Boston’s food truck scene is a survivor. Restrictive city laws make it difficult for owners, but they benefit customers. Only the strongest survive, which means the food trucks that last are the ones with the best food at the best prices. If you’re looking for cheap eats in Boston, several food trucks have stood the test of time.
A Guide To Boston’s Food Truck Culture
Boston’s food truck scene has been in place for years. And yet the city is ranked the worst in the US for restrictive regulations for starting a food truck business. Licenses are hard to get, the associated costs are prohibitive, and the regulations are hard to follow. And yet some food trucks have managed to thrive. These are the ones to look for on your nights out in Boston.
There are public and private food truck sites all over Boston’s neighbourhoods. You’ll also find them at local events, festivals and dedicated food truck festivals. No matter where you are in Boston, chances are there’s a food truck nearby. Just keep an eye out for some of these Boston favourites.
1.
Bon Me
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© Photo by Kirk K on Flickr[/caption]
The Bon Me food truck has gone from strength to strength. The brightly coloured trucks still circle the neighbourhoods.
This food truck has brought the humble and variable Vietnamese sandwich to Boston. The baguettes are crispy and light. The greens are bright and fresh. The spice-rubbed chicken and miso-braised pulled pork are the best in the business. They’re everything a Vietnamese sandwich should be, and then some.
2.
Cookie Monstah
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© Photo by dog97209 on Flickr[/caption]
The owner of the Cookie Monstah food truck has been baking for decades and it shows. Her creations are slightly bizarre, always colourful, and so good you won’t mind how much fat or sugar they contain. They’re perfect for dessert or on non-diet days, when you just want something sweet.
You can order classics from this food truck or go experimental. Add ice cream to your cookies for a splash of sugary cold or order an ice cream sandwich. It’s a treat that shouldn’t be missed.
3.
Chicken and Rice Guys
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© Photo by charlene mcbride on Flickr[/caption]
Sometimes, the simple foods are the best and that’s the idea this food truck is based on. The Chicken and Rice Guys sell rice or salad with chicken, gyro, tofu, or a chicken and gyro combination. And yet people line up for this deceptively simple meal.
Done right, simple can be exquisite. People line up at Chicken and Rice Guys because the meat is fresh and delicious, and you can choose your own sauces. That’s the best part of this food truck experience. They offer a variety of sauces. Just choose your favourite and add liberally and you’ve got an easy and delicious comfort meal.
4.
Tea Station
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© Photo by Chris P. on Yelp[/caption]
This food truck is what it sounds like. It offers thirsty Bostonians a variety of teas. But this isn’t just your ordinary mug of tea with sugar. Instead, they’ve dipped into the tea culture of several different countries to bring you the best and weirdest teas in the world.
When you stop by this food truck, you’ll have to decide between Taiwanese Bubble Tea and taro tea. You’ll dither between Thai tea and the sweetness of lychee tea. And as if that wasn’t hard enough, you can also order coffee, slushies, smoothies, and frozen yoghurt. Basically, you’ll find any drink that helps you survive a hot summer’s day at Tea Station.
5.
The Bacon Truck
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© Photo by charlene mcbride on Flickr[/caption]
Who doesn’t love bacon? The owners of The Bacon Truck believe it should be the centre of a meal and have designed a menu around it. It might not be the healthiest food around, but the sandwiches they sell might be some of the tastiest.
You can get everything from a classic BLT with garlic bacon mayo to a Pork & Mindy with bacon, braised pork, cheese, and a smoky aioli. They also have dessert, though bacon features prominently in this course as well. If you’re brave, you could try the candied bacon sold by this food truck. Just refrain from eating for the rest of the day.
6.
Baja Taco Truck
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© Baja Taco Truck Twitter[/caption]
There’s nothing quite like a fresh taco filled with cheese, meat, and spices that hit you like a punch. And that’s exactly what this food truck offers. The lime green Baja Taco Truck is almost an institution in Boston, selling a range of delicious Mexican dishes at great prices.
You can get more than the amazing fish tacos from this food truck too. They offer burritos, cheesy tostadas, and zingy guacamole. Basically, if you like fast, fresh Mexican food, then track down the Baja Taco Truck.
7.
Moyzilla
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© Photo by charlene mcbride on Flickr[/caption]
With the catchphrase ‘Make way for dumplings’, you should know what you’re going to get from Moyzilla. They aim to bring the freshest and most creative Asian street food to Boston. Once you taste some of their menu, you’ll agree they’ve met their own goals.
You can get tasty noodles, tempting meal boxes, or delicious skewers from this food truck. But the dumplings are the stars. These aren’t ordinary dumplings. Some offerings include a cheeseburger dumpling with secret sauce as well as the classic pork and napa cabbage dumpling. You can also get dessert dumplings and classic Asian comfort foods like chicken karaage and panko crusted pork.
The food truck is a favourite way to eat in Boston. It’s cheap, easy, and convenient, and offers a range of options you just can’t find anywhere else. So, when you’re exploring Boston, keep an eye out for a brightly coloured truck and a line of people. You just might be in for the best meal of your life.
Related travel guides: What To Do On A Long Layover In Boston, Locations To Renew A Passport In Boston, Massachusetts, and The Best Burmese Food.
