Meet the chefs at Fort Worth’s favorite food trucks in our Readers’ Choice 2024 poll
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Fort Worth has hundreds of fantastic food trucks, most of them small mom-and-pop operations whose owners pour their hearts and souls into dishing up creative, inspired cuisines in their four-wheel kitchens.
With so many to choose from, the Star-Telegram set out to discover Fort Worth’s most popular food trucks with our Readers’ Choice poll. We took your nominations — more than 300 of them — and launched five rounds of voting on star-telegram.com.
After more than 78,000 total votes, we have our winner: Luckybee Kitchen, a boutique truck whose chef turns out gorgeous creations adorned with edible flowers.
We spent time with the owner, Jenny Castor, to learn more about what makes Luckybee so popular. We also visited the four other food trucks that were finalists in our poll: Taco Vibe, Oh Balls!, Flores Home Cooking and Plaka’s Greek Kitchen. And of course, we just had to sample all the menus!
Congratulations to our winner and finalists, as well as the rest of the 42 food trucks nominated by our readers. You’ll find more below on each of these popular destinations, from spicy taco trucks and four-wheel BBQ smokers to inspired Caribbean fare and Cajun delights.
First place: Luckybee Kitchen
Luckybee Kitchen’s gray and gold truck rolls in and guests know they are in for a treat.
What makes this food truck different is the menu. It is never the same. The boutique truck is a kitchen laboratory of chef Jenny Castor. It is a celebration of her creativity — a paean to beautiful food and complex flavors.
“I didn’t know how to cook at all,” Castor told the Star-Telegram about her origins as a kitchen general.
Castor has created over 4,000 plates in the last eight years. “I try not to do the same dish ever twice,” Castor said. “I’ll change minor details in dishes so none are the exact same.”
Her ingredients always come from multiple sources. She will shop at the local farmers markets and grab specialty ingredients from Central Market. Her style makes for dishes that are smaller with an eye for details — Castor’s favorite part of cooking.
Visually, Luckybee’s plates are complete creations. Every dish is garnished with edible flowers. One dish is a flower — the aptly named Tempura Sunflower. The dish is made by frying a sunflower, stems on, and garnished with a sweet Asian-inspired glazed and wasabi sesame seeds.
Castor’s first recognition came early. In 2017, right after she bought the truck, she entered the Decatur Eighter Food Truck Challenge. She made a Monte Cristo for the judges. The sandwich is one of her and her family’s favorites, and it won the contest.
Castor was also recognized by Fort Worth Magazine as best catering in 2017 and 2019. This is when Castor really started zoning in on her business. It was being more than just a food truck. With a diverse menu, specialized ingredients and amazing aesthetics, it’s safe to say this truck is gourmet.
These awards and honors have led Castor to where she is today. This fall, Castor and family will be opening Luckybee Kitchen’s first brick and mortar restaurant, on South Hills Avenue not far from TCU, her alma mater. Castor describes the space as a “dinner boutique house.” She will have a space for floral arrangements, linen closets, china cabinets, a dining room and, of course, a kitchen.
Her success with her food truck is a journey that has come full circle. Before her culinary endeavor took off, she wallowed in a dark place. For years, Castor said, she was sick in bed — in a deep depression.
“I could see right into the dining room, at the time my family was getting delivered Chick-fil-A, Canes, McDonald’s…” Castor said. This was when she wished she could cook for her family so they didn’t have to eat out every night, although she sheepishly shares she is not above a McDonald’s cheeseburger.
“In a lucid moment, I mentioned to my husband that ‘if I make it through this,’ which at the time I didn’t think I would, ‘I want to learn how to cook’,” she said.
Her husband, Jon, sent her to culinary school, which was a lifesaver for her — not to mention, the inspiration behind her gourmet food truck.
The gift was presented to her one Christmas. Jon and her children surprised her with four white boxes.
“My youngest, gave me a white apron. My son came and gave me culinary school pants, and I thought they were pajamas,” said Castor. “Then my oldest brought me a hat and a handkerchief.”
Finally, Jon brought the last white box with a Culinary School of Fort Worth chef coat.
