Sometimes only street food will do. Hit up these small and mighty kitchens on wheels for Turkish coffee, Mexican corn, doughnut bites, pupusas and half a pineapple piled with chicken and shrimp.
A Toda Madre
Looking for Latin flavors? This truck serves up tacos, tortas, quesadillas, sopes, elote (corn slathered in mayo and cotija cheese) and chips and guac. Find it weekdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at two Arlington locations. 2088 15th St. N., Arlington, (Courthouse), and 1100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Ballstonian
Isa Seyran’s pint-size three-wheeler is brewing up Turkish coffee, black tea and masala chai, plus baklava and other treats. A former waiter at some of the D.C. area’s best restaurants (read about his adventures and brushes with fame in this book excerpt), Seyran was born in the Turkish city of Sivas and has called Ballston home for more than 20 years. He launched the Ballstonian in June 2023. Find him weekdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., and weekends, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Char’d
For a burger fix, this truck, parked at Tysons Galleria on Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-midnight, has addictive grass-fed beef patties topped with American cheese, pickled jalapeño, lettuce and onion. Chicken wings, grilled cheese and fries round out the menu. Track the truck to see where else it’s headed each week. 2001 International Drive, Tysons
Chix N Stix
For some ultimate comfort food, treat yourself to chicken tenders, chicken wings, hot dogs, onion rings and the vendor’s specialty, Flavor Fries, in varieties such as beer, Old Bay or ranch. This truck has been serving the DMV for 10 years.
Kool Zone
Chow down with a side of giggles when you order options like the Picky Mother Klucker (a build-your-own sandwich with house-made chicken bites) or No Klucken Way (a veggie bowl with basmati rice). Other fan favorites include a shrimp and chicken pineapple boat, fried pickles and fried Oreos. Find the truck at weekly pop-ups in Ballston and Courthouse.
Mama’s Donut Bites
If you like your doughnuts piping hot and mini, you’ll spot this mobile sweet shop on Saturday mornings at the Falls Church Farmers Market, and you can track it through its Facebook page or Instagram feed. Recent stops include the Westover and Fairlington farmers markets.
Paisano’s Pizza
The pizzeria with 40-plus locations across the DMV also has a food truck serving neighbors in need. The “Paisano’s With a Purpose” program has a goal of distributing 10,000 meals each year. The next distribution is July 30. To get involved and find out how you can help, email paisanoswithapurpose@
Pho Xpress Trailer
Grab some Vietnamese grub from this truck dishing out Vietnamese street food such as steaming bowls of pho and bánh mì on baguettes. 2531 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
Rossana
Need coffee stat? Sisters Randi and Maria Milton stand ready to meet those caffeinated cravings with double espressos, cortados, cold brews and seasonal signatures such as a peach-basil latte or summer frozen latte. Prefer to get your pick-me-up from tea? The options include wild Thai green tea, Earl Grey lavender and more. Pair your bev with tasty snacks such as a spiced carrot parfait or a baguette stuffed with ricotta and proscuitto. See the monthly location calendar here.
Savor 503
This Salvadoran vendor is all about pupusas. Try them stuffed with pork and cheese or just cheese. Other items include chicken taquitos, and beef or veggie pastelitos. Track down its whereabouts on Instagram.
Tasty Kabob
Father-and-son John and Steve Hanifi have been firing up favorites from their home country of Afghanistan since 2010. Today, they have a fleet of five trucks making the rounds, with stops at The Boro in Tysons Sunday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-midnight, and Friday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Build your own feast, choosing rice, salad or pita as a base for chicken, lamb or meatballs. Sides include chickpeas, spinach, okra and potatoes. 1624 Boro Place, Tysons