Culinary adventurers know that some of the South’s best cuisine is crafted in tiny kitchens and served on paper plates. And lucky for us, Birmingham has a vibrant community of food trucks offering everything from sushi burritos to hot chicken. Check out this list of Birmingham’s favorite food trucks, and keep up with their whereabouts by following them on social media!
SPECIALTY FOOD TRUCKS
The Peanut Truck
Facebook: @alabamapeanut | Instagram: @alabamapeanut
The newest addition to Birmingham’s food truck scene is The Peanut Truck, brought to you by the wildly popular Alabama Peanut Co. Their brick-and-mortar location stands at 2016 Morris Avenue, but they recently decided to take their craft-boiled and barrel-roasted offerings to the streets of Birmingham! Keep an eye on their social media accounts to find them at events around town. You won’t want to miss your chance to snag a cup or a bag of their latest flavors. Local favorites include Buffalo Ranch, Low Country Pickle, Sweet Pepper Vinegar, and more!
Satay n Roll
Facebook: @SataynRoll | Instagram: @sataynroll
Officially launched in June of 2020, Satay n Roll quickly became a Magic City favorite. This Asian-mix food truck features delicious satays, marinated grilled skewers, fresh sushi, and much more. We think their Bagel Roll is one of the best in Birmingham, but you really can’t go wrong with any menu selection. Satay n Roll keeps its social media up-to-date with its weekly schedule. To place an order ahead of your arrival, call (205) 635-8144. They’re also available for private events and catering.
Ruscelli’s
Facebook: @Ruscellis
If you’re craving Italian, track down Ruscelli’s food truck. From traditional pasta to creative twists like pizza tacos, and Italian quesadillas, Ruscelli’s is an Italian fusion powerhouse that locals love. While you can typically find this food truck at Mojo Pub, the Ruscelli’s food truck also stays on the move in local neighborhoods, breweries, and festivals.
RendezVous Kitchen Co.
Instagram: @rendezvouskitchenco
Changing the food truck game, RendezVous Kitchen Co. arrived on the scene in 2020 and has been blazing a trail for plant-based food ever since. Owners Britni and Jamie took their passion for plant-based cuisine and created a food truck centered around plant-based eating. With delicious comfort food options like Loaded Curls, the Western BBQ Beyond Beef Sammy, and Deep Fried Oreos, RendezVous is changing how people think of plant-based meals. Stay up-to-date with the food truck’s location on their website and social media platforms. You can also order online before pick-up on their website.
Juan 2 Go
Facebook: Wasabi Juans | Instagram: @wasabijuan
With two successful brick-and-mortar locations, Wasabi Juan’s also has a food truck, Juan’s 2 Go, serving fan favorites throughout Birmingham’s most requested neighborhoods. While it may seem like an unlikely duo, their Mexican/sushi fusion menu is surprisingly delicious. Whether you’re new to sushi or are a self-proclaimed connoisseur, there’s something for everyone on the Wasabi Juan’s menu. Orders can be placed ahead of time online here. (You must try the 4:20 Nachos! We insist.)
BBQ TRUCKS
Full Moon Bar-B-Que
Facebook: @FullMoonBBQ | Instagram: @fullmoonbbq
Full Moon Bar-B-Que is a seasoned veteran when it comes to sauces, sandwiches, and slow-roasting. Their Ultimate Food Truck is the mobile version of their award-winning restaurant, bringing everyone’s favorite barbecue nachos to a street near you. “We start with the chopped pork and homemade chips and add creamy queso, lettuce, tomato, jalapeño peppers, sour cream, salsa, Full Moon Bar-B-Que sauce, and more,” says David Maluff, owner of Full Moon Bar-B-Que. “They’re definitely a fan favorite.”
Their famous slaw is the most popular side dish — a fresh, crisp, vinegar-based slaw, once named one of the “100 Things to Eat in Alabama” by the Alabama Tourism Department. You can track this truck down through social media, but they can often be found serving the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children’s of Alabama, their favorite spots to set up shop.
