Supporting Mobile Food in Orlando
Continuing to support local restaurants in Orlando is top of mind right now as Florida continues to see an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Although we may be tempted to dine-in, continuing to support local restaurants through takeout continues to be the most popular and safer way to patron these beloved businesses.
However, often takeout from our favorite local brick and mortar restaurants means forgetting those who do not have their own permanent space. Many of these local meals on wheels rely heavily on events and food truck rallies to cement their weekly schedules, but with events canceled, and regular routes in danger, it can be easy to forget the entrepreneurs who rely on a more transient lifestyle to sustain them.
Downtown Orlando has launched a food truck program by adding more dedicated locations for trucks, as seen on the map below. I could not find any listing of what trucks are in rotation, but if you are downtown and in these areas, keep an eye out.
For those of us who don’t live downtown, we can seek out some of Orlando’s best mobile food options. Below is a list of people to check out in Orlando and beyond that are worth tracking down and adding into your takeout rotation.
BarBQ Boyz
Located inside the 76 gas station on the edge of Eatonville, you’ll find what I consider essential BBQ. Choose from platters with ribs, chicken, brisket, or pulled pork, and I promise you won’t be disappointed. The ribs below were fall-off-the-bone tender, with a sauce that was just lightly sweet and tangy.
You’ll find them on UberEats if you are in their delivery range, or you can visit their location and be lured in by the smell of the smoker at 6801 Forest City Road. Their Facebook is more active than their Instagram, so check that out for more details, and be forewarned, they do sell out!
Mt. Plymouth IGA Food Truck
For anyone out in the “country,” you may know options for local food are much more limited than in Orlando’s more urban area. The IGA in Sorrento has its own food truck and outside seating area. Since it’s in close proximity to some of my family, I’ve found myself stopping to grab food here, and it’s been delicious each time. They recently revamped their entire outside seating with socially-distant picnic tables and string lighting for nighttime dining. If you are hungry and in the area, I’d give it a whirl, and I can vouch for the fried fish tacos and the Philly cheesesteak.
The address is 31431 North CR 435 in Sorrento, and it’s open daily.
Francisco’s Taco Madness
This popular truck that once sat in front of the Loews on 17-92 has been affected by COVID-19, and had to leave its well-known location. Thankfully, another business across the street has offered them a temporary home, and they are back to serving up good tacos on the go.
The best place for updates is their Facebook page. Until further notice, you can find this truck at Andersons Motors at 704 Prairie Lake Dr, Fern Park, FL 32730.
Hot Asian Buns
Hot Asian Buns is a popular truck known to make the rounds at events and food truck gatherings. You can currently get all the bao buns you desire by placing orders over the phone and picking up at their Maitland location at 1000 Oranole Road. They are also on most food delivery apps.
The Korean fried chicken and shrimp tempura baos are my favorites. Get all their info on their Instagram or Facebook pages.
A Lo Cubano Kitchen
I was so happy to finally get to this truck when it popped up at the East End recently. They serve an excellent Cuban sandwich packed with meat nestled inside warmly pressed Cuban bread. A bonus on my visit was their special that day; a bowl of crispy pork belly with house-made coffee glaze. You guys know I’m picky about Cuban food, and I highly recommend you track down this truck. It’s Cubana approved.
Ordering online is easy for pick up, or follow their Instagram for the latest schedule and order when you get there. This truck is on the move, so use their social media to track where it’s headed next.
OverRice Food Truck
Overrice has been in my life for many years, and has been one of my favorite food trucks to give my money too. It’s a delicious blend of Filipino and Hawaiian foods that pack a lot of flavor in generous portions. My favorite item is the one meat platter with Filipino pork adobo that comes with a lumpia.
From Tasty Tuesdays to the Downtown Farmers Market, this truck was never hard to track down, but now, you’ll need to pay a little more attention to their social media posts to find where they’ve been able to set up shop.
