4 Unusual Curbside Cuisines You Must Try

Within the last few years, food trucks have emerged as the new trend for hungry adventurers who want to grab a bite on the go. Taco trucks have always been a popular and cheap favorite, especially in areas of California with concentrated Latin American populations. But now that smart phones are everywhere, giving instant access to Twitter, GPS, and the web in general, tracking down truck location is easier then ever and the mobile food business is a boomin'.

Entrepreneurs and rising chefs caught on to the convenience of the meals on wheels and brought food trucks to the forefront of hip, new food trends as described in this NY Times piece. The street food vendor competition has gotten heavy, and now old school gyro carts are competing with upscale, organic grass-fed beef burger trucks with cool logos and savvy websites.

Because the trucks have become so popular, owners are pulling out all the stops to get their food truck some attention, including trying bizarre combinations of ingredients, inventing wacky concepts, or even narrowing their menu down to one famous dish. Below are 6 unusual food trucks that have garnered attention in their local cities for inventive takes on curbside cuisine:

1. Chi-lantro

This Korean-Mexican fusion truck in Austin, Texas lives by the city’s slogan “Keep Austin Weird,” combining authentically Korean flavors like kimchi and bulgogi with Mexican seasoning like cilantro and corn. Menu items include tofu tacos with soy vinaigrette ($2) and kimchi fries ($6). This food is anything but boring.

2.  The Southern Mac and Cheese Truck

Chicagoans are known for many delicious foods that involve packing on the cheese (deep dish, anyone?) and now they have one more fun way to show the love for cheesy comfort food. The Southern Mac and Cheese truck has four different kinds of macaroni and cheese at the moment, including cheddar cheese with hot dogs and sun-dried tomato pasta with caramelized onions.

3. Curry Up Now

Bay Area Indian-Mexican food truck Curry Up Now serves traditional Indian flavors done right mixed with some Mexican inspiration. Most people might immediately be skeptical of Indian food in a truck (Indian food on its own can bring about enough gastrointestinal misery) but the food is excellent, the prices affordable, and who can resist tandoori chicken tacos?

4. Tabor

Portland’s own Tabor food truck serves up Czech food, which is pretty uncommon in a world dominated by Mexican camions (except obviously IN the Czech Republic). Get acquainted with some eastern European treats like their famous goulash or even their “snitzelwich” made with a fried piece of chicken or pork topped with a hint of horseradish, paprika red pepper sauce, grilled onions and lettuce on a big fluffy roll ($6).

Here's a delicious taco recipe to get your brain pumping for the next food truck concept:

Grilled Fish Soft Tacos

Photos by Flickr user larryjh1234 and Dave Kleinschmidt