10 Best Food Trucks Near Raleigh, NC
June 25th, 2024
Best Food Trucks Near Raleigh
Are you looking for the best food trucks near Raleigh, NC? Here are ten great food trucks serving various cuisines in Raleigh!
Food trucks are found all over the country and are mostly located on city streets. These mobile restaurants on wheels are typically operated out of a trailer or large motorized vehicle and are a great way for people to try new cuisine and support local businesses.
Raleigh is a growing city that is home to 285 food trucks, and the number keeps rising as more people move to the area and decide to open a business. Found throughout the Triangle region, many food trucks in the area serve various cuisines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
No matter what you might be craving, there is probably a food truck for that. While some food trucks have permanent locations, others can be found driving around town and parked outside of breweries, hospitals, and parks.
Similar to brick-and-mortar restaurants, food trucks typically offer smaller menus and are a great option if you want to get food fast and on the go. If you live in the Raleigh area, you have probably already seen a few food trucks here and there or have been a customer.
While some food trucks are new and are just getting started, others have been serving the area for quite some time and have made a name for themselves among the locals.
Check out these top ten popular food trucks near Raleigh
Chapters
1. Buoy Bowls
Address: 1600 Olive Chapel Road #608, Apex, NC 27502
Hours: 11 AM to 3 PM daily
Food Served: Acai bowls, pitaya bowls, and smoothies
Buoy Bowls is the first acai bowl food truck in the Raleigh area that is based out of Apex. Serving acai bowls, pitaya bowls, and smoothies, Buoy Bowls always offers fast and friendly service.
With five food trucks in the area, Buoy Bowls is always driving to new locations and has become a favorite among the locals for its healthy and fresh menu items.
Food is frequently served in front of local gyms, hospitals, shopping centers, and small businesses; check the schedule on the Buoy Bowls website for more information about where to find a truck during the week.
Since these food trucks have seen much success, Buoy Bowls will be opening a location at Morgan Street Food Hall in Downtown Raleigh soon, which will make it easy for customers to order their favorite bowls and smoothies.
2. Cousins Maine Lobster
Address: 411 W Morgan Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: 11 AM to 8 PM Thursday through Sunday
Food Served: Maine lobster
Cousins Maine Lobster is a unique food truck that serves authentic Maine lobster to Raleigh neighborhoods. With a food truck that travels around the Triangle area and a permanent location in Downtown Raleigh's Morgan Street Food Hall, there are more ways than one to enjoy premium lobster.
With a menu featuring lobster rolls, sandwiches, salads, bisque, chowder, and other specialties, including lobster tots and lobster tacos, this is the perfect food truck to check out for all things lobster.
Family-owned and nationally recognized, Cousins Maine Lobster has food trucks all over the country. The Raleigh food truck is known to appear at local breweries, parks, and neighborhoods. Check the schedule online.
3. Curry in a Hurry
Address: 411 W Morgan Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Food Served: Authentic Indian cuisine
Curry in a Hurry is a popular food truck in Raleigh. It has a storefront in Downtown Raleigh's Morgan Street Food Hall and at Terminal Two at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Best known for serving delicious and authentic Indian cuisine, Curry in a Hurry is owned by award-winning chef Alaksha Surti.
With a menu full of classic dishes, including Butter Chicken, Curry, and, of course, Naan, make sure to check the updated location schedule for your chance to enjoy these Indian dishes for yourself in the Raleigh area.
4. Arepa Culture
Address: 6274 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
Hours: 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 8 PM Sunday
Food Served: Venezuelan cuisine
Arepa Culture is an award-winning food truck in Raleigh known for serving classic Venezuelan dishes. Family-owned and operated, this top-rated truck offers great service and gluten-free menu items.
An arepa is a traditional Venezuelan food made from scratch daily with only three ingredients. It is a gluten-free white cornmeal bread filled with a variety of ingredients.
Inspired by Latin American culture, Arepa Culture's food is made from fresh ingredients, locally sourced, and handmade. Established in 2014, It was the first Arepa food truck in the Triangle and has since expanded into a brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Raleigh.
5. Belgian Waffle Crafters
Address: Fuquay-Varina, NC
Food Served: Belgian waffles with sweet and savory toppings
Do you love all things Belgian waffles? Look no further than Belgian Waffle Crafters, a food truck based out of Fuquay-Varina. This unique food truck is the first of its kind in the Triangle and is among the only breakfast food trucks in the area.
Belgian waffles are a waffle variety that has a lighter batter and larger squares. With a price range from $5 to $10, the menu features sweet and savory toppings and a make-your-own waffle option.
From fresh fruit to Nutella, this waffle food truck has everything you could ever ask for as a waffle topping. Belgian Waffle Crafters normally has a full schedule and can be found at locations all over the Triangle. They are also available for catering and private events. Contact Belgian Waffle Crafters for more information.
