Food just tastes better when it comes from a truck. Maybe it’s the made-to-order magic, the creative menus, or the thrill of the hunt. We asked locals to vote for their favorites, and these mobile kitchens rose to the top. From spicy street tacos to gourmet grilled cheese and vegetarian food that thumps, Greater Des Moines' food truck scene brings bold flavors and even bolder vibes. Check out the best food trucks in the metro, and give them a follow so you always know where to find your next crave-worthy bite.
Pro Tip No. 1: Use Food Trucks DSM to track down all your favorites in one place.
Pro Tip No. 2: For more taco trucks than we could fit on this list, check out our Des Best Tacos blog for more handheld, south of the border deliciousness!
*All of our Des Best lists are crowdsourced and voted by locals.*
Veggie Thumper
They say you should add more color to your diet, and with Veggie Thumper, they oblige in spades. Look for the bright, colorful school bus serving up organic vegan food that is so popular it was also voted one of the top vegetarian options in town. This is food that not only tastes good but will make you feel good. Whether you want a Philly “cheesesteak”, smoked “cheddar” buffalo “chick’n” mac n cheese, or smokey “beefy” hardshell tacos, you’ll use colorful words like “delicious,” “fresh,” and “life changing.” Fun Fact: They also sell organic skincare!
Sabores de Mexico
When you think of food trucks, the mind often wanders to tacos (if not, you clearly don’t eat enough tacos). With Sabores de Mexico, it can be Taco Tuesday every day (petition to start Torta Thursday, please). Usually located on the corner of 73rd Street and Hickman Road, this burgundy truck sells no-frills authentic street tacos, nachos, tostadas, and other delicious Mexican food staples that will leave those taco kits in the pantry in the dust.
Top Bun
With one of the punniest names around, you can meat your heart out at Des Moines’ flyest food truck. This stalwart of the food truck scene regularly wins Best Food Truck in the metro (including a nod from Food Network) and the accolades are well deserved. Take burgers like the flyin’ Hawaiian and captain Coyle for a spin, or if you feel like your cholesterol is in a good spot, piggyback your burger with the bacon queso fries.
Charlotte’s Kitchen
Named after the owners’ grandmother, Charlotte, Charlotte’s Kitchen takes pride in creating food that she would be proud of. With a creative twist on chicken sandwiches, this truck is sure to make your taste buds do the chicken dance. There are five different chicken sandwiches, grilled or fried, from Nashville hot to crab rangoon and Thai, along with cheese curds that are to die for. Counting carbs? All the options are available as salads as well. They also have brick and mortar locations in Johnston, Indianola, and Altoona (drive-thru only)!
Flame
Ah, the age-old quandary, “taco or cheeseburger?” Thankfully, the family-owned Flame food truck takes the anxiety out of the decision, by offering superior versions of both. Grab some of their shrimp or steak tacos or if the mood strikes, the flame burger, topped with jalapenos and their signature flame sauce. It might just be the best burger in town. They have restaurant locations in Johnston and Ankeny, along with a permanent spot at the Fareway Fields inside the Gregg Young Sports Campus in Norwalk, which is reason enough to sign your kids up for travel ball.
Hotsy Totsy
Who doesn’t love crispy tater tots? Say hello to Hotsy Totsy, the ultimate appetizer truck. Their specialty is very clearly tater tots, but these are no ordinary tots. Parmesan truffle tots, loaded tots, BBQ pork tots, and tots more. They also have rotating selections like gyros, cheese curds, tacos, you name it. Whatever you pick, you’ll be hot to tot.
Outside Scoop
Remember the pure joy of chasing the ice cream truck as a kid? That’s exactly how we feel when we spot The Outside Scoop rolling through town. With storefronts in Indianola and Ankeny, nothing screams "summertime” more than The Outside Scoop’s bright pink ice cream truck. The Outside Scoop has been creating small-batch, homemade flavors since 2010, creating combos you wouldn’t expect to work. Sweet corn, dill pickle, and goat cheese with roasted cherry are just a few of the unique but delicious options (along with all the nostalgic classics). They do have a rotating menu, so you’ll just have to go every week to try them all!
