Beginning in May 2015, T-Town Food Trucks and the City of Tacoma are partnering to do something wonderful—setting up food truck gatherings in select locations around town. So far, these gatherings are set to go only through July and will feature three or more trucks at each gathering.
But these gatherings aren’t the only places to find local food trucks! Trucks also have scheduled locations around town so you can track them down via social media or their websites other days of the week.
1. Where to find the trucks
From May to July 2015, you can find gatherings of food trucks in locations both downtown and on Ruston Way:
- On first and third Fridays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Market Street between 9th and 11th.
- Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. near Cummings Park on Ruston Way
- Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. near Silver Cloud Inn on Ruston Way
You’ll also still find food trucks at other locations around the city, most often on their own. Common locations include outside of Wingman Brewers and on the University of Washington-Tacoma campus. The best way to find out which trucks are where is to follow the trucks on Twitter or Facebook, or check their websites (listed below).
2. Popular food trucks
Tacoma’s food truck lineup at the summer truck gatherings may change up each week, giving everyone the chance to try new foods, from burgers and fries to lumpia to Caribbean treats. Participating trucks include both brand new players as well as trucks that you may have spotted before on the UWT campus, in Puyallup or in other South Sound locations. To find out where the trucks will be throughout the week (most have locations beyond the T-Town Food Trucks gatherings), click the links below.
Players may change as gatherings go on and Tacoma’s food trucks (hopefully) get traction, but here are some of the most popular trucks you’ll see:
Arnold’s Happy Days
Arnold’s serves up burgers and fries with highlights including a breakfast burger and french toast sandwiches in the mornings! The regular menu has good, old fashioned burgers (and a veggie burger), grilled cheese, soups and daily specials.
Budha Bear Bagels
Known for showing up at local festivals, UWT and Puyallup, Budha Bear Bagels has a menu filled with gourmet bagel sandwiches as well as a few other standouts such as Mac Daddy-n-Cheese.
Gibson’s Frozen Yogurt
Gibson’s is a Tacoma staple—frozen yogurt served at two storefronts in Tacoma and also from a food truck that brings the deliciousness to the masses. Just like the storefronts, the truck offers several fro-yo flavors as well as a toppings bar.
Kerry’s Caribbean
Kerry’s Caribbean is regularly stationed at Lakewood Auto Services, UWT and at locations around Joint Base Lewis McChord. Expect a menu filled with foods from Trinidad, Tobago and Jamaica. A special bonus is that the truck purchases all ingredients locally and buys organic whenever possible.
Lumpia World
Based in Federal Way, Lumpia World has a storefront in Federal Way as well as two trucks that set up shop everywhere from Seattle to Tacoma. The menu features all kinds of lumpia from ground steak to lemon grass chicken to vegetarian, as well as Filipino favorites like pancit (noodles) and curries.
Da-Van That Know the Man
All barbecue all the time!
Viet Nom Nom
This Pierce County-based food truck has a menu of Vietnamese food, including pork and chicken bahn mi, rice bowls, egg rolls and beverages.
3. Food truck events
Aside from regular appearances around town, Tacoma’s food trucks also get together at local events.
Food truck fest
MetroParks’ Food Truck Fest is an excellent place to get a sampling of many area food trucks all in one place, along with live music and lots of good company in Tacoma’s Wright Park.