15 Must-Try Food Trucks in San Jose

The capitol of Silicon Valley has the third largest population in California (and the third largest GDP in the world), making for a town with some truly handsome options.  Specifically – for our purposes – it’s a town with some truly handsome food options, but not all of them can be found behind walls.  To grab the best of what San Jose’s cooking up, you’ve gotta take to the (very well-maintained) streets.  Below are 15 food trucks that are as rich in taste as the city is in, well, just about everything else.

1. Treatbot

The first truck on our list marries the upscale gloss of modern-day San Jose with the deep diversity of its heritage, resulting in truly sweet results that are churned daily.  Firetruck-red paint brightens the profile of the spiffy truck, which dispenses hand-churned ice cream made from scratch (featuring flavors both local and traditionally Filipino – like Cafe Sua Da).  The real kicker, however (besides the actual TASTE of this stuff), is the truck’s signature karaoke machine, which turns waiting in line into line-dancing, and puts your sugar high to great use, as you belt your ballads with confidence.

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Maple Pecan Prailine – A grounded, richly sweet scoop of decadence that hits all parts of your tongue before melting them together as one.

2. The Waffle Roost

The Waffle Roost keeps its mission very simple – to deliver the finest chicken and waffles you’ve ever tasted, in more ways than you even knew existed.  It’s a mission that’s taken very seriously, with tastes ranging from sweet (the Stack features a drizzle of honey over its chicken/bacon/egg trio) to spicy (I’m Spicy & I Know It’s got Serrano peppers to punch up its fried chicken and melted cheese) to layers of savory in-between.  No matter which you choose, you’ll be waking up to a whole lotta fluffy, fried bliss.  Especially if you’re already awake.

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2 Legit – Despite all the fancy options at your disposal, the original should still be your first stop, as fried chicken fights for elbow room with the waffle, mac & cheese and collard greens of your dreams.  Take another bite just to ensure – they’re really dreams made true.

3. Paddy Wagon Sliders

With criminal taste and a menace-to-society demand, Paddy Wagon Sliders has corrupted San Jose to its core (even the mayor’s in on it as a repeat customer), and the city’s all the better for it.  The black-and-white truck can be found at major public gatherings all over the city, dishing out delectable morsels of meat that are small in size but large in stature (just like Pablo Escobar).  The addictive nature of these sliders is matched only by the killer tots, which are drenched in layers of gourmet bliss.  Korean influence sneaks into the recipes, with galbi, kimchi and more found mixing with the truck’s more conventional seasonings.  But even if you keep it traditional, what you’ll get is far beyond – caramelized fried cheese curds turn each of these sliders into borderline art.  Just like the best crimes.

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Korean Zombie Tots – Golden-crisp perfection made all the more perfect (specifically by way of BBQ ribeye, kimchi and the truck’s signature aioli)

4. 3-3-3

3-3-3 gives you their exact equation for deliciousness right in the name – three friends, three cuisines and three options for each.  It’s a rotating menu of fusion that’s far more than the sum of its parts, with Chicken Tika Masala, Carne Asada burritos and a host of speciality tacos all on hand to fit your exact craving, whether it be Mexican, Korean, or Indian (or a playful mix of all three).  3-3-3’s been gifting San Jose their magic math since 2011, and have established themselves not just as a force to be reckoned with, but a culinary staple here, known as much for the quality of their ingredients as much as the dynamic taste.  There’s nary a drop of aioli to be found on the truck, with vegetable oils instead setting the baseline for every scratch-made dish onboard.  Altogether, it’s an equation that solves an important trifecta of your own – hunger, health and happiness.

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Spicy BBQ Pork Burrito – Also available as tacos or a rice bowl, thin-sliced pork (marinated overnight) gets seared on the flattop to lock in juices and lock out cravings.

5. Fairycakes

Launched by a lifetime baking enthusiast who decided to leave the corporate world at 40 and finally turn his passion into pay-dirt, Fairycakes quickly established itself as San Jose’s top spot for cupcake magic.  Natural (and organic whenever possible) ingredients separate Fairycakes from the rest of the pack before the recipes even factor in.  And once the recipes are factored in, the truck practically takes flight from its competition – recipes like chocolate zucchini with chocolate buttercream, maple with bacon bits and vanilla stuffed with mango.  Each of the truck’s whimsical creations can be whipped up by special order, or you can catch it floating through San Jose to grab the fresh picks of the day.  Either way, think happy thoughts and prep your mouth to go to Neverland.

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Habañero Salted Caramel Chocolate – chocolate cake stuffed with caramel, surrounded by bittersweet chocolate buttercream, and topped by sprinkles, caramel & habañero sea salt

6. Grillaz Gone Wild

Stuffed to the hilt with quite possibly the heartiest cheesesteaks you can find on the west coast, let alone San Jose, Grillaz Gone Wild is bite after bite of gourmet bliss.  The truck’s traditional Philly may be the main draw (and the one most famous around town for transporting your mouth east), but the entire roster of sandwiches is a certified dream team – from chicken to bacon to even veggie varieties.  If your craving for savory’s got your mouth all wound up, unleash Grillaz Gone Wild to stampede your tastebuds.  And hold on tight.

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Vegetarian Loaded Fries – A meatless twist on a truck classic that piles grilled mushrooms, bell peppers, hot cherry peppers and onions onto large fries, then drizzles them in sour cream before drowning the whole lot in cheddar.  It’s the guiltiest guilt-free indulgence around.