“I was so excited, but then I thought, ‘How am I going to do that?’” Castor recalled.
After a week of debating if this was her calling, her husband made an agreement with her to at least try.
“On the first day, I don’t know what got into me, I think it was my competitiveness, but I just loved it,” Castor said.
Her health took a turn for the better. She was slowly crawling out of depression. She graduated with honors in both savory and pastry courses. Shortly after, the school asked her to come back and teach.
“It’s never too late to do anything,” she said. “I went from not knowing how to do anything to buying a truck and running it like a kitchen.”
Castor will continue working private events and catering as she prepares to open her boutique kitchen space. But don’t worry, food truck fans: She plans to keep her mobile kitchen open.
Second place: Taco Vibe
Taco Vibe is another truck with amazing hospitality, and they are known for all things birria.
Ana Vargas and Ulises Rodriguez, founder of the food truck, greets every customer with a contagious smile. When the Star-Telegram visited, they were located at their usual haunt, the Saginaw Switchyard food truck park. It had plenty of tables to sit and enjoy a meal.
While their most popular menu item is the birria quesataco plate, don’t sleep on their birria Mexican pizza or the birria ramen. The Mexican pizza was a crispy birria quesadilla with cheese-crusted flour tortillas. Swirled on top was a jalapeno sauce, which conjures up a spicy crema.
The ramen was so flavorful and light. For something as rich as the salty birria meat broth, the noodles balanced out everything. The bowl was finished with all the things you expect from eating birria tacos: chopped onions, cilantro, lime and red radishes.
Right when I thought I just could not possibly eat anymore, I couldn’t turn down Rodriguez’ huge smile and an offering of churros. These were light on the cinnamon sugar because they were filled with sweet, oozy, hot caramel. It definitely would not hurt to try one of these.
The Rodriguez family posts schedule updates on the Taco Vibe social media pages. Taco Vibe is local to Saginaw and travels around the Fort Worth area.
Finalist: Oh Balls!
Kent Scroggins bought his first food truck (also known as the ball bus) right after quitting a job in finance. Two weeks later, he and his wife found out they were pregnant. Six years later, their Oh Balls! food truck claims to be the only four-wheel meatball kitchen in Texas.
Italian is my favorite food, and what I was expecting at this food truck. To my surprise, Oh Balls! is not Italian, it’s meatballs of every cuisine. My favorite ended up being the “Wax On, Wax Off” Asian-inspired meatballs.
You choose a base. I tried the 8-inch sourdough roll that they split into three to make three mini sliders. Then you choose your meatball flavors— I mixed and matched, asking for the chef special (what he thinks is worthy of trying). All meatballs are 100% beef, as well as gluten and dairy free. Finally, you can add any toppings like sauces or garnishes.
I tried five different flavors, oh my! And it was only my first lunch of the day. Here’s my thoughts:
Heartbreaker on handmade pasta: Had a delicious creamy sauce, reminded me of vodka sauce (a tad spicy), and the ground beef meatball was moist.
Wax On Wax Off on Penne: I would order again. The Asian glaze was sweet and a little spicy with a nice crunch from the sweet chili-flavored Doritos. I wanted to drink the sauce.
Cowboy on Sourdough Roll: Delicious sweet and tangy, barbecue-like whiskey sauce. I mean, I just love anything topped with bacon.
Pizza on Sourdough: Like a meatball sub!
Bleu on Sourdough: Never would think to pair a meatball with the smoky cheese sauce, but it was delicious. Very rich.
Scroggins just scored a spot to park his truck in the South Main district, at 218 Bryan Ave. The location has an outdoor patio that will be shared with neighboring trucks and restaurants. If you’re on the fence about going, just know the patio is BYOB. Oh Balls! has pretty much every flavor to pair with any beverage.
Finalist: Flores Home Cooking
Flores Home Cooking pretty much stays at its home base at 4025 Hemphill St. in Worth Heights. After I rolled up to the Dollar General parking lot, I parked my truck and opened the bed in preparation to eat some tacos. I ordered a carne asada taco and an al pastor quesadilla. Both were delicious and flavorful.
