Food trucks have become such a prominent fixture of the foodie scene that studies were conducted on the phenomenon, including a recent one published in the British Food Journal in 2022 entitled: “Attracting the millennial customer: the case of food trucks.” At the end of the day, people flock to food carts because they are authentic, original, run by friendly and personable staff, and they serve food that can rival top-rated restaurants.

In this list of the most popular food trucks in Columbus, we wanted to tick all those boxes and then some. The trucks we’ve selected cover a wide range of cuisines and are scattered throughout the city, so you are likely to find one near you. And no, they’re not just for millennials!

These spots are great for all ages, so don’t hesitate to take your reluctant friends and family members there to show them that, yes, food truck meals can indeed be fantastic!

Pitabilities Food Trucks Headquarters

Do you want to grab lunch on a busy day or cater to a large group for a special event (yes, even weddings with over 100 guests)? Pitabilities Food Trucks Headquarters can do it all with incredible Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, including gyros, falafel, shawarma, feta cheese, and olives, without forgetting gluten-free and vegan options.

Go classic with the Greek Gyro (grilled onions, feta, Bella sauce, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and kalamata olives), or get the Veggie which also includes mushrooms, hummus, and banana peppers.) You won’t want to miss the Feta Fries and Falafel Balls! For drinks, you can choose between Boylan’s Soda, made with real cane sugar, La Croix flavored sparkling water, and bottled water.

Los Agavez Taqueria

Los Agavez is not just one of the best Mexican restaurants around, it is also one of the most popular food trucks in Columbus among all the cuisines the city has to offer. Don’t leave without trying Birria Tacos with its flavors of adobo, chiles, and garlic, the Al Pastor Tacos and the Vegetable Burrito loaded with black beans, veggies, and the smooth, salty flavor of queso mozzarella.

Exotic Latin Grill

A popular spot with the late-night crowd, Exotic Latin Grill specializes in dishes like arepas or ground maize dough filled with delectable blends and cooked to perfection. Try the Baleada Latina with beans, avocado, cheese, sour cream, and egg, or the Arepa Rellena, filled with meat, onions, tomato, cilantro, and cheese.

SLAB Food Truck

If tender fall-off-the-bone ribs, wings, burgers, and fresh-cut fries are making your mouth water, head over to SLAB Food Truck. Their loyal customers rave about the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, the creamy Macaroni and Cheese, and the Slow Roasted Rib Dip with Havarti, toasted Bolillo bread, and pork jus for dipping.

Even their salads are substantial and loaded with flavor, like the Fried Chicken Salad with tomato, red onion, bacon, croutons, and white cheddar. One bite and you will understand why SLAB is one of the most popular food trucks in Columbus!

Tacomania Food Truck

The Tacomania Food Truck staff dishes out top-rated Mexican food that’s hot, fresh, and delicious. And if you have dietary preferences and need something made just for you, they’ll do it with a smile.

You won’t regret sinking your teeth into their Al Pastor Tacos, their Burrito Loco filled with Asada, pastor, and chorizo with rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, grilled onions, and lettuce, and their Chicharron Con Nopales quesadillas. And yes, they have hot, fragrant Churros for dessert!

ClusterTruck – Columbus

At ClusterTruck, the food is so fresh that they don’t even start cooking it until your delivery driver is en route. Just order online, track your food on their website, and get everything handed to you by friendly and dedicated delivery people.

Try the Chipotle Cheese Steak filled heartily with shaved beef flank, swiss cheese, peppers, onions, and Chipotle ranch dressing, the Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese finished with a crispy parmesan crust, or the Blackened Mahi Sandwich (two pieces of mahi-mahi lightly dusted in Cajun seasoning and topped with Arugula, tomatoes, pickled onions, and lemon garlic aioli)

Zapata’s

One taste of Zapata’s tacos and you will find yourself driving out of your way just to get some. The Zapata’s Special Tacos are made with three fresh and tender corn tacos topped with steak, onion, cheese, green peppers, and avocados and the Birria Tacos Tijuana Style are loaded with their delicious slow-cooked birria shredded beef, cheese, cilantro, onion, diced radishes and freshly squeezed lime juice with a side of consomme dipping sauce.

They also have Street Fries, Quesadillas, and Birria Ramen Soup, which combines two widely beloved foods: slowed-cooked shredded beef with ramen noodles, cilantro, onions, and their amazing consomme. It is easily one of the most popular food trucks in Columbus.

Ray Ray’s Hog Pit Clintonville

Are you looking for a legendary barbecue? If so, Ray Ray’s Hog Pit is for you. This family of food trucks in Central Ohio has attracted dedicated fans thanks to its old-school smoke with new-school magic. You can get their award-winning barbecue hardwood smoked daily via their drive-thru, walk-up, and online ordering system, and they cater to special events too.