Saw’s Street Kitchen
Facebook: @SawsStreetKitchen | Twitter: @SawsStKitchen | Instagram: @sawsstreetkitchen
Saw’s Street Kitchen food truck brings the delicious, soulful Southern barbecue we know and love to the Magic City. While their original pork sandwich with French fries is the best-selling combo, they get the most compliments on their cheese grits and turnip greens. However, owner Michael Brandon is also passionate about their other sandwich offerings.
“The meatloaf sandwich is awesome! We serve it ‘Roll Tide’-style, covered in Saw’s white barbecue sauce with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles,” he says. “The second runner-up would be the Boss Hog Pork Sandwich with pimento cheese, coleslaw, pickles, and Saw’s Sauce.” If you get lucky and catch them when they’re serving a signature dessert, order it. They occasionally have treats like banana pudding, peach cobbler, and lemon buttermilk pie — and they are to die for!
SEAFOOD
Cajun Steamer’s Big Red
Facebook: @CajunSteamer | Instagram: @cajun_steamer
If you’re craving an authentic po’boy, you need to track down Big Red, also known as Cajun Steamer on wheels. With customer favorites like the peel-and-eat shrimp boil, the Cajun Chili Cheese Fries, and their traditional gumbo, you won’t find a better Cajun experience this side of the Louisiana state line. You can find their up-to-date truck schedule on their social media platforms. To book the truck in your neighborhood or suggest a location, email [email protected].
TACO TRUCKS
Dos Hermanos Taco Truck
Facebook: @DosHermanosLLC
Also referred to simply as “The Taco Truck,” cash-only Dos Hermanos serves up some of the best Mexican food in the city. Situated in a gas station parking lot along West Valley Avenue, with a sister truck downtown, the long line of construction workers, families, and folks in scrubs says it all. Everyone agrees that the fabulous flavors of their tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, and tostadas are quite possibly the best in the state. With familiar fillings like steak, chicken, pork, and more exotic options like beef cheek, cow tongue, fried tripe, and chorizo, the out-of-this-world cuisine from Dos Hermanos will please the most buttoned-up eater, as well as the adventurous epicurean. It’s definitely worth the trip!
COMFORT FOOD
Eugene’s Hot Chicken
Facebook: @EugenesHotChicken | Instagram: @eugeneshotchicken
When Zebbie Carney discovered hot chicken was a phenomenon that only existed in his hometown of Nashville, he knew he had to do something to share it with the masses. After moving to Birmingham several years ago, Zebbie’s dream has come to life by bringing hot chicken to Alabama with Eugene’s Hot Chicken food truck.
Not only does Eugene’s serve some of the most flavorful chicken south of Music City, but they also serve fresh vegetables like sautéed corn and heirloom tomatoes, as well as their popular Southern coleslaw. Eugene’s mild chicken tenders and fries is the best seller, but Zebbie recommends the sandwich. “People should try our hot chicken sandwich. It has the perfect balance of flavors,” says Zebbie. “Flavor sets us apart from the competition. We keep it simple, but we try to bring different amazing flavors to every meal.” Eugene’s also offers a killer homemade banana pudding.
MELT
Facebook: @meltbham | Twitter: @meltbham | Instagram: @meltbham
MELT has every grilled cheese option you can imagine, but their most popular item is the Classic Melt with Bacon. The Buffalo Chicken Melt is a close second, and both are staples on the menu. Fries and tomato basil soup also hit the spot as the most popular side dishes. If you’re hungry for MELT on the road, the best way to find them is to call MELT at (205) 917-5000 and ask where Matilda is!
Travis Chicago Style
Facebook: Travis Chicago Style
Reportedly Birmingham’s first food truck, Travis Chicago Style has been around for about 40 years, serving Chicago-style Polish sausages and their famous Travis burgers — all smothered in owner Travis’s homemade barbecue sauce with onions, peppers, and mustard. Long lines of hungry and loyal fans follow this hard-to-find truck by word of mouth, but you can usually find Travis Chicago Style at the Bessemer Flea Market on Saturdays and Sundays starting at around 2 p.m.; Friday and Saturday nights on Second Avenue North across from Platinum starting around 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. You can also check Facebook for updates!
DESSERT TRUCKS
The Heavenly Donut Co.