With a full stomach, Abel Flores, owner and chef, brought out the shrimp tacos.
“No one thinks to order these but they are underrated,” Flores said. And he was right. The soft corn tortilla slathered with crispy grilled cheddar cheese was the perfect vessel for crispy shrimp bites.
Doused in lime and crema, these may have been the best shrimp tacos I’ve had in my short life. I will be thinking about this taco for weeks, and I will be going back for more. This menu item alone gives Flores Home Cooking a well-deserved spot on top five food trucks in Fort Worth.
They are open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 11 p.m. Flores Home Cooking also caters events and travels around the Fort Worth area.
Finalist: Plaka’s Greek Kitchen
Plaka’s Greek Kitchen travels all over the Metroplex serving regulars at breweries and catering large events. The No. 1 thing that stood out to me was their hospitality. I wasn’t walking into a physical restaurant where the owner could make me feel at home, but Oli Snyder, food truck owner, has that presence regardless of where the truck is parked.
At Hop and Sting Brewing Co., Plaka’s served chicken and rice bowls, gyro, pita and tzatziki, vegan falafel and fries. Their seasoning is what makes the meal. Every dish was filled with flavors from homemade seasonings. Here’s what my taste buds thought of every dish:
Tzatziki: The yogurt sauce was more minty than dill — fresh and light. I could eat spoonfuls of the sauce. Pairs with every dish, in my opinion better than the hummus.
Falafel: The vegan filling makes it dense. Delicious southwestern flavoring to it. Necessary to have hummus or tzatziki as dip.
Chicken bowl: The ginger and citrus chicken made for fresh, juicy and delicious meat. Paired perfectly with rice that had hints of cinnamon and mint. Almonds added a delightful crunch.
Gyro: It was minty and fresh. Topped with cilantro, onion and tomatoes, it was like a delicious salad wrap in a warm and soft pita.
Loukoumades: These “Greek donuts” were delicious, soft and dense. They are fried dough balls soaked in ouzo liqueur and dusted with powdered sugar. How can you go wrong?
Other than the food being amazing, the hospitality is what made Plaka’s truck worth a visit. The authentic Greek food is fresh and made from scratch with quality ingredients.
All the nominees for best food truck:
Here’s a rundown of the other 37 local food trucks that our readers nominated as their favorites in the Fort Worth area.
1956 Pizza
Menu: Scratch-made pizzas by the slide or pie, and caprese salad.
Fun fact: The owners are New York & Chicago natives who live in Southlake (hence the name, which is the year the city incorporated).
Location: Various locations
How to follow: @1956_pizza
225 BBQ
Menu: Brisket, ribs, links, tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches
What our readers said: ”Best Mex-Tex BBQ in Tarrant County, especially the brisket.”
Location: 2601 W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington
How to follow: @225bbq
Angi’s Louisiana Kitchen
Menu: Crawfish etoufee, gumbo, seafood or chicken pasta, red beans & rice
Fun fact: The husband-wife owners are natives of New Orleans and Fort Worth and have a combined 50 years of experience.
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @angisonthegeaux
Big Dawgs Hot Dog Co.
Menu: Handcrafted gourmet hot dogs and infused Mexican street eats
What our readers said: “Friendliest customer service, incredible food, and they do so much for the community.”
Location: 2836 Stanley Ave., Fort Worth
How to follow: @big_dawgs_dfw
Big Tyme Web
Menu: Sandwiches and bowls with barbecue, pork, hot links
What our readers said: “Unmatched flavors, fast & friendly service.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @bigtyme.web
Braided Bites
Menu: Hot sandwiches, burgers and chicken served on various styles of soft pretzel
What our readers said: “Delicious sandwiches made on pretzels! Bacon cheeseburgers, cuban, hot honey chicken, and ooey gooey grilled cheese are all delicious! Fresh pasta and brownies made by uber-talented chef!”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @braidedbitesllc
Chili Pepper Grill
Menu: Street tacos
What our readers said: “Best street tacos in Fort Worth”
Location: 2801 Crockett St., Fort Worth
How to follow: @chillipeppergrill
Chula’s Kitchen
Menu: Tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas
What our readers said: “The food is incredible, but what really makes this food is the family who runs it. They have a heart for their food and their community! They have the most incredible tacos, burritos and tortas.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @chulas_kitchen
Dubb’s Smoke Pit
Menu: Smoke BBQ brisket and pulled pork sandwiches.
