Austin’s reputation as a major foodie destination comes from numerous well-deserved sources, but the city’s food truck phenomenon sets it apart from other American metropolises with an impressive culinary scene. It’s difficult to stroll through any Austin neighborhood without passing several brightly-colored trucks hawking an eclectic range of local and global fare, but if you want to focus your food-truck explorations in one neighborhood, East Austin will prove the most engaging. 

Known as one of Austin’s most rapidly-changing and expanding areas, East Austin features stylish bars, chic independent shops, and a growing population of creatives and trendsetters. The area hosts dozens of food trailers in dedicated parks, on the back patios of bars and coffee shops, and even just laying claim to sidewalk-adjacent street parking. Here, you’ll find a list of seven East Austin food trucks—both neighborhood classics and newcomers—that are well worth a visit.

East Sixth Friendly Spot photo by Shutterstock

Veracruz All Natural

Arguably the best breakfast taco in Austin, Veracruz All Natural’s Migas Originales taco, which consists of scrambled eggs, crumbled tortilla chips, Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro, tomato, onion and avocado, appears on all of its food truck menus, including its East Austin location on East Cesar Chavez Street. Veracruz’s fresh ingredients and brilliant taco-prep techniques make it a true East Side classic serving up authentic Mexican cuisine.

Micklethwait Craft Meats

If Austin can be defined by any one food item, barbecue brisket undoubtedly claims that title. While excellent purveyors of smoked meat can be found throughout the city, one of the most highly acclaimed practitioners, Micklethwait Craft Meats, operates out of a food truck in East Austin.

Famous for their brisket, their house-made sausages, and their surprisingly wonderful dessert selection (the buttermilk pie is a particular hit), Micklethwait parks its trailer in a small lot off of Rosewood Avenue, outfitted with wooden picnic tables to accommodate large groups of patrons who descend on a daily basis to sample Micklethwait’s delicious offerings.

Paperboy

Austin brunch enthusiasts have plenty of positive things to say about Paperboy, an East 11th Street trailer specializing in artisanal morning eats. The food truck lot features a small number of cafe tables, giving customers the option to take their food to-go or stay and eat. Paperboy serves up coffee from Dallas roaster Tweed Coffee, along with classic dishes like Texas Hash with sweet potatoes, pork shoulder, peppers, onions, and a poached egg, or Cinnamon Toast with mascarpone cheese.

Baton Creole

Many Austin food trucks take up residence on the back patios of local drinking dens, and East Austin’s Baton Creole serves as a prime example. Parked behind the beloved dive bar Shangri-La, Baton Creole offers bold Cajun dishes inspired by the Louisiana bayou, including classics like chicken and sausage gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and “Cajun Poutine” waffle fries smothered in brie and housemade blackened gravy.

Sauce Odyssey

A relative newcomer to East Austin’s food truck scene, Sauce Odyssey, a brand dedicated to small-batch condiments and sauces, sets up their trailer in the backyard of Revival Coffee on East 7th Street. The flavor wizards at Sauce Odyssey create their own globally-influenced spreads and dips and offer a menu of seasonal dishes designed to highlight their sauces, like roasted carrots with creamy pesto, tater tots with romesco sauce, and nachos with fresh queso.

Dee Dee

Dee Dee, which means “Good Good,” is an East Austin-based food truck that was started by husband-and-wife team Chef Lakana and Justin Trubiana. Born and raised in the northern countryside of Thailand, Lakana learned how to cook with the freshest and best ingredients from her homeland. Located on East 6th Street, Dee Dee is a foodie paradise that specializes in authentic Northern Thai street food, featuring full-sized entrees and small plates freshly prepared by Chef Lakana.

Some of their flavorful dishes include a spicy minced pork with homemade Thai chili powder, tofu stir-fry cooked with Northern Thai spices, and tempura-fried papaya and carrot with sweet and sour sauce. Visitors can enjoy their meal to-go or use the food truck’s on-site picnic tables.

Curcuma

Fans of holistic, plant-based drinks and dishes will find a lot to love about Curcuma, an Ayurvedic food trailer on East Cesar Chavez Street. Curcuma’s all-organic, all-vegan, gluten-free menu includes trendy options like Golden Mylk (coconut milk with turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, Himalayan pink salt, black pepper, and medjool dates) and CBD Hemp Mint Cacao Popsicles. All of these ethical and nutritional items boast impressive depth of flavor in addition to their energy-giving properties. Even if you’re not a “health food” person, Curcuma is worth a visit.