7. Takoz Mod Mex

Chef-owned and operated, Takoz Mod Mex is one food truck in full control of its vision.  That vision being updated Mexican classics, re-imagined with fused thrills in every bite.  But don’t be fooled, Takoz is still street food to its core – besides the usual tacos, tortas, burritos and quesadillas, specials like nacho fries, street dogs and churros pop up daily, giving you the tastes you crave with finer ingredients and quality than your standard taco truck can even approach.  On the higher end, elements like mole and mahi mahi pop up regularly, so if you’re craving elevated fare, Takoz has also got you handled.  But with taste this good, the concept of “refinement” kinda seems meaningless.  At the end of the day, gourmet/elevated/refined/whatever, Takoz is one serious food truck ready to handle some serious appetites.

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Steak Torta – Dressed up with chipotle aioli, cheese, avocado & arugala then slapped on a toasted telera, this is a one-handed delight meant to be eaten with two.

8. Pita & Salt

Named for an old Egyptian proverb that means sharing life and strengthening bonds, Pita & Salt has wasted no time doing just that in San Jose, with dynamic cuisine and friendly service.  Rated best Egyptian food in the whole Bay area on Yelp, it’s safe to say this food truck’s built a fanbase that’s only getting stronger by the day.  From koshary to hawawshi to a sandwich with Alexandrian sausage, there’s options aplenty that’ll settle your hunger and enliven your tastebuds.  Whatever you grab’s likely to be met with “oh my god that’s good” (old American Proverb).

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Combo Plate – Don’t settle for one when you can have both (another old American proverb).  The combo plate loads shawarma & kofta onto Basmati rice and slathers them both in special sauce, unifying all your tastebuds in one glorious haze.

9. Bruxo

One of the most unique food trucks in San Jose, Bruxo’s tough to write about for the same reason it’s easy to return to – the menu’s constantly changing.  Not just individual items but the entire concept.  Billing itself as “shapeshifting cuisine”, the truck drives between influences as disparate as Oaxacan and Vietnamese, depending on the week – and the mood of the culinary minds onboard.  Right now Bruxo can be found regularly at Humblesea Brewing in Santa Cruz, but it still pops up all over the region, doing exactly what it wants to do (whatever that may be).  The only guarantee is you’re gonna like it.

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Whatever it is, spread the word fast because it won’t last long

10. Fresh Catch Poke

Our final truck on the list is a whole lot more straightforward, but doesn’t lack a lick of sophistication.  Founded by two San Jose locals, Fresh Catch Poke delivers authentic Hawaiian charm with bowl after bowl of traditional poke.  Along with a few fused tricks like poke burritos, tacos, and even loaded fries.  Fresh Catch’s commitment to – well – fresh ingredients has resulted in massive popularity, and its usual route is now clocked well in advance by throngs of hungry (and health-conscious) fans.  They’re also one of the most reliable food trucks in San Jose, posting up-to-the-minute locations for the week so you can plan your trip well in advance (no need to cast a wide net).

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The Californian – Shoyu-flavored poke finished with avocado; diverse in texture and refreshing in flavor.

11. El Diferente Loncheria

Famed for its five-star service as much as its legendary orange sauce, El Diferente Loncheria is a food truck with a legacy to uphold in San Jose. And judging by its cultish following, it’s a legacy that’s upheld daily. El Diferente’s menu is filled with authentic Mexican street favorites, from tacos to tortas, burritos and quesadillas – and each can be customized with your choice of 13 proteins. Whether it’s asada, al pastor, pollo asado, milanesa, chorizo, carnitas, chicharrones, lengua, cabeza, tripas, fried egg, beer-battered fish or chile relleno, El Diferente’s got everyone’s taste-buds covered. In more ways than one.

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Carne Asada Burrito with Orange Sauce – As diverse and authentic as the menu runs, it’s tough to argue with the quality of the Asada. Stuff it in a burrito and smother it with the truck’s famous orange sauce to get the most classic bite possible.

12. Just Mix & Eat

San Jose’s top spot for bibimbap offers up a balanced selection of healthy and – comfortable – options, from tofu and veggies to spicy pork and curry fries, giving you a wide spread of options depending on your tastes (and appetite). Either way your cravings fall, you can count on full, wholesome flavor. It’s a simple – but far from subtle – choice for next meal that gives everyone a choice.

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Bulgogi Bibimbap – A fried egg balances the fiery bulgogi marinade and adds substance to this perfectly portioned pick-me-up.

13. Cookies N Cream

Cookies N Creme is a gourmet ice cream truck whose sweet treats are only matched by its sweet service – and its sweet commitment to the San Jose community. From sterling customer service to its ongoing contributions to local charities, Cookies N Cream is a truck that provides a lot to smile about before you even order. Then, naturally, once you do, the array of flavors (Ube to Earthquake to Chocolate Wasted and beyond) along with the fresh cookies to sandwich it in have a way of pushing that smile past its limit.

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New World Order – Caramel ice cream with fudge swirl and Oreos all combine to shatter convention and ensure total tastebud domination.

14. Feed’N’Treat

Feed’N’Treat describes their array of comforts as “non-trivial”, but it’s safe to say – that’s an understatement. The truck’s loaded assortment of savory and sweet crepes – along with waffles topped sky-high – add a lot to any celebration you’re having, day or night. Gluten and dairy-free options, along with vegan-friendly, are even on-hand to make sure no one’s tongue gets trivialized.

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Cherry Cheesecake Crepe
Cheesecake filling and juicy cherry preserve get topped with graham cracker and a hint of mint, to create a full-spectrum comfort.

15. Scratch Cookery

In case you haven’t heard, the Chicken Sandwich Wars are in full swing. But regardless of what the other guys are packing, Scratch Cookery’s here to drop the A-Bomb – at least as far as San Jose’s concerned. Their massive, (customizably) spicy chicken sandwich is so good, it regularly inspires 2 hr + lines. Of course, the easy way to avoid that is to order the whole truck itself for your next event. Head here to get started – and let us know what you do with all the extra time.

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This one should be fairly obvious.