This time last year, there were only 2 food trucks in Dallas and a smattering of food trucks or trailers in Fort Worth. The ramp-up of rolling cuisine started in May 2011 when several new food trucks hit the streets in Dallas. Let’s look at how the market has progressed and what food items we are missing.
I’ll include Dallas, Fort Worth, and the Mid-Cities because the food trucks constantly shift through the whole area. Dallas-based food trucks venture into Fort Worth’s area and, usually for special events, the Mid-Cities and Fort Worth food trucks roll into Dallas. Currently I am tracking around 83 food trucks/trailers/mobile ovens. That includes 59 that are definitively rolling and serving, 7 that are coming soon, 7 that I’ve classified as “unknown” (they say they are coming soon, but the background does not check out or, they were once active, but now seem to have stopped serving), and 10 that are pretty much dead. You never know when they might restart or sell the business.
I’ve also classified them loosely by cuisine. I’ve included what we have now and what is launching in the very near future.
NY Deli Sandwiches ● English ● Seafood ● Sushi ● Shaved Ice ● Sliders (2) ● Tacos (2) ● Vegetarian ● Cupcakes (3) ● American (2) ● Everything Bacon ● Korean Fusion ● Pizza (5) * ● Ice Cream (2) ● Upscale Gourmet (3) ● Burgers (5) ● Vietnamese banh mi ● Bakery (3) ● Hot Dogs (4) ● Fried Pies ● MoGa ** ● Comfort Bistro Food ● Baked Potato ● Baja Tacos ● Grilled Cheese (2) ● Cajun ● Salvadoran ● Philly Cheesesteaks ● Gluten-Free/Vegetarian ● Italian (2) ● Whoopie Pies ● Nachos ● Cuban
And what I count as “dead”:
BBQ ● Burgers ● Cupcakes (2) ● Frozen Yogurt ● Grilled Cheese ● South African ● Tacos (2) ● Upscale Gourmet ● Vegetarian ● Brats ● Burritos ● Comfort Food ● Nachos
* includes Cavalli and il cane rosso’s mobile ovens
** MoGa = molecular gastronomy
So I ask you: What are we missing in DFW? Have you been to Austin, LA, or Portland and found street fare that you’d love to see rolling on our streets?