6. Hollywood Taco Shop
Address: 1711 Walnut Street, Cary, NC 27511
Food Served: Tacos
Tacos are one of the best-selling food truck menu items, and Hollywood Taco Shop does them just right. Based out of the Raleigh suburb of Cary, this local taco truck specializes in Southern California Mexican food, and its menu items are absolutely delicious.
Plenty of menu options are available, from tacos to burritos, and this taco shop is known to appear at events, breweries, wineries, and in front of local businesses. The Hollywood Taco Shop location schedule can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Street Food Finder.
7. Baltic Bites
Food Served: Lithuanian cuisine
Baltic Bites is a Raleigh food truck serving fresh and healthy Lithuanian food. Family-owned and operated, Baltic Bites is the first Lithuanian food truck in the country and has been making customers happy since its opening in 2018.
Featuring a menu full of delicious entrees, sides, and desserts, all dishes are authentic and made with quality ingredients. Baltic Bites has partnerships with many businesses throughout the Triangle, including Cotton House Brewery, Fortnight Brewery, Vicious Fishes Brewery, and Bond Brothers Brewing Company.
If you want to try Lithuanian cuisine, this food truck is a great place to start. Check the schedule online or book the truck for a private event to cater a wedding or corporate party.
8. Havana Spin Cuban Cuisine
Address: 3300 Ten Ten Road, Cary, NC 27518
Hours: 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM Monday, closed Tuesday, 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM Wednesday through Friday, 11 AM to 4 PM Saturday, and 11 AM to 3 PM Sunday
Food Served: Authentic Cuban cuisine
Havana Spin Cuban Cuisine is a local food truck in Cary that specializes in authentic Cuban food. Owned and made by Cubans, the head cook, Ramon, makes everything on the menu with love and care.
Founded in 2023, Havana Spin Cuban Cuisine opened on Ten Ten Road in Cary near the Kildaire Farm Road intersection and has become a popular spot among local residents.
One of the most popular items on the menu is the Cuban sandwich, making this a great place to stop for lunch. If you are short on time, you can place orders ahead of time online. Outdoor seating is available in front of the food truck.
9. Mr. A's Beignets
Address: 312 S Mason Street, Apex, NC 27502
Hours: 8 AM to 1 PM Friday and Saturday
Food Served: New Orleans-style beignets
Do you love coffee and donuts? Mr. A's Beignets is a bakery on the go and food truck serving chicory coffee and New Orleans-style Beignets, which are French-style donuts.
Located out of Apex, this food truck is the best place in town to get beignets, which are traditionally eaten for breakfast or as a dessert. Established in 2015, Mr. A's Beignets is a popular food truck in the Triangle and features a menu of traditional and specialty beignets, hot beverages, and cold beverages.
Owned and operated by Arlton Cangelosi, originally from New Orleans, Mr. A's Beignets sources beignet mix and coffee straight from Louisiana. Each batch is made on-site and served fresh and hot.
10. Dampf Good BBQ
Address: 6800 Good Hope Church Road, Cary, NC 27519
Hours: 11 AM to 7 PM Thursday, 11 AM to 7 PM Friday, 10:45 AM to 6 PM Saturday
Food Served: Texas barbeque
Dampf Good BBQ is a Cary food truck best known for its Texas craft barbeque and classic sides. It serves a variety of meats, including brisket and pulled pork, which can be made into sandwiches or served in a 1/2-pound order.
Some of the best sides on the menu include smoked macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, elote, and loaded mashed potato salad. For a sweet treat, do not forget to order banana pudding.
Owned and operated by two brothers, Nick and Bryce Dampf, this barbeque food truck was established in 2020 and launched in 2021. Dampf Good BBQ aims to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Triangle as the business grows.
Methodology
We used data and information from local Raleigh food trucks, Roaming Hunger, and Street Food Finder to determine the best food trucks near Raleigh, NC.
FAQs
How many food trucks are in Raleigh, NC?
There are 285 food trucks and carts serving various cuisines in the Raleigh-Durham area. They can be found outside museums, coffee shops, breweries, parks, public pools, and local events.
What are the most popular food truck foods?
The most popular foods sold at food trucks include burgers, pizza, tacos, grilled cheese sandwiches, burritos, and loaded fries.
How much do food trucks pay for locations?
Typically, food trucks pay for locations to provide services, and these fees vary widely depending on where they park and set up shop. Depending on the city, monthly food truck parking rates range between $500 and $1,000. Attending an event could cost just as much.
Best Food Trucks Near Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts
From New Orleans-style beignets to authentic Indian cuisine, many food trucks near Raleigh are known for their friendly service and delicious menu items.
If you are a vegetarian or have a food allergy, most food trucks are accomodating and feature freshly made food that everyone will enjoy. Whether you have just moved to Raleigh or grown up in the area, food trucks are a great option and can be found at different locations daily.
Contact the experts at Raleigh Realty if you are ready to find your dream home in Raleigh and are excited to explore the many food trucks found throughout the city.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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