Baltimore Food Truck Guide

The area’s mobile food scene just keeps on trucking—and resident expert Willy Dely is on a mission to highlight everything that it has to offer.

“I want to remove the stereotype of food trucks only selling grilled cheese,” says Dely, former chief marketing officer for Kooper’s Restaurant Group. “We’re far beyond that. We have trucks that have been on national television. There’s such quality here.”

Dely started delving into the local food truck industry when Kooper’s launched its signature burger wagon in 2009, and has since become even more invested as a special advisor to the Maryland Mobile Food Vending Association, and a board member of the National Food Truck Association. He now owns consulting firm Au Jus Solutions, which helps local food businesses market their products.

“A lot of people are migrating to food trucks because they see it as a smaller investment than a finer restaurant,” he says. “But people don’t know what the food truck business is really about. It’s not just looking at numbers. You have to be organized, and have great customer and cooking skills. It’s all hands on everything.”

Dely’s passion for the area’s kitchens-on-wheels is what prompted him to organize the inaugural Baltimore Food Truck Week, which will run in Charm City and surrounding counties November 6-12. He says that the timing of the event is strategic, as food truck business typically slows down during the colder months.

Not only will the week be an opportunity for foodies to grab lunch or dinner from their favorite trucks at various hubs and business parks (Dely is encouraging chefs to offer special dishes and pairings), but it will also boast a handful of events to celebrate the breadth of the mobile vending scene.

Among the gatherings to look forward to will be a food truck-inspired wine supper at Gramercy Mansion benefitting TasteWise Kids on November 9, a Remington rally celebrating The Baltimore Whiskey Company’s second birthday on November 12, and a signature Baltimore Food Truck Week festival in Patterson Park on Friday, November 10. The main event will feature live music, local beer and spirits, and eats from more than 20 trucks.

Above all, Dely is enthusiastic about spotlighting the diversity of the mobile vendors—akin to what the bi-annual Baltimore Restaurant Week does for brick-and-mortar businesses during the summer and winter.

“We have talent,” he says. “I want to see people blown away by what they didn’t think a food truck could produce.”

In an effort to break down all of the options, we’ve rounded up a list of the top trucks in Baltimore, though not all will be participating in Baltimore Food Truck Week. (Participants are indicated with an asterisk.) From pizza and pasta to crab cakes and calzones, these mouthwatering mobiles offer plenty of options to satisfy on-the-go hunger pangs.

Veteran Vendors

Crossroads Bistro: Keep your eyes peeled for this mobile kitchen that serves fun takes on worldly fare—like Irish Reuben quesadillas, Greek salad spring rolls, and Hawaiian pulled pork tacos.*410-477-6000

Cruisin Cafe: You’ve probably spotted this veteran vendor posted up a various local festivals throughout the years. The crabby fries are a must, but the menu also lists standouts like fried shrimp baskets and chipotle burgers.443-744-1764

Greek on the Street: If the pita wraps and chargrilled lamb chops aren’t enough to tempt you, catch a whiff of the Greek fries—tossed with lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, and hunks of feta cheese.* 443-463-9544

Gypsy Queen: Two words: crab cones. Gypsy Queen keeps the praise coming with its gyros, wraps, and signature handheld waffle cones filled with French fries and topped with a crab cake.*410-905-9954

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood: You can’t go wrong with the crab-inspired snacks (think crab soup, fries, pretzels, and cakes) from this Dundalk institution, whose food truck frequents everywhere from Harbor Point to Owings Mills.*410-633-4040

The Jolly Pig: Pulled pork reigns supreme at this pink truck, which prides itself on its mix-and-match taco options. Try the “Jamaican Jerk” (spicy pulled pork with pineapple salsa), “Carolina” (southern pulled pork with creamy coleslaw), or the Korean barbecue tacos topped with spicy sauce, scallions, and Asian slaw.*410-984-5789   

Koco Truck: Track down this truck to satisfy all of your Korean cravings. The menu lists traditional bibimbap bowls, bulgogi (marinated beef) burritos, and japchae—a classic glass noodle stir-fry dish.*443-285-1841

Kooper’s Chowhound Burger Wagon: You can’t go wrong with a classic burger and fries from this longtime favorite, which tops its patties with everything from bacon and cheddar to mushrooms and aioli.* 410-563-5423.

Pasta La Vista Baby: From traditional antipasti to hearty meatball subs, this kitchen on wheels boasts a bevy of Boot Country bites. The pasta dishes particularly shine, with options including penne marinara and mushroom ravioli with gorgonzola cheese.* 410-693-4190 

Pizza di Joey: Owner Joey Vanoni’s pizzeria-on-wheels is an homage to the neighborhood joints he grew up frequenting with his family in New Jersey. Not only does the business produce a plethora of pies, but it also promotes a mission of employing veterans. 732-585-8911

The Smoking Swine: Chef L. Drew Pumphrey’s fingerlickin’ fare landed him a segment on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Drives last year. Look out for the silver truck to chow down on pulled pork, ribs, and a signature macaroni and cheese topped with Goldfish crackers. 410-869-2554