Can’t decide what to order? You can’t go wrong with the Meatsweats Box (smoked brisket, pulled pork, jerk chicken, dry rubbed ribs, and Ray Ray’s hot link, with pickles and sauce), the Cauliflower Burnt Ends (vegetarian smoked cauliflower with a choice of spicy jerk or jalapeño BBQ sauce with red slaw), and their amazing sides including Pit Baked Beans, Mac & Cheese, and Collard Greens.

Taesty’s Food Truck

Be sure to show up hungry at Taesty’s Food Truck, where you’ll indulge in generous portions of the best of Southern comfort food. Think Loaded Fresh Cut Fries with pulled pork, mac and cheese, barbecue sauce, Wagyu Beef Sliders, and Carolina Style Cole Slaw. And to round things up, the truck is run by some of the friendliest people around. Don’t miss it!

Chef Hīrō Food Truck

One of the most popular chefs in Columbus, Chef Hīrō strives to create amazing dishes with flavors from different cultures and fuse them together to create a totally new experience every time. His food truck has become so sought-after that he is opening new ones in Atlanta, Tampa, and Los Angeles.

Customers travel long distances to indulge in his Lamb Chops Special, served with a side of cranberry red beans, rice, and grilled pineapple. If you’re plant-based (or not!), you will love the Luffy Pineapple Bowl, where a fresh pineapple bowl is filled with cranberry red beans and rice, two proteins of your choice (including vegan fish and sausage), tomatoes, cilantro, cheese, and HIRO sauce.

Be sure to follow their Instagram and Facebook pages for pop-up hours.

Hot Mess Food Truck

Hot Mess Food Truck is one of the best additions to Center St Market, being one of the most popular food trucks in Columbus. You won’t be disappointed with their hearty, satisfying American food!

The Double Bacon Burger is juicy, full of flavor, and loaded with bacon, jalapeño, cheddar, bourbon bacon jam, lettuce, bbq sauce, and onion rings. The Voodoo Fries are smothered in spicy seasoning, chipotle, creamy cilantro dressing, queso fresco, and scallions. And the Fried Bologna sandwich comes with Jarlsberg cheese, brown mustard, lettuce, and red onion.

Cilantro Latin Bistro

Stuffed to the brim arepas, perfectly cooked meat, super fresh vegetables… What more could you want? Not much, as the crowds gathering around the Cilantro Latin Bistro food truck, can attest. With “Breakfast Favorites”, “Build Your Own Meal” options, Wraps, and other Delicious Bites, you will have plenty to choose from and come back for.

Some fan favorites include the Barbecue Bowl with grilled beef, avocado, fried yuca, garlic sausage, fried cheese, and cilantro sauce, the Perico Breakfast with arepa, Venezuelan style scramble eggs (Perico), panela cheese, and avocado, and the Vegan Wrap with guasacaca sauce, sauteed vegetables, avocado, lettuce, black beans, and corn. And don’t forget to grab a drink. We love the Ohio Berry Blend (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry,, and lime).

Royal Burger

Forget about soggy food truck fries and other disappointing experiences. One of the most popular food trucks in Columbus, Royal Burger makes food that’s fresh, hot, and absolutely praise-worthy. The only downside is that you might not be able to get burgers elsewhere after having one of theirs!

The Double Cheeseburger will amaze you with its incredible flavor from the cheese, pickles, tomato, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and onions – a classic combination maybe, but one they’ve definitely mastered. Or try the Philly Cheesesteak, Fried Mushrooms, Onion Rings, and really, anything on the menu that catches your eye.

Seven Little Sliders – Food Truck

As its name indicates, the menu at Seven Little Sliders features seven signature sliders and one special. They are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free customers and pride themselves in using the freshest local ingredients as much as they can, which is why their menu changes often.

Current favorites include the Steak Burger (fresh ground striploin, ribeye, tenderloin, sirloin, and short ribs on a toasted Kings Hawaiian sweet roll with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, choice of cheese, and Awesome Sauce), the Sausage and Peppers (Johnsonville bratwurst with sautéed Vidalia sweet onions and peppers on a mini C-Bus roll), and the Southwestern Veggie Burger (black bean, beet, toasted quinoa, oat, ground flax seed, onion, tomato and peppers with Southwestern Spices on a toasted King’s Hawaiian sweet roll with Super Slaw made with local honey).

Los Potosinos

Los Potosinos makes generously sized burritos and delicious tacos that won’t fall apart on you despite the generous amount of fillings. Don’t miss their Pollo al Carbón (rotisserie chicken), the Steak with Onions, and the Chorizo Burrito.

If you used to go there years ago, be aware that Los Potosinos changed ownership and location and is no longer on E Long Street.

Paddy Wagon

Paddy Wagon serves modern American street food with names filled with puns and a far-west vibe. It is an experience in itself and, by far, one of the most popular food trucks in Columbus!

