​Favorite Food Trucks Now Filling the Streets

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

The warm weather has me bebopping around the area in search of tasty eats of old and new. With local food trucks on the move, it’s now prime snacking season.

This summer will be filled with good grub, so I’m going to dedicate this column to my favorite food trucks, carts, stalls, tents, and trailers in the area.

Let’s start with some meat and mosey to Beef Cakes, where you’ll get your patties smashed. Beef Cakes is an outdoor burger pop-up operated by Dex Dutton. You might recognize that name, because he’s also a partner in Thunder Coffee and is a friendly local fella.

Dex makes his burgers Oklahoma style, which means there are thinly sliced onions thrown into the meat mix once the patty hits the flat top. The burger is then smashed by using two wide spatulas. The meat and onions get caramelized in the process. Once fully cooked, the patties are placed on a toasted potato roll with cheese, pickles and special sauce. These sandwiches are simply delicious.

Beef Cakes only shows up around town a handful of times per summer. It’s a special event, and this smash burger stall often sells out in under an hour. If you see a notice on social media, run, don’t walk to the Beef Cakes location. Be sure to follow @beefcakes.nd on Instagram.

I really enjoy ethnic flavors, so next on the list is Namaste Kitchen. It’s owned by perhaps the nicest person in the food service industry around here, Rani Mani. Her food is also kind. And, just so you know, she is the same person that runs the Namaste Chai trailer.

The items I really enjoy at Namaste Kitchen are the naan tacos and samosas. They are full of flavor and obviously made with care. The meat samosas are described as “freaking delicious” on the menu. I cannot argue with that assessment.

Make sure to follow both Namaste Kitchen and Namaste Chai on social media to track locations. The flavors coming from the two outfits are addictive.

One of my favorite stops at the Red River Market is Saigon Kuisine, operated by Kristy Tran. Her Vietnamese-style dishes are full of flavor.

The menu usually includes dumplings, egg rolls, fried rice, noodle salads, a stir fry dish, and sometimes pho soup. Vietnamese-style egg rolls are my favorite version, so that’s a must. They are great sliced up on top of rice vermicelli noodle salads. I’m also a fan of dishes heavy on lemongrass. Her cuisine does not disappoint in that area.

The Red River Market is now back in Downtown Fargo at Broadway Square. Be sure to check out Saigon Kuisine the next time you are there.

Taco Revolution serves some of the best Latin American food in the area. The operators of this food trailer are Colombian and Mexican, and it’s an awe-inspiring amalgamation.

Taco Revolution makes tasty al pastor tacos, birria tacos, and sopes. They also make great Columbian-style items like arepas and empanadas. These empanadas differ from the usual because of the masa dough pastry. It’s a welcome rendition.

You can usually catch Taco Revolution on the east side of 32nd Avenue South in Fargo. They were most recently parked at a spot at O’Reilly Auto Parts, 1570 32nd Avenue South. Be sure to follow them on Facebook.

I do need to mention a food truck of fond memories. It’s Luchadores Taqueria, which I hungrily miss. This outfit was first located at the High Plains Reader and then later over at Fargo Brewing Company. The hot dogs, taquitos and tortas served there were all insanely good. I wish Luchadores was still wrestling up that good grub. Steve’s cuisine was delicious. If you know, then you know.

Let’s now take a trek outside of the Fargo-Moorhead area for a bit.

In Minnesota lakes country, I would definitely recommend checking out Fish Factor 108 in Fergus Falls. It’s a small Asian-Mexican fusion seafood mobile trailer. The food is really delicious, and the presentation is impressive. The flavors are fresh and not heavy. It’s a great option for a summertime meal.

If you’re ever up in Grand Forks, The Wok is definitely worth a visit. This outfit specializes in Filipino cuisine. They serve adobo, bihon noodles, lumpia, and sisig. Trust me: Everything on the menu is good. I will drive an hour to eat at this food truck. There is a possibility that The Wok may be at the 2023 Fargo Food Truck Festival, so keep an eye out. You won’t be disappointed.

The food trucks and trailers are now cruising around the area and beyond. Make sure to follow these mobile food vendors on social media. To me, it’s the flavor of summer. Get out and eat!

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Rick Gion administers a Facebook group called “Fargo-Moorhead Eats” that’s dedicated to the area’s great cooks and cuisine. The page now has 21,000 followers. Check it out, join, and feel free to post items about your local culinary adventures and home cooking. And, while you’re at it, also join the Instagram page!