What our readers said: “Dubb is great guy who loves to talk with his customers. He seems to really enjoy what he does. My favorite menu item is the pork belly with the sweet and spicy sauce. Of course you can’t go wrong his brisket.
Location: Burleson
How to follow: @dubbssmokepit
El Compadre Tacos
Menu: Tacos, quesadillas, burritos, Mexican corn
What our readers said: “The best tacos & elotes in town! The owner & his wife are so humble and go to town on good food.”
Location: 2408 NE 28th St., Fort Worth
How to follow: @elcompadretacos
El Gordito Chon
Menu: Tacos, burritos, huaraches, gorditas and combination plates.
What our readers said: ”Amazing family-run operation, so much love prepared in this food, the food is so flavorful and the juiciest meat I have ever had! My favorite is the birria tacos with consomme and my wife’s favorite is the al pastor.”
Location: 6212 Denton Highway, Watauga
Fifty Fifty Food Trailer
Menu: Chicken parm, Italian beef and bacon caprese sandwiches; vegan sandwiches are Philly, falafel burger and hot honey shroom.
What our readers said: “If you’re wanting something different, something delicious that packs passion into literally every bite. We’ve sampled every sandwich on the regular menu and two on the vegan side and are never left hungry or unsatisfied ... bar none my favorite food truck.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @FifthyFiftyFoodTrailer
Gorditas Mi Durango
Menu: Durango-style gorditas, tortas, burritos
What our readers said: “Best authentic gorditas and menudo in Fort Worth!” “Un lugar que no es común encontrar en USA, con el sabor y sazón de Durango, México.” “I was born in Durango and grew up eating gorditas with a million different fillings. My mom is a fabulous cook and these gorditas are just as good.”
Location: 3321 NE 28th St., Fort Worth
How to follow: @gorditasmidurango
Guapo Taco
Menu: Street tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas, burgers
What our readers said: “Birria tacos, pozole, tortas, street tacos…all delicious!”
Location: 301 S. Sylvania Ave., Fort Worth
How to follow: @guapotacofw
Hale on Wheels Mobile Italian Eatery
Menu: Meatball, chicken parm and egglplant subs; sliders; Italian loaded fries.
What our readers said: “The meatball sub is to die for! They are chef-owned and -operated and most of the menu items are made from scratch. Great food and awesome customer service.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @HaleonWheelsFoodTruck
Heirloom
Menu: Breakfast & brunch fare, salads, soups, sandwiches
What our readers said: “Fresh, clean, uncomplicated.”
Location: 6700 Z Boaz Place, Fort Worth
How to follow: @heirloomfw
Holy Frijole
Menu: Tacos, nachos, quesadillas, huaraches, tortas.
Location: Various spots.
How to follow: @santofrijol
It’s Food
Menu: All plant-based burgers
What our readers said: “Vegan comfort food, biodegradable packaging, an ever-changing variety of weird and fun offerings.”
Location: 1001 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth
How to follow: @its_food_lol
La Cabana
Menu: Tacos, burritos
What our readers said: “Try the taco plate.”
Location: 3520 Locke Ave., Fort Worth
Los Mamones
Menu: Tacos, quesadillas, tortas.
What our readers said: “Tastes delicious. Really good food, Monterrey style.”
Location: 3310 N. Main St., Fort Worth
How to follow: @tacoslosmamones
Mi Alma
Menu: Tacos
What our readers said: “Birria tacos!”
