10 Essential San Francisco Food Trucks for Summer

Food trucks may have been considered a fad in the early days, but it's pretty clear that they're not going away anytime soon. From creative takes on vegan food to a Filipino/Mexican mashup, this city's food trucks know no limits. So, now that the days are longer and the weather might be summery (every now and then), head out to the street for some adventurous food. For those not looking for a scavenger hunt, check out one of Off the Grid's many food truck gatherings or head over to SoMA StrEat Food Park to find everything in one place.

Didn't see your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

The chairman

[Photo: The Chairman]

The Chairman provides hungry food truck patrons with steamed buns with pork belly and pickled Daikon radishes, spicy chicken with toasted sesame purée and pickled carrots-cucumber. Order your buns steamed or baked, they're made fresh every day at the family's restaurant that's been in San Francisco for over 40 years.

Track them down here.

hella vegan eats

[Photo: Hella Vegan Eats]

Vegans and meat-eaters alike will find something to try from this eccentric menu. Potsticker burritos and a beet-kamut burger with vegan doughnut buns are part of the allure of this roaming truck.

Track them down here.

Del Popolo

[Photo: Del Popolo]

This lovely marvel of modern machinery is a huge, mobile pizza oven housed in a former shippin container— on wheels. It churns out Neapolitan-style pizzas with seasonal toppings like asaparagus with green garlic pesto, or the classic Margherita.

Track them down here.

Señor Sisig

[Photo: Señor Sisig]

This truck fuses together the delights of a Mexican taqueria with a popular Filipino "happy hour dish" called sisig. For more authentic flavors, Tosilog burrito rolls up Filipino Sweet Pork, adobo garlic rice, fresh tomatoes with a fried egg and a side of peppered vinegar; meanwhile the California burrito is not messing around, stuffing French fries, shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo into a tortilla.

Track them down here.

Little Green Cyclo

[Photo: Little Green Cyclo]

This bright green truck serves up fresh Vietnamese favorites like banh mi stuffed with lemongrass grilled pork or homemade paté with truffle oil and pork roll and garlic noodles with pork. They can also be found at The Hall on Market St.

Track them down here.

Bacon Bacon

[Photo: Bacon Bacon]

Bacon on stuff, bacon in stuff and also, just... bacon. Snag a bouquet of bacon for your lover (or just eat it yourself) form this black-clad truck.

Track them down here.

Mayo & Mustard

[Photo: Custom Vehicle Wraps/Yelp]

While food trucks are pushing the envelope of street food these days (Bacon bouquets? Potsticker burrito?), sometimes a good ol' fashioned sandwich is still the best option for lunch. However, the turkey club on a Dutch crunch offers a sneak-attack of flavors and textures.

Track them down here.

Lobsta Truck

[Photo: Roaming Hunger]

The Lobsta Truck is a crustacean-focused affair, offering lobster and crab rolls, savory lobster bisque and other New England fare like Cape Cod chips. Snag a freshly-squeezed lemonade and imagine you're in the Northeast, which is probably nice this time of year.

Track them down here.

The Boneyard

[Photo: The Boneyard]

The Boneyard is a bonanza of smoked meats, featuring brisket nachos, bbq bowls and the "pulled over," a sandwich with pulled pork, cole slaw, spicy bacon aioli and a fried egg. The Bay Area's not known for its BBQ, but this truck will satisfy the itch of many a meat-lover.

Track them down here.

FK FROZEN KUHSTERD

[Photo: Frozen Kuhsterd]

Their claim to fame as the first frozen custard truck in California is overshadowed by an immense menu of flavors. What is custard, if not a vessel for flavors like Four Barrel Coffee, yuzu sake, matcha and salt and pepper potato chip? Top it off with some sprinkles, condensed milk or burnt caramel for a truly summery, feel-good treat.

Track them down here.