San Diego's 10 Best Food Trucks: The Ultimate 2026 Guide

Founded by Bryan Zeto in 2019, this South Park phenomenon started when a former cellphone salesman quit his job to pursue his passion. Zeto spent a month eating his own slow-roasted meat daily to perfect recipes before launching at 3012 Grape Street next to The Bottle House liquor store. His father Samer serves as sous chef in the family operation that went from unknown truck to national recognition in just one year.

Cuisine: Mediterranean/Middle Eastern

Locations: Original food truck at 3012 Grape Street, South Park; brick-and-mortar at 5525 Jackson Drive #B, La Mesa; 9690 Reagan Rd #103, Mira Mesa

Hours: Daily 11am–9pm (Mira Mesa closes 8pm)

Signature menu items:

• Wagyu Beef Shawarma (Australian imported, marinated overnight, spit-roasted) – $15 with saffron rice, hummus, tabouli, pita
• Beef Shawarma Egg Rolls – $12
• California Shawarma Wrap with fries – $15
• Falafel Plate – $12
• Homemade Garlic Paste – signature addictive sauce
• Mango Gelato – $3

Yelp reviews (1,460+ reviews, 4.5+ stars): "Simply AMAZING beef shawarma" | "The beef shawarma egg rolls will melt you" | "Best Mediterranean food I've ever had"

Awards and media: Yelp's #1 Restaurant in the U.S. (2020); San Diego Magazine Best Food Truck 2024 (Critic's Pick); Featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" with Guy Fieri

Contact: Phone: (619) 340-1234 | Website: theshawarmaguys.com | Instagram: @shawarmaguys

Founded in 1983 by Francisco Escamilla, known as "Kiko, The Seafood King," this operation began in San Felipe, Baja California, where Kiko sold fish ceviches from his car to Mexican government workers. After winning "Best Baja Fish Taco" awards in Baja California, he expanded to restaurants before moving to the U.S. in 2000. Now run by his children Dulce and Xavier Escamilla, many speculate Kiko's inspired Ralph Rubio to open the first Rubio's location. They offer complimentary seafood soup (consomé) while customers wait.

Cuisine: Baja California Seafood

Locations: Food truck at corner of Hazard Center Dr. & Mission Center Rd, Mission Valley (92108); 1170 W Morena Blvd, Linda Vista/Bay Park (92110); Downtown brick-and-mortar at 407 C St (92101)

Hours: Mission Valley: Daily 9am-7pm | Linda Vista: Daily 8:30am-8pm | Downtown: Mon-Thu 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm

Signature menu items:

• OG Fish Taco – $1.75-$2.00 (battered fish, cabbage, pico, crema, lime)
• Grilled Fish/Shrimp/Octopus Tacos – $6-$7 each
• Mixed Ceviche – $9.00
• Kikoctele XXL – $28 (loaded with shrimp, octopus, scallops)
• Tuesday Special: 3 OG Fish Tacos or 1 OG + 1 Fish Ceviche Taco – $9.99

Yelp reviews (1,000+ reviews, 4.7 stars): "The best—I say again—BEST damn fish tacos I've ever tasted. Better than Rubio's and Mama Testa." | "One of SD's best fish tacos for $1.75? I'll have a dozen, thanks."

Contact: Phone: Mission Valley (619) 341-7397, Linda Vista (619) 623-0675, Downtown (619) 520-1137 | Instagram: @kikosplaceseafood

Founded in June 2021 by Michael Touma, a San Diego native who ran a smoke shop for 10 years before pursuing his food passion. Touma spent an entire year obsessing over birria, traveling south of the border to taste authentic preparations and learn from Mexican chefs. He developed his unique twist, then launched from a food truck in Bay Park (2335 Morena Blvd), where lines wrapped around the block. Now expanded to brick-and-mortar locations and franchising nationally.

Cuisine: Birria/Mexican

Locations: Clairemont Mesa: 4310 Genesee Ave, Ste 104 (92117); Point Loma: 3365 Rosecrans St (92110); Mira Mesa location coming soon

Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12am

Signature menu items:

• Birria Taco w/ Cheese – $4-5
• Red Quesadilla – $12+
• Cali Birria Burrito Combo – ~$20 (birria, fries, guac, rice, beans, cheese, sour cream)
• Birria Ramen – ~$14
• Crunchstack – twin tostadas stacked with beef birria, queso, guac, beans
• Taco Tuesday Special: Free taco with Mike's Meal purchase

Yelp reviews (2,300+ combined reviews, 4.5+ stars): "Best birria tacos I've ever had!!!" | "Each bite (dunked into the Consomé of course) was heavenly." | "LONG LIVE MIKES RED TACOS BIRRIA!"

Awards and media: Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. (2023); Featured on CBS8 San Diego News; Now franchising nationally

Contact: Phone: Clairemont (858) 737-4299, Point Loma (619) 228-9032 | Website: mikesredtacos.com | Instagram: @mikesredtacos

Founded in 2010 in Irvine, California by Daniel Shemtob, Jason Quinn, and Jesse Brockman, The Lime Truck became the only two-time champion in Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race" history—winning both Season 2 and the All-Stars edition. Shemtob earned Zagat's 30 Under 30 award, and the team's mission focuses on using fresh, local ingredients from each geographic area they serve.