Location: Mansfield
Miguel’s Place
Menu: Custom and traditional burgers
What our readers said: “Great variety of burgers that are all delicious.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @miguelsfoodtruck
Mission Burgers
Menu: Burgers, sandwiches and fries
What our readers said: “Their cheesy, perfectly seasoned smash burgers with sweet Dr Pepper sauce are absolutely ah-maze-ing!!” “The homemade sauces are amazing! The fries are always well seasoned. The owners are kind and caring and just love people.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @missionburgers.tx
Nopalitos Taqueria
Menu: Street tacos
What our readers said: “Their asada fries are really really good and their tacos al pastor are the best in town. They’re green and red salsa amazing. You can just taste all the flavor.”
Location: 5301 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth
How to follow: @nopalitostaqueria817
Not Just Q
Menu: Brisket, KC pulled pork, sausage, turkey, chicken by the half-pound, plate or sandwich.
What our readers said: “The BBQ is tender and so flavorful! My favorite is the burnt ends, creamy corn, smoked baked beans and the green beans with burnt ends.” “This brisket is the best I’ve had in terms of tenderness, moistness and bark. Favorite menu item is the meat platter because it gives me a variety of BBQ to enjoy.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @notjustq
Potato King
Menu: Loaded baked potatoes with a variety of meat options, tacos
What our readers said: “They offer something different that everyone loves. Loaded baked potatoes, many topping options available, Mexican meats, Buffalo chicken. Potatoes are also ideal for those that don’t eat meat, it still comes fully loaded. Their customer service is awesome.”
Location: 6755 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills
How to follow: @potato.kingg_
Rollin’ Stone Food Truck
Menu: Burgers, cowboy fries, tacos, street corn
What our readers said: “The food is amazing, best brisket tacos, bad ass nachos and street corn!”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @eatrollinstone
Sabaidee Street Eats
Menu: Thai street food including fried rice, pad thai, pad ka-pow, pad see-ew; chicken wings, pot stickers.
What our readers said: ”The flavor and spice level is on point. You will not be disappointed on whichever dish you choose. My favorites on the menu are the Pad Kee Mao (drunken noodles) and the Lo Mein.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @sabaidee_street_eats
Salsazon
Menu: Mexico City-inspired breakfast and lunch tacos, sandwiches, nachos
What our readers said: “The food is always fresh and made to order. They have the best chilaquiles in DFW, hands down.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @salsazondf
Sokah Food Truck
Menu: Trinidad and Tobago inspired jerk chicken, fried and baked fish, curry chicken or goat and wings
What our readers said: “I would recommend them because they make authentic Caribbean-inspired food that you cannot find anywhere in the Fort Worth area.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @sokahfoodtruck
Tacos Con Pico
Menu: Tacos, burritos, quesadillas
What our readers said: “It’s the best street food in the West Seventh Street district, especially when you go out there late night on the weekends. They make everything to order and tacos are hot and delicious. The food is super fresh and it’s a family owed business.”
Location: 2800 Bledsoe St., Fort Worth
How to follow: @tacos_con_pico
Taj’i Cajun Corner
Menu: Shrimp, turkey necks, sausage, corn, potatoes
What our readers said: “I grew up in New Orleans and red beans was a must have on Mondays, and Fridays was fried fish. Her food truck gives me a piece of home every time I visit. The hospitality and the New Orleans-style food reminds me of my childhood.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @tcajuncorner9
Taqueria Chacko
Menu: Tacos, “Chackopizzadila,” quesadillas, burritos, tortas.
Fun fact: The chackopizzadila has a 12-inch tortilla with cilantro, onion, queso, avocado and meat options including chorizo, asada, pastor, campechanos, barbacoa or tripa.
Location: 6701 Rufe Snow Drive, Watauga
How to follow: @taqueria_chacko
Tasty Steaks
Menu: Philly cheese steaks, burgers, meatball sub, cheese fries
What our readers said: “The owner is very friendly and he has the best sandwiches. He is willing to adjust menu items for religious and dietary restrictions for his regular customers. Best item is the chicken cheesesteak.”
Location: Saginaw Switchyard (752 S. Knowles Drive)
How to follow: @tastysteaks1973
Wingtalkfood
Menu: Chicken wings with 10 sauce options, cheese fries
What our readers said: “The chicken wings are soooo good! Chicken head is my favorite sauce on the menu.”
Location: Various spots
How to follow: @wingtalkfood
