Thursday, March 3, 2016

The Best of South Austin Food Trailers

Click here to go to the AFBA's official City Guide page!

Welcome to the best of South Austin food trailers, part of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance's 2016 City Guide! This post is a roundup of my favorite food trailers/trucks in South Austin with permanent locations; I am (mostly) focusing on the area bordered to the north/south by Town Lake to William Cannon and east/west by IH-35 to Mopac.

Please remember with trailers, they can move! They might be at a weekend event, and then back in their regular spot during the week. Many are weather-dependent, and even personnel dependent, e.g. only one person can run the food line, so if that person is sick or injured, the trailer may not be open. Some are amazing at keeping up with their social media, and kudos to them! Hours can vary so check their social media or website.  

They are all small, local businesses, so please show them your love! Trailers listed by geographical area. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments below! 

Along South First Street

Torchy's Trailer Park @ 1311 S. 1st Street
Holy Cacao -- Cake balls and desserts
Torchy's -- These two trailers are some of the longest operating trailers, and both have other locations as well.


Next to Elizabeth Street Cafe @ 1503 S. 1st Street
Gourdough's -- They've taken outrageous donuts and turned them into an empire. 
Mellizoz Tacos -- Torchy's seems to get all the love, but I think Mellizoz is equally worthy.


Across from Elizabeth Street Cafe @ 1502 S. 1st Street
40 North -- Great Neapolitan-style pizza! This was a special with butternut squash + caramelized onions.
40 North Pizza
Regal Ravioli -- They are one of my favorite trailers; here's the roasted beet ravioli with pecan pesto; I also LOVE the sweet potato gnocchi with bolognese sauce.

Regal Ravioli

Four Brothers @ 2201 South First Street
This Venezuelan trailer serves up some of the best food I've had from a trailer. The original arepa with shredded pork was huge (14 ounces, I weighed it when I got home with it!), tender, and delicious. Somewhat surprisingly, vegan options also available.

Four Brothers arepas

South First Food Court (at Live Oak) @ 603 W. Live Oak
Gravy -- biscuits and gravy (almost as good as my own biscuits!)
Gravy trailer
Snolabs -- Shaved snow desserts (also seasonal, open March through October roughly); all the rage in Asia, these are tasty and refreshing when you need to cool down.
Tommy Want Wingy -- chicken lollipops (wings) with choice of sauce
Tommy Want Wingy


South First and Oltorf  @ 504 W. Oltorf Street
Cheke's Takos -- I finally discovered this Mexican street food trailer this past year. Tortas, tlacoyos, and more. Full of flavor.
Cheke's tlacoyo
Pie Plante -- A one-man operation, Mark makes his crusts from scratch, the sign of a good pie! Coconut cream is my fave, check out his social media for daily flavors. 
Pie Plante pies
The Flying Carpet -- Moroccan souk food; the owners have become friends of mine, and their food is delicious and unique, and they put their heart into every thing they make. They also have indoor space where you can eat, and it's available as a rental for private events (they've got a great catering menu!). Pictured below is the Moroccan: beef kefta with scrambled egg, and a savory tomato sauce. Don't forget the L'afrique sauce for your wrap or fries!
The Flying Carpet trailer
The Flying Carpet trailer

Along South Congress Avenue
Mrs. P's Electric Cock @ 1101 South Congress 
The fabulousness that is Ms. P's fried chicken! Great name, great people, great freaking chicken!
Ms. P's Electric Cock fried chicken
Burro Cheese Kitchen @ 1221 South Congress 
Not your everyday grilled cheese sandwiches; try the Via 206 with cheddar, gouda and apricot fig jam on sourdough.

Burro Cheese Kitchen trailer

Along South Lamar
Luke's Inside Out @ Gibson Bar, 1109 South Lamar 
A staple for 5+ years on the ever-changing South Lamar, Luke's has great griddled sandwiches and daily specials.

Brown's BBQ @ Corner Bar, 1901 South Lamar
Nice barbecue, really loved the chicken thighs as they are smokey and not dried out.
Brown's BBQ trailer

Tibetan Momos @ 2323 South Lamar
The one time I tried to go, they were closed, but I have heard good things about their momos (dumplings).

Along Barton Springs Road (at The Picnic food trailer park, 1720 Barton Springs)
Brunch Haus
All breakfast all the time, like this stuffed challah bread French Toast with berries. Almost healthy!
Brunch Haus stuffed french toast
Hey You Gonna Eat 
Known for their Monte Cristo!
Hey You Gonna Eat monte cristo sandwich
Turkish meat wraps; the picture doesn't do this beef and lamb kebab justice; they have other locations too, including brick and mortar on E. 7th
Kebabalicious trailer at the Picnic

The Midway Food Park -- 1905 S. Capital of Texas Hwy (360)
Dock 'n Roll -- lobster rolls and lobster mac + cheese
Gebby's BBQ -- a newer truck, they served up some pretty fine meats.
Gebby's BBQ at the Midway
Thai Kitchen Express Food Truck (aka Eat Thai or Die) -- these are Phuket pork buns, which were really nice.
Thai Kitchen Express food truck (Eat Thai or Die)
What are your favorite trailers in South Austin?