If you’ve ever had lunch at the Greenway or City Hall Plaza on a weekday afternoon, you’re probably aware that Boston is crawling with food trucks. In fact, the Hub is one of the top five cities in America for highest food truck concentration per 100,000 people. From Asian-inspired cuisine to a truckload of bacon, here are a few far-out options to try.
1. Papi’s Stuffed Sopapillas
Papi’s serves over 20 rotating varieties of sweet and savory stuffed sopapillas, a traditional Latin American quick bread. Executive chef Jason Melmed says he was inspired to start the truck after spending time in New Mexico, a signature home for the bread. “In New Mexico they just have sopapillas with honey, and I wanted to put my own take on it,” he says. “I’m pretty sure that I’m the only person in the world that does Sopapillas the way I do.”
What to order: On the savory side, Melmed says the bulgogi rib eye kimchi fusion is popular, a sopapilla-stuffed with rib eye, sweet chili cream cheese and kimchi slaw.
2. Munch Mobile Kitchen
Billed as “elevated street food,” Munch Mobile Kitchen appeals to those looking for fine dining on their lunch break. Boasting local ingredients as well as vegan and gluten-free options, this food truck whips up restaurant staples like salmon pate and tostada.
What to order: For a filling lunch, order the c.b.l.t., which features chicken salad, bacon, herb aioli, pickled hot peppers and heirloom tomatoes on a grilled baguette.
3. The Bacon Truck
Bacon lovers will rejoice at this food truck, selling sandwiches, snacks and desserts that incorporate everyone’s favorite fried pork product. Co-founder Sam Williams opened the truck in part as a response to the health food craze, seeing a gap in the food truck market for guilty pleasures.
What to order: Williams says customers rave over the Pork & Mindy, a hefty sandwich with braised pork shoulder, red onions, avocado, cheddar and Havarti cheese, plus chipotle aioli and of course, bacon.
4. Moyzilla
Boston is crawling with Asian food trucks, which often promise a chipotle-style combination of meat, veggies and sauce piled on rice, noodles or sandwich bread. But Moyzilla is unique, serving signature dumplings along with Asian comfort foods, noodle soups, spring rolls and other dishes.
What to order: Popular items include the Japanese fried chicken, which can be paired with garlic noodles for a satisfying meal.
5. Rice Burg
Come here for one-of-a-kind rice burgers, a sandwich which uses packed-together sticky rice as a bun with Asian proteins and veggies. Founder Jessica Shen says her truck is the only place to get a rice burger in Boston. “I think street food should be different from traditional food,” she says. “It should be its own unique creation.”
What to order: Meat-lovers should go for the mala spicy crispy chicken burger, which includes Szechuang Mala spicy sauce, pineapple and lettuce.