You will find yourself going back, again and again, to indulge in their 15-to-Life Brisket Sandwich made from slow-roasted Angus beef, S’law Enforcement, steak bun, a pickle spear, and kettle-cooked chips. Kids will love the Jr. Deputy Dog, an all-beef frank hot dog served with chips, a pickle spear, an organic fruit snack, and even a Sheriff’s badge! You can read more in a recent review we did, here.

And don’t forget the Hummuscide, a roasted garlic truck-made hummus with toasted pitas and fresh veggies.

Taco Nazo (Taco Truck)

If you long for the same top-quality street food as you can find in Mexico, Taco Nazo is for you! The tacos come in Mexican style with meat, onion, and cilantro and American style with meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and cream. Both Burritos and Quesadillas come in Small and Large sizes, and they even feature Tamales on the weekends.

People rave about their sauces, so don’t hesitate to try them all!

Alebrijes

There is a long list of reasons why Alebrijes is one of the most popular food trucks in Columbus. This offbeat spot specializes in tacos, burritos, and grilled meat, but get their Torta with only veggies, and you will understand why plant-based diners love it too. While it can get busy, you can always order ahead by calling so the food is hot and ready when you get there.

Keep in mind that they are closed on the weekend and otherwise only open from 9:30am-2:00pm but it’s worth tracking them down!

Taste of Greece & Mediterranean Food Truck

Taste of Greece & Mediterranean Food Truck is where you want to go for filling portions of food that are prepared quickly and efficiently. While waiting a while for your order to be ready can be part of the charm, sometimes, you just want to get it fast!

Some of their best-rated options include the Combo Plate (chicken or lamb with fries, salad, pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and baklava) and the Greek Salad (lettuce, onions, tomatoes, banana peppers, olives, cucumber, feta cheese, and four pieces of grape leaves).

Dos Hermanos

You don’t have to go to Oaxaca to have incredible, authentic Oaxacan-style recipes made with love and the freshest local ingredients, thanks to Dos Hermanos. What started out as nothing but a food truck grew to include four brick-and-mortar locations as well.

You can’t go wrong with the Mexican Street Tacos (three soft corn tortillas filled with meat, onions, and cilantro and served with grilled jalapeño, lime wedge, and salsa), the Market Burrito (an oven-baked burrito stuffed with carnitas, sautéed vegetables, and refried beans topped with cheese and poblano and tomato salsas), and the Chicken Enchiladas (three corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken, sauteed vegetables and topped with melted cheese and poblano salsa).

2 Brothers Tacos

Few things are better than house-made tortillas and tacos loaded with flavorful sauces that somehow remain crispy until the last bite. And that’s exactly what you get at 2 Brothers Tacos.

The menu is extensive, and you will probably want to try every time as you go, but if this is your first visit, we recommend the Quesa Birria, the Mega Burrito (meat, rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, cheese, and sour cream), and the Tortas Asada loaded with steak, beans, tomatoes, onions, and jalapeno or roasted chili.

Taquería El Fogoncito

There is no shortage of Mexican food trucks in Columbus, but where Taquería El Fogoncito shines is with its Al Pastor, which boasts the perfect flavor and crispy texture. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos, tortas, huaraches, or specialities like their Chupacabras (pastor, asada, mushrooms, onions, cheese, nopal, toreado), they have everything you need to satisfy your cravings.

Don’t forget to check out their website for Specials like half-off pastor tacos on Thursdays and Torta Tuesday.

Cazuela’s Food Truck

You will have a lovely time at Cazuela’s whether you go to the food truck or the brick-and-mortar location. There are plenty of options to choose from among the Mexican-style standards and favorites, including Taco Tuesday specials.

Tacos, quesadillas, tamales, you name it, they make it – and everything comes out fresh and piping hot. Their Barbacoa and Chicken Poblano are perfectly cooked, and if you can finish their spicy Mucho Macho Burrito with super hot sauce within 20 minutes, you get it for free!

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus

If you’re craving real German food, look no further than Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, which was awarded Best Columbus Food Truck by the Columbus Dispatch and has been serving sausages to the Columbus community for decades.

Favorites include the Bahama Mama (hickory smoked beef and pork sausage with special spices), the Original Bratwurst with pure pork sausage (the first in Columbus!), and the German Knockwurst (hickory smoked beef and pork sausage with just a hint of garlic). Don’t forget to grab a Jumbo Vanilla Cream Puff for dessert! As one of the most popular food trucks in Columbus, it is a great one to pick for your catering events.

Barroluco – Argentine Comfort Food

Get transported to another world when you go to Barroluco – Argentine Comfort Food. If you aren’t sure what to get or want a nice selection of their most popular items, the Sampler is a solid choice and comes with paella, empanada, a rib, loaded French fries, and a side of chimichurri and salsa golf.

And don’t pass up their ChoriPan Sandwich (a typical Argentine sandwich made with chorizo or chicken, chimichurri, and fries) and their golden, sweet, hot Churros!