Cuisine: California-Mexican Fusion

Locations: Mobile throughout Southern California including San Diego; available for catering from Santa Barbara to San Diego

Signature menu items:

• Sweet & Spicy Steak Taco – ~$5-7 (marinated steak, crispy wontons, chimichurri) – 1st Place OC Taco Festival
• Seared Ahi Taco – ~$5-7 (wild-caught tuna, zesty guac, lime slaw)
• Mr. Potato Taco – twice-fried peewee potatoes, tomatillo pico, chimichurri
• SoCal Quesadilla – melted cheese, chipotle honey aioli, choice of protein
• Mexican Street Corn (Elote) – roasted, aioli, cotija, lime

Awards and media: Food Network "The Great Food Truck Race" Season 2 WINNER; Food Network All-Star Edition WINNER (only team to win twice); Yahoo! Top 10 Food Trucks in America (3 consecutive years); #1 Food Truck in OC and LA (Thrillist)

Contact: Website: thelimetruck.com | Instagram: @thelimetruck | Catering minimums: Weekend $1,800, Weekday $1,200

Founded by Cristian Marin Vazquez during the COVID-19 pandemic when faced with a pregnant wife and economic uncertainty. Vazquez started serving birria from a food trailer in Golden Hill, operating initially only on Saturdays. Word traveled fast—people came from across San Diego—forcing expansion to Tuesday through Sunday. Now transitioning from food truck to a brick-and-mortar in the former Krakatoa space.

Cuisine: Birria/Mexican

Locations: Original food truck at 1015 25th St, Golden Hill (92102); Second location at 1128 25th St; New brick-and-mortar opening soon

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday (closed Monday); Sat-Sun 8am-4pm, Tue-Fri 8am-8pm

Signature menu items:

• Quesataco – corn tortilla, melted cheese, shredded beef birria, onion, cilantro
• Quesabirria – flour tortilla version
• Birria Ramen (Birriamen) – ~$12-15 (ramen noodles in birria broth)
• Birria Fries – fries topped with birria, cheese, sour cream
• Chilaquiles – corn tortillas, red sauce, birria, cheese

Yelp reviews (279+ reviews, 4.5 stars): "Birria El Rey serves flavorful Birria, expertly seasoned with care." | "The Birria Ramen is fire!!"

Awards and media: Featured on "United Plates of America" (Season 6, Episode 9); Selected as one of top three Best Tacos in San Diego for the show

Contact: Website: birriaelreyca.com | Instagram: @birriaelrey

Founded in October 2010 by Bradrick "Coop" Cooper, a Texas native who left his decade-long career as a registered nurse to open authentic pit-smoked barbecue in Lemon Grove. The 26-seat restaurant quickly became San Diego's top destination for low-and-slow Texas-style BBQ. In March 2024, Coop announced closure plans, but an outpouring of community support saved the business—they now operate weekends only.

Cuisine: West Texas-Style Pit BBQ

Location: 2625 Lemon Grove Avenue, Lemon Grove, CA 91945

Hours: Friday-Sunday 10am-3pm (or until sold out); Closed Monday-Thursday

Signature menu items:

• Beef Brisket – $8 (1/4 lb), $14 (1/2 lb), $27 (full lb)
• Pulled Pork – $7 (1/4 lb), $13 (1/2 lb), $22 (full lb)
• Southwestern Jerk Chicken – $7 (1/4 lb), $11 (1/2 lb), $20 (full lb)
• Small Ribs – $18 | Half Slab – $26 | Full Slab – $50
• Mac n Cheese – $8 (8oz), $14 (16oz)
• Sweet Potato Pie – $6/slice, $23 whole

Yelp reviews (2,475+ reviews): "Everything tastes freaking amazing but my favorites are the pulled pork and brisket. Best BBQ in SD!!!" | "This is the only BBQ in San Diego that deserves to even use the name BBQ."

Contact: Website: coopsbbq.com | Instagram: @coopsbbq | Delivery via DoorDash, Uber Eats

Operated by Chef Jorge Fuentes, this legendary seafood truck sits in San Ysidro near the Mexican border, continuing the tradition of mariscos trucks importing fresh seafood from Baja California. Located in a liquor store parking lot, it's known locally as potentially "the best food truck in San Diego"—a pilgrimage destination for serious taco seekers.

Cuisine: Baja-Style Seafood

Location: 3269 Beyer Blvd, San Diego, CA 92173 (San Ysidro, near Dairy Mart Road & Highway 905)

Hours: Daily 8:30am-7pm

Signature menu items:

• Fish Taco (Pescado) – $1.50-$2.00 (legendary—"the epitome of what one should expect")
• 7 Chiles Taco – specialty with unique pepper blend
• Gobernador Taco – shrimp and cheese specialty
• Tostada Loca – massive seafood plate (shrimp, octopus)
• Aguachile, Ceviche Tostadas, Oysters, Clams

Yelp/TripAdvisor reviews (200+ reviews, 4.5+ stars): "I defy you to find a better fish taco anywhere north of the border." | "It could simply be the best fish taco in the world."

