrimp Arrabbiata - "Bang Bang" Shrimp (sweet and hot) - Steak and Mozzarella Sandwich **What Makes Them Stand Out:** Jersey-caught lobster ("slightly sweeter flavor"); Italian-Greek family tradition; four signature lobster roll varieties. **Catering:** Yes – Events, private parties.

**Cuisine:** Mexican / Tex-Mex **Price Range:** $ (Moderate) **Based In:** Highland Park / Kearny, NJ **Featured in New Jersey Monthly's "Best Food Trucks in NJ" (2024)** Eddie Rojas and professional chef Alex Sanchez created The Mexi-Boys to put "a fun, modern spin on the food you'd get from a taqueria or sidewalk cart in Mexico." Their eye-catching green truck is hard to miss. **Location:** Roaming NJ **Signature Dishes:** - Mexizilla (overstuffed quesadilla with beef, chicken, fries, three Mexican cheeses, chunky salsa) - Street Tacos - Burritos - Modern taqueria fare **What Makes Them Stand Out:** Professional chef (Alex) balances traditional and modern flavors; eye-catching green truck; creative fusion like the Mexizilla. **Catering:** Yes – Events, festivals.

**Cuisine:** Desserts / Bakery **Price Range:** $ (Budget-friendly) **Based In:** Point Pleasant, NJ **Featured in New Jersey Monthly's "Best Food Trucks in NJ" (2024)** Culinary Institute of America-trained pâtissier Kiersten Connor chose a food truck over a fancy restaurant kitchen. "My goal was always to bake for myself, my family and now, my customers." Her dad built the first truck in 2020. **Locations:** - Food Truck: Roaming Shore area - Bakery: Point Pleasant, NJ **Signature Dishes:** - Custom Cakes (bakery only) - Cookies - Cupcakes - Cheesecake - Brownies - Ice Cream Sandwiches **What Makes Them Stand Out:** CIA-trained pastry chef; family-built truck; expanded to brick-and-mortar bakery; also runs an ice cream cart for events. **Catering:** Yes – Weddings, parties, events. Ice cream cart available.

**Cuisine:** American Classics **Price Range:** $ (Moderate) **Based In:** Red Bank, NJ **Featured in New Jersey Monthly's "Best Food Trucks in NJ" (2024)** The No Limits truck extends the mission of No Limits Café in Red Bank: serving memorable American comfort food while preparing adults with intellectual disabilities for hospitality careers. "We give 100% and still try to do better," says truck manager Matt Berkowitz. **Location:** Roaming NJ **Signature Dishes:** - Gourmet Grilled Cheese - Burgers - Cuban Sandwich - Brisket Sandwich - Fresh-baked Cookies **What Makes Them Stand Out:** Social enterprise employing adults with intellectual disabilities; gracious service praised by customers; mission-driven operation. **Catering:** Yes – Events, with a meaningful cause.

**Cuisine:** Asian Fusion **Price Range:** $ (Moderate) **Based In:** Central New Jersey Founded by Fumiji Aoki ("Ms. Fu"), this truck serves a unique blend of Japanese, Korean, Thai, Chinese, and American dishes. A staple at festivals like the Hoboken Arts & Music Festival and farmers' markets throughout NJ. **Locations:** Roaming NJ; frequently at: - Hoboken Arts & Music Festival - Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market - Metuchen Farmers Market - Rutgers Gardens Farmers Market **Signature Dishes:** - Yaki Soba Noodles - Pork Buns - Thai Green Curry Bowl - Fried Chicken Wings - Asian fusion specials **What Makes Them Stand Out:** Diverse Asian cuisine from one truck; festival favorite; fresh ingredients and rich flavors. **Catering:** Yes – Birthdays, corporate events, community celebrations.

The best way to sample multiple trucks is at one of NJ's many food truck festivals: **Spring:** - **Randolph Food Truck Festival** – County College of Morris (April) - **BHVFC #1 Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival** – Beach Haven (April) - **Paramus Food Truck Festival** – Paramus Park Mall (May) **Summer:** - **Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival** – Monmouth Park (Memorial Day Weekend) – 30+ trucks - **Gateway U Food Truck Fridays** – First Friday monthly - **Dream Food Fest** – American Dream Mall (July) - **NJMP Food Truck Festival** – NJ Motorsports Park (July) - **Seaside Heights Food Truck & Music FEASTival** (June) **Fall:** - **Just Jersey Fest** – Various locations throughout NJ - **Laurita Winery Food Truck Festival** – New Egypt **Pro Tip:** Admission to most festivals is $5-15; children often free. Bring chairs and blankets—seating rarely provided.

**North Jersey (Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Passaic)** - **No Forks Given** – Jersey City favorite - **Twelve Truck** – Jersey City Filipino - **Magic Mike's Smoked Meat** – Teaneck BBQ - **Ms. Fu's Yummy** – Festival circuit **Central Jersey (Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Somerset)** - **Oink and Moo BBQ** – Somerset/Princeton - **The Empanada Guy** – Freehold/Old Bridge - **Five Sisters Food Co.** – Award-winning burgers - **The Chimney Cake Factory** – Hungarian desserts **Shore (Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May)** - **Tacoholics** – Brick and shore towns - **Beach Shack** – Seafood specialist - **Shore Good Eats 'n' Treats** – Neptune City - **L'Aquario Seafood** – Monmouth County - **Kiersten's Creations** – Point Pleasant **South Jersey (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester)** - **Fireman Freddie's BBQ** – Award-winning BBQ - **Oink and Moo** – Voorhees location

Unlike some states with predictable lunch spots, NJ food trucks are highly mobile. Here's how to track them: **Apps & Websites:** - Best Food Trucks: bestfoodtrucks.com/food-trucks/new-jersey - Roaming Hunger: roaminghunger.com/food-trucks/jersey-city-nj/ - New Jersey Food Trucks: newjerseyfoodtrucks.com **Social Media:** - Follow trucks on Instagram and Facebook for daily locations - Most trucks post weekly schedules **Regular Spots:** - Breweries and wineries throughout NJ - Corporate parks (lunch service) - Pier 13 (Jersey City waterfront) - American Dream Mall

New Jersey food trucks are catering experts. Here's what to expect: **Typical Pricing:** - Per-person rates: $15-35 depending on menu - Minimum guest counts often required - Some trucks charge travel fees outside their area **Popular Event Types:** - Weddings & rehearsal dinners - Corporate lunches & employee appreciation - Bar/Bat Mitzvahs - Graduation parties - Backyard BBQs - Birthday parties **Booking Tips:** - Book 2-3 months in advance for weddings - Many trucks offer customizable menus - Ask about vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options - Confirm power and space requirements

These trucks also deserve recognition: - **Taco Shelly** – Classic Mexican street tacos - **Rolling Pita** – Mediterranean shawarma and falafel - **The Flying Pie Guy** – Australian-style savory pies - **Shore Shake** – Healthy smoothies and acai bowls - **Hold My Knots** – Garlic knot sliders - **Aroy-D Thai Elephant** – Thai food for over a decade - **The Little Sicilian** – Italian classics, famous fried risotto balls - **Dark Side of the Moo** – American comfort food - **Wraps and Kebabs** – Halal Mediterranean