Pho Wheels & Sushi
Rolling fresh and serving fire, Pho Wheels & Sushi is your go-to for sushi on the move. Craving something cool? Grab a poke bowl or sushi burrito that’s as photogenic as it is flavorful. Need something to warm your soul? Their piping-hot pho, available in beef, veggie, or vegan, hits the spot every time. And whatever you do, don’t sleep on the crab rangoons. Trust us, they’re a must.
Big flavor, bold bites, and a truck that lives up to its name – Big Red Food Truck is a local staple rolling through Greater Des Moines since 2015. From crispy mozzarella sticks and fried pickles to juicy burgers, street tacos, and loaded gyros, their menu is a choose-your-own-adventure of comfort food cravings. Can’t decide? That’s kind of the point. Come hungry, leave happy.
The Eggroll Ladies are known for one thing...wait for it...egg rolls. These perfectly crispy, fried, pork eggrolls are essential to food truck season in Greater Des Moines. They also offer crab rangoons and potstickers. If you’re feeling crazy, try out a sampler box to get a taste of all the delicious offerings. They’ve also recently opened a brick-and-mortar location downtown, so you can tackle those egg roll cravings daily.
WTF – What The Fries
Officially establishing themselves as a must-try truck, WTF will have you exclaiming “Fry-yay!” What the Fries gives customers the opportunity to build your own set of loaded French fries, or you can choose one of their signature creations. We don’t know what you’ll choose (buffalo chicken, jerk chicken, pizza fries, the options are endless!), but we do know that carb loading has never been so fun.
Brick & Ember Pizza
The masterminds behind Big Red Food Truck are at it again – this time with a wood-fired twist. Their latest venture, Brick & Ember Pizza Company, is serving up sizzling slices all over the metro. From brisket mac daddy to dill pickle and even a breakfast-worthy Iowa country scrambler, these aren’t your average pies. It’s bold, brick oven pizza with serious personality.
On the Hook
Just because Greater Des Moines is landlocked doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy fresh, ocean-quality seafood. On the Hook Fish and Chips is reeling in crowds with their signature dish: line-caught wild Alaskan cod, battered and fried to golden perfection, served alongside a generous helping of hot, crispy fries. This Wyoming-based food truck has an Iowa truck, bringing coastal flavor straight to the heartland.
Hot off the Presses
Extra, extra! Read all about the delicious grilled cheese that Hot off the Presses is toasting up. Whether you’re an OG grilled cheese lover or want something a little more adventurous, this menu has all the options. Try a Kick in the Cheese (yellow and pepper jack cheese with sweet and spicy pepper jelly) or Seoul Food (kimchi and bacon). Beyond grilled cheese, they’re also known for toasted paninis, fresh wraps, and hearty salads. Catch the truck rolling through town or swing by their cozy storefront in West Des Moines!
Karam’s Grill
You can’t miss Karam’s Grill rolling around town in their bright green truck, serving up some of the freshest Mediterranean food in the metro. Founded by Hamid Karam, who brought his culinary roots from Morocco to Iowa in 2002, this food truck blends Moroccan flair with Mediterranean classics. Try a falafel platter full of fresh veggies, a gyro with lamb or chicken, or if you’re feeling like you can’t choose, grab a combo platter. Serving up light, flavorful bites that always satisfy, Karam’s Grill is a must-try on wheels.
Jethro’s
Jethro’s, the local BBQ hot spot known for smoky wings, juicy burgers, and fall-off-the-bone ribs, is hitting the streets with its brand-new food truck, the Jethro’s Express. Decked out in bold red, white, and blue, this truck is impossible to miss and impossible to resist. Whether you're craving a quick bite or chasing down your favorite BBQ fix, Jethro’s Express brings all your smoky favorites straight to the curb.
Nina’s Tacos
If there’s a festival happening in Greater Des Moines, chances are Nina’s Taco Truck is right in the middle of the action. Serving delicious birria in all forms (tacos, quesadillas, ramen, even a pizzadilla), Nina’s delivers cheesy, crispy perfection in every bite. And the cherry on top? Their lightning-fast service means you’ll spend less time waiting and more time devouring.
2nd Ave Sandwich
Serving up late-night legends one sandwich at a time, 2nd Ave Sandwich parks outside Beechwood Lounge from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. – because greatness doesn’t keep normal hours. Known for their iconic chopped cheese and irreverent vibe, this no-frills, all-flavor truck is a favorite among East Village night owls and in-the-know restaurant workers. It’s got the street cred, the sass, and some of the best handhelds in town.