Awards and media: Featured on Cooking Channel's "San Diego Taco Trip"

Contact: Phone: (619) 654-0266 | Note: Cash preferred (75¢ fee for cards)

Created by Dyann, a Culinary Institute of America trained chef, combining "a bit of devilishness with delicious food." After competing on The Great Food Truck Race Season 2, Dyann continued with husband Mark Manning. Their butter-poached lobster grilled cheese has reached legendary status—they've used 70 pounds of lobster in 2 hours when demand peaks.

Cuisine: Gourmet Twisted Comfort Food

Location: San Diego, CA 92110 (Linda Vista area)

Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-1:30pm & 5:30pm-8:30pm; Sat 11:30am-6pm; Closed Sunday

Signature menu items:

• Butter Poached Lobster Grilled Cheese – ~$12-15 (most famous item, sells out quickly)
• Duck Confit Grilled Cheese – gruyère & mozzarella, honey port reduction
• Smoked Pork Belly Grilled Cheese – caramelized shallots, crispy Brussels
• 100% Crab Crab Cake – toasted sourdough English muffin, spicy aioli
• Truffled Parmesan Fries

Awards and media: Food Network "The Great Food Truck Race" Season 2 contestant; #1 Food Truck in San Diego A-List Awards (45,500+ votes); Eat This, Not That! "Best Food Truck in California" 2022

Contact: Phone: (951) 514-6332 | Website: deviliciousfoodtruck.com

Founded in 2016 when Jeremy called his brother Josh with an offer: ownership stake in a new company in exchange for cash to buy their first custom smoker. They started as "a man with a smoker and a popup tent," dragging equipment across San Diego County for three years before opening their first restaurant in Old Poway Village.

Cuisine: Southern-Style Slow-Smoked BBQ

Locations: Poway: 14035 Midland Rd, Old Poway Village; Gaslamp District: 751 4th Ave (near Petco Park)

Hours: Gaslamp: Mon-Wed 11am-8:30pm, Thu-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-8:30pm

Signature menu items:

• Texas-style Brisket – smoked 12-14 hours with house dry rub
• Pulled Pork – succulent, full smoke flavor
• Pork Ribs – St. Louis style, fall-off-the-bone
• Smokin J's Signature Sandwich – brisket, pork belly, slaw on toasted brioche
• BBQ Donut Sandwich – cherry glazed donut with smoked meat and fried egg
• Pork Belly – 96 hours to make (smoked, braised, pressed overnight, then fried)

Yelp reviews: "High quality BBQ in San Diego is scarce, but no need to look any further!" | "Would not have guessed, being from Texas, that a California place could be this good."

Awards and media: San Diego Reader's Poll "Best BBQ in San Diego" 2022

Contact: Phone (Gaslamp): (619) 795-1456 | Website: smokinjsrealbbq.com

Founded in 2019 as a family-owned business by Carlos and Crystal, this truck specializes in authentic Mexican street churros made completely from scratch. Their recipe contains no eggs, no lard, and no butter, creating a distinctive texture that's earned them a 4.9-star Yelp rating—one of the highest for any San Diego food truck.

Cuisine: Mexican Desserts/Churros

Locations: Primary: 3151 University Ave, North Park (CVS parking lot); mobile truck serves San Diego, Chula Vista, National City, El Cajon, La Mesa, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 6pm-9pm; Closed Sunday-Tuesday

Signature menu items:

• OG Bag of 5 Churros – classic cinnamon sugar
• Churro Sundae – with ice cream and drizzles
• Churro Nachos – deep fried flour tortillas with cinnamon, sugar, ice cream & drizzles
• Stuffed Churros – various fillings
• Buñuelos – light, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth
• Dipping sauces: Nutella, Lechera, Peanut Butter, Chocolate

Yelp reviews (156+ reviews, 4.9 stars): "Hands down, the BEST churros I've ever tasted! Crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside." | "The texture and freshness of the churros is out of this world."

Contact: Phone: (619) 710-9169 | Website: churroaddict.com | Instagram: @ChurroAddict | Health Score: 99/100

San Diego's food truck scene congregates at predictable locations throughout the week. Balboa Park Food Truck Fridays runs during summer months (June-September) from 4pm-8:30pm at Plaza de Panama. Little Italy hosts trucks on Wednesdays along B Street between India and Columbia Streets. The Hillcrest Farmers Market (Sundays 8am-2pm at 3960 Normal St) features rotating trucks.

For Padres fans, Smokin J's BBQ sits steps from Petco Park in the Gaslamp Quarter. Beach neighborhoods like Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach see regular food truck appearances, while South Park has become a food truck hub with The Shawarma Guys' original location.

Major food truck events include the San Diego Wine + Food Festival Grand Fiesta "Taco TKO" at Liberty Station (November), December Nights Food Truck Alley at Balboa Park, and rotating events at local breweries throughout San Diego County.

Most trucks maintain active Instagram accounts with daily location updates—following your favorites ensures you never miss their current stop.