Words by Deven Wilson | Photo of Nyam & La Taquicardia
As East Austin’s reputation for fusion food solidifies after Michelin Guide recognizes the talents of Cuantos Tacos, KG BBQ, and La Santa Barbacha, even more big flavors are coming out of tiny trailers, gaining momentum for their foreign fares. Covering far-flung culinary corners of the globe, from the Himalayan mountains to the sugar-sand beaches of the Caribbean, these trucks elevate Austin’s status as a world-class dining destination.
1 Rayan Lebanese Cuisine
How they manage to pack generous portions inside their truck is a total mystery, because every plate is overflowing. Shawarma plates and sandwiches are overstuffed with thinly sliced roast chicken or beef, and the VIP platters for two or four people could easily be considered catering size due to the sheer quantity of choices that come with them. Each VIP platter includes a selection of two or more meats, rice, tabouli, chickpea salad, fava bean salad, moussaka, baba ghannoj, stuffed grape leaves, and plenty of falafels. Order their Turkish coffee afterward for an energizing digestif to help wash down the bounty of flavors. 1637 E Riverside Dr. | @rayanlebanesecuisine
2 Tony’s Jamaican Food
Tony’s is an alcove of rich and comforting island flavors. Jamaica’s indigenous “jerk” style of dry-rubbed meat is well-represented with various plates and combinations of spicy chicken and pork, along with jerk chicken wings, oxtail, accompanying curries, roti, plantains, and coconut-flavored bread. Balance the rich spices with Ting, a sour and sweet grapefruit-based soda, for a sip of the Caribbean. 1124 E 11th St. | tonysjamaicanfood.com
3 Nyam
Beyond a singular border, Nyam covers the deliciously complex culinary offerings around the Caribbean Sea. Jamaican jerk-style meats, Mexico’s Yucatan bitter orange-spiced chicken called pollo pibil, and cross-regional staples like coconut, curry, and plantains find their place on the menu. The combinations result in a comprehensive sampling of the tropical sea, all offered from a food truck that resides at Hi Sign Brewing. 730 Shady Ln. | nyamcuisine.com
4 La Taquicardia
Tacos on the Eastside are overwhelmingly plentiful, but La Taquicardia differentiates itself. La Taquicardia goes beyond the typical combination of meat and cheese in a tortilla, bringing in Mexican flavors with a rich and heavily seasoned chicken mole taco, a chimichurri-coated veggie taco, and slow-roasted pork taco marinated in habanero, allspice, and annatto seeds, known as Cochinita Pibil. One bite of these tacos, and you’ll be making the drive to this truck again and again. 6014 Techni Center Dr. | lataquicardia.com
5 Abo Youssef
Raising the bar for the quality and variety of cuisines found at gas stations, Abo Youssef is a highly-regarded hotspot for Halal. While it offers a variety of Mediterranean classics like gyros and shawarma, there is an Egyptian touch across the menu with feteer meshaltet, a buttery layered Egyptian pie, hawashi, a pita stuffed with seasoned ground beef and lamb, and om ali, an Egyptian pastry with nuts and raisins. One bite of any dish here takes your tastebuds halfway around the world without ever leaving the gas station’s parking lot. 2101 Manor Rd. | facebook.com/nachwausa
6 Madrasi Dhaba
Madrasi Dhaba offers a spicy and seasoned alternative to the typical fare found on the lively thoroughfare of East 6th. While curries and biryani are on offer, their Indian tacos, such as the channa masala taco with spiced chickpeas topped with tangy yogurt, introduce a South Indian palate Mexican-style. For an alternative to the typical drink order, consider a mango lassi. This creamy, yogurt-based drink amazingly soothes the spicy bites from this truck. 1606 E 6th St. | madrasdhabausa.com
7 Fusion Everest Kitchen
Without having to hike the Himalayas, this truck brings a taste of Nepal down to Austin’s altitude. Experience the uniqueness of the mountainous nation with Fusion Everest’s momos, a more delicate style of dumpling, or Thukpa Soup, a traditional dish made with noodles, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger, which offers a hearty palate that evokes the comfort of home-cooked meals. The foreign flavors found here might just inspire an impromptu home search in Kathmandu for access to more momos. 1919 S Pleasant Valley Rd. | fusioneverestkitchen.com/home
