Black-Owned Food Truck Favorites To Try When Visiting Atlanta, Los Angeles, and NYC

Spotted at busy intersections, popular streets, plazas, and outdoor events, mobile meals are made with love and appreciated everywhere. I mean, who doesn't love restaurant-quality food on the go? While the food truck industry saw an uptick before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, now, more than ever, it makes sense for restaurateurs to reduce their overhead costs.

While most of us can agree that that we only indulge in a dish from a food truck when we merely cross paths with one, some are worth seeking out. Here's a look at some Black-owned food truck flavor-ites you can't pass up if you happen to be in the vicinity where they typically stop.

Located in the heart of Harlem, the Harlem Seafood Soul food truck is a state-of-the art mobile and food kitchen launched by Chef Tami. Like its name suggests, Harlem Seafood Soul specializes in soul food meals and gourmet seafood, providing meals such as fish and chips, jumbp shrimp, and grits and cheese.

Chef Tami launched the southern soul food truck in 2016, and has been satisfying hungry bellies ever since! Food lovers can spot the eco-friendly mobile kitchen in front of the Harlem State Office Building on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and West 125th Street.

If you’re looking for some authentic, rich-flavored Nigerian cuisine, look no further than DF Nigerian Food Truck. Based in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Philadelphia, DF Nigerian’s food truck is a family-owned and operated meals-on-wheels business specializing in Nigerian and African cuisine. Some of their signature meals include spicy jollof rice and soup made from the seeds of the egusi melon.

Oh, and did we mention DF Nigerian Food Truck was a 2017 Vendy Award Finalist?

Nigerian staples are the footprint of many diaspora cuisines. The flavors and spice blends DF Nigerian integrates into its meals is widely-recognized by lovers of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and African American soul food.

Looking for a healthy alternative to fast food in Atlanta? Perhaps you'd like a light and fresh meal to replace the heavy food you've been eating lately for lunch? Well, Local Green is your answer. Co-founded by songwriter Zak Wallace and his wife Robyn, Local Green is a vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian restaurant serving fruits and veggies with serious flavor!

Many of the menu items are named after widely-recognized hip-hop figures, some of which include Notorious Tacos, Rappers Delight Philly, the Badu Wrap, and Bubba Sparxx. Local Green is not just a local hit, in fact, the restaurant scaled up from a food truck and launched two brick-and-mortar locations. You can find Local Green in Atlanta and in Orlando Florida at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs.

A gem on Atlanta’s westside, Bankhead Seafood is a staple in the stomachs of its city. Recently purchased by rappers T.I. and Killer Mike, the historic restaurant turned food truck is a favorite for fish, shrimp, and their world-famous (or so it feels) hush puppies.

For over half a century, original owner Helen Harden served seafood and dessert in the community. Remaining true to the brand, Bankhead Seafood remains the “home of the $8 special”.

Big Mike’s Tacos is taking Americanized tacos to another level! Home of the ATL-Mex (Atlanta Mexican), Big Mike’s tacos, quesadillas, and bowls will leave you lining up for more! Serving items such as the Vegan Shawty, Dirty Birds, and AL Pastor Troy, every meal is made to order and topped with your favorites right before your eyes!

Big Mike’s is a true Atlanta experience, with classic throwback music and a side of slang that natives can respect, but everyone can enjoy.

A food truck that puts people over profits? Yes, please! Established in March of 2020 by Keith & LukaSavage, Savage Tacos now has three operating trucks based in Long Beach, Calif., which speaks to the success of their business (and their food). They are Black-owned, with universal flavors from around the world that speaks to their mission.

Savage Tacos feeds the homeless every Monday, stands in solidarity against racism and prejudice, and supports LGBTQ+ while spreading love through its delicious food.

LA is known for having some of the best tacos spots around…and true to fashion, most often these places aren’t fancy, decked-out restaurants – they’re usually family-owned, mom & pop-style businesses like Savage Tacos Truck.

If you ever find yourself traveling through Los Angeles, craving some wings and waffles, don’t count out popular food truck Wings n’ Waffles. Thanks to its secret seasoning, this hot spot serves some of the best chicken in the city, along with waffles and soul food side dishes. Yum! But, Wings n’ Waffles is more than your typical food truck.

In fact, it's an entity of a company that feeds over 600 homeless people a month, awards scholarships to students, and offers mentoring programs for entrepreneurs and first time homebuyers. Not only are Wings n’ Waffles keeping the community fed, they're doing their part to enrich it as well!

If you haven't had the pleasure of devouring a meal from any of the above-mentioned food trucks, what are you waiting for?