Smoke and Donuts
Oak-smoked bbq paired with freshly made cake donuts is a combo you deserve to counteract the dumpster fire that is 2020. It took me far too long to try this food truck out, but now I can confidently tell you to seek it out.
I tried two different boxes; sliced brisket and pulled chicken. Both meats were served juicy, tender, and so flavorful that the additional Alabama BBQ sauce I got was barely needed. I also concocted my own doughnut with vanilla glaze, sea salt, and brisket burnt ends for a decadent sweet and salty dessert.
Smoke and Donuts is the newest truck to join the line up at A La Cart, and you can also order online for contactless to-go from their College Park location at 2545 Coolidge Avenue.
Jeff’s Bagel Run
I’ve been somewhat disappointed in local bagels lately, so when I took my first bite into a salt bagel from Jeff’s Bagel Run, I knew this was going to be a regular and worthy carb indulgence. This operation is mobile in the way of delivery; you are either able to get it delivered or go pick it up. Being based in Winter Garden does limit delivery options, and the sheer popularity of these bagels has made them difficult to get your hands on, but don’t stop trying! These bagels are my new current obsession.
Each week there is a new bagel run, and reservations open up on Sundays. These online reservations sell out fast, so follow his social media pages, and set your alarms. Below is the sammie I made at home with his perfect bagel.
Chicken Fire
By now, if you haven’t heard of or tried Kwame’s hot chicken, you have not been paying attention to his explosion on our local food scene. His chicken brings you tingly pain and makes your otherwise numb reactions to everything else in the world come to life in the best way possible. Medium is usually my level of choice, but I eat it slowly, and with a glass of milk nearby. I don’t dare try anything higher.
For the month of July, you can find his food trailer parked at the East End Market every day except Monday. Follow his Instagram for more updates.
Cups and Pups Coffee
This beautiful airstream in Lockhart may be the safest place to pick up a zero contact latte. To make things even more comfortable, you can order your drink through the Cloosiv app for fast pick-up.
The husband and wife duo have been working hard to turn the land their airstream sits on into a full-scale dog park and gathering spot with their coffee and other food trucks. COVID-19 has halted many of the events they were able to sell at and put on themselves, so help them keep inching toward their goal and swing by and grab a coffee.
The address is 6612 N. Orange Blossom Trail in Lockhart. Their hours are Thursday and Friday from 7AM - 11AM, but follow their Instagram for more info on deliveries and special promos.
Food Trucks at A La Cart
A La Cart in the Milk District may be the only place right now where you can try multiple food trucks at one time. They are currently home to Dulce Pecado, Steak it Easy, SwedeDish, Poke Kai, and the newest member, Smoke & Donuts.
Right now they are operating under limited hours of noon - 8pm, but the setup couldn’t lend itself more perfectly for grab n’ go (or pulling up a socially distant outdoor seat) and trying a variety of foods. Some of my favorites include the Loki from the SwedeDish truck, a fresh bowl from Poke Kai, and pretty much anything from the dessert truck Dulce Pecado. The trucks have different operating hours, so consult A La Cart’s website before you go.
Little Blue Donut
Even though Little Blue Donut closed up their brick and mortar shop last year, they are still going strong with their original means of giving us tasty donuts - their food truck. The truck is still traveling and hosting events, and for those of you who live in the Avalon Park area, you should know that’s a regular spot for them. You can also pre-order donuts for pick up when they are at their pop-up locations.
If you want to support this local family in other ways, the have a cute shirt on the Orlando Merch Store website as well. The best place for updates is their Facebook page.
Of course there are many more mobile food options in our different neighborhoods to seek out and I urge you all to see what is near you and support them.
DaJen Eats Irie on the Go Food Truck (Burger Saturdays) in Eatonville
Sushi & Seoul On The Roll in Sanford at Celery Craft
Purple Ocean Superfood Bar outside the Florida Mall and other locations
La Isla del Frappe & Puchungui's Pinchos at 7401 E. Colonial Drive
Support local, tip all staff, wear a mask, and don’t be a garbage human.