Tampa, and its surrounding cities, are filled with some of the best food trucks in the country. The That’s So Tampa team breaks down our absolute favorites in the region for National Food Truck Day
Meli Greek Street Donuts
Meli is a two time Dessert wars champion. The small but mighty food truck specializes in sensational Loukoumades. Their fantastic special donuts have included a tasty cinnamon sugar variety, Boston cream pie, and an Oreo lover’s delight. They pop up at events all over the region, so make sure you follow on their website and Instagram to see where they’ll be serving donuts next.
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It’s a passion project for Irene Manglis, who continues to put her own unique spin on her grandmother’s donut recipe.
Flip’n Tasty
This Filipino food truck has served ube crinkle cookies, and ube cannoli at past events and they are two desserts I think about constantly. Other excelsior menu items include the addictive pork belly lumpia, savory sisig tacos, and pork adobo bowls. Their schedule is regularly posted on Instagram.
They even once whipped up a batch of ube brownies for an event and they glistening deep purple squares were almost too pretty to eat.
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Julio’s Empanadas
Julio’s is currently working on two brick and mortar locations in St. Pete. In the interim, Chef and owner Julio is serving food out of a small yellow food truck. He’s hosted pop ups in Gulfport, the Tyrone area of St. Pete, and most recently served food at Pee Pa’s Brewery in Pinellas Park. His shrimp and sofrito empanadas are some of the best we have ever had. The coco rico chicken bowls are fantastic, he also serves a flan that will blow your mind. Follow Julio’s on Instagram to see where and when the food truck will be operating.
Future restaurant locations: 7815 38th Avenue North, St. Pete, Florida; 2201 49th Street South, Gulfport, Florida.
Maxi Artisanal Empanadas
This is the food truck for our gluten-free friends. Maxi Artisanal Empanadas pops up across the Tampa Bay region, with a consistent residency outside Ferg’s Sports Bar in the EDGE District of St. Petersburg (they’re also available on UberEats when open in that location). Enjoy Buffalo chicken, shredded beef, Philly cheesesteak, mozzarella cheese, and a vegan Cuban variety.
Follow Maxi on Instagram and visit their website for a full menu. You can find them at Ferg’s (1320 Central Ave) Thursday through Sunday.
Heavy’s Food Truck
Craving big portions and bold flavors? Treat yourself to Heavy’s Food Truck. This is the epitome of good eats: treat yourself to fried pork chops, turkey wings, oxtails, ribs, beef brisket and collard greens. Heavy’s is frequently available at 911 22nd Street South in St. Pete.
Keep up with Heavy’s on Facebook and its website to see updated menus and food truck locations.
Johnny Nevadas
Johnny Nevadas specializes in Tamales, tacos, and more handcrafted Mexican street food. The food truck has been a hit since first arriving in the ‘Burg, and they now have a semi-permanent spot at Par Bar in the Grand Central District of St. Pete.
Bob Carskadon writes: “In addition to the tamales, much of what makes the food truck stand out is the pedigree of the chef behind it. Owner James Shields, who grew up in Seminole, has been an executive chef for Capital Grille, Ruth’s Chris and the Palm concepts for over 20 years. Now, Johnny Nevada’s Tamales is his passion project brought to life, serving the streets of St. Pete his handcrafted cuisine.”
La Strada
Get ready for some of the best pizzas ever from La Strada. This huge mobile kitchen is a fixture at the popular St. Pete Saturday Morning Market. The wood-fired pies offer a wonderfully soft crust, and the texture is super satisfying. The prosciutto and truffle oil pizza is a god-tier pie, for sure. They also offer a revelatory burger.
Follow La Strada on Instagram to see where the food truck will go next.
Baton Roux
Baton Roux offers authentic Louisiana Cajun cuisines. Taste shrimp Poboy with creole remoulade sauce, Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo, Willie Mae’s Bread Pudding with butter rum sauce, and of course the beignets are all major menu highlights. See the full schedule on their Instagram.
Looking for big food truck events on the horizon? Visit Florida Penguin Productions and Gulf to Bay Food Truck Association for upcoming events.
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- Sunda New Asian now open in Midtown Tampa
- Predalina opens this July in Water Street
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