Facebook: @HeavenlyDonutCo | Instagram: @heavenlydonutco
Kimberly and Brock Beiersdoerfer always dreamed of owning a business — and that dream became a reality when they opened The Heavenly Donut Co., offering donuts with a distinct shape and flavor. The idea of a food truck came about when they realized they could reach more locals if they were on wheels. The truck menu offers 10 to 12 items, so customers aren’t overwhelmed with all of the fantastic flavors. Their most popular item is the French Toast Donut, which was initially intended to be the monthly special, but customers fell in love, so now it’s offered all of the time!
Pinky by K & J’s Elegant Pastries
Facebook: @kjselegantpastries | Instagram: @kjselegantpastries
When you can no longer deny your sweet tooth, it’s time to track down Pinky the Food Truck by K & J’s Elegant Pastries. Known nationally for starting the over-the-top milkshake trend with their Kollosal Milkshake, K & J’s has even more to offer those looking for a tasty treat. Boasting delicious cupcakes and specialty cakes, the team at K & J’s stocks up Pinky with only the freshest, most mouthwatering desserts you’ve ever had. Pinky can also be rented out for private events! Track down Pinky on social media or stop by K & J’s brick-and-mortar location in Alabaster.
City Bowls
Facebook: @TheCityBowls | Instagram: @citybowls
Husband-and-wife duo Cory and Tori Dill have been making nutritious açai bowls since April of 2017, when they first opened City Bowls. While they’re packed with nutrients, these bowls are plenty sweet and delicious enough to qualify as a treat. They also serve pitaya bowls and smoothies. The yummy fruit bowls contain açai as the base with granola, strawberries, blueberries, and bananas topped with peanut butter and Nutella drizzle. Açai is high in antioxidants, good for the immune system, and boosts energy. You can stick with the classic BHAM Bowl or create your own.
NOLA Ice
Facebook: @NOLAICEBHAM | Instagram: @nolaice
Craving a sweet, chilly treat? Track down the NOLA Ice truck for a tasty Sno-Ball. NOLA Ice has 34 flavors on the menu, including traditional flavors, NOLA specialties, unique mixes, and even sugar-free options! The most popular flavors are Tiger’s Blood and Blue Raspberry — or go for a specialty mix flavor like the Hurricane Gusty, which is Tiger’s Blood mixed with Piña Colada. You can even get the NOLA cream, a special condensed milk mixture, to top your delicious Sno-Ball. Yum. You can also find NOLA Ice in The Pizitz Food Hall!
Bendy’s Cookies & Cream
Facebook: @eatBendys | Instagram: @eatbendys
Ben and Wendy served their homemade cookies and milk at their wedding in April 2014. That summer, they invited their friends over to try all of Wendy’s recipes. Their friends loved their cookies and ice cream so much that Ben and Wendy decided to make their dream of Cookies & Cream a reality in 2016. All of their friends decided Ben and Wendy should name their business a combo of their names, and thus, Bendy’s Cookies & Cream was born. They offer a variety of made-from-scratch cookies and ice cream so that you can customize your ultimate ice cream sandwich — mouthwatering, right?
… AND ONE FOR THE PUPS!
FETCH
Facebook: @fetchtreattruck | Instagram: @fetchtruckbhm
FETCH is not your traditional food truck … this one is for dogs! And it’s the first food truck of its kind in Alabama. Allison Whitfield-Smith started this dog-treat truck concept in 2014 when she decided her love for dogs should contribute to something bigger. “I saw a news segment about a food truck for dogs in New York City,” Allison says. She kept thinking about it and says she simply couldn’t talk herself out of doing it.
FETCH offers grain-free and allergen-free dog treats — and lists the ingredients on their website for transparency. The most popular item on the menu is Doggie Ice Cream, but dogs also go crazy for the peanut butter and maple bacon flavors. FETCH even donates a portion of its sales to local animal shelters and rescue groups. Allison understands the growing problem of pet homelessness in Alabama and wants to help find a solution. Take your sweet canine to the food truck today, and benefit the local pup community in the process!
Like your favorite food trucks on Facebook, follow them on Instagram, or call to find out where they’ll be this week for a tasty bite on the streets of Birmingham. Make sure you tell them StyleBlueprint sent you!
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