The 10 best food trucks in Austin

Austinites can argue all day over the best pizza in town, but there’s no discussion when it comes to which is the most indulgent. Via 313 began as a humble trailer outside Violet Crown Social Club in late 2011, and their diet-destroying Detroit-style pies have since earned them enough of a following to warrant a second trailer on Rainey Street, plus two brick-and-mortar locations. For the uninitiated, Detroit-style is a square pie known for a thick pillowy crust, a slight ridge of caramelized cheese around the edge, and generous streaks of tomato sauce layered above the toppings. It’s hard to look past the double pepperoni Detroiter, but for a more delicate option try the Cadillac (gorgonzola, fig preserves, prosciutto di parma, Parmesan, balsamic glaze).

With respect to Micklethwait and La Barbecue, barbecue trailers are their own category altogether and it's unfair to lump the Texas tradition of low and slow brisket into the same category as Detroit pizza or lobster rolls. But Valentina's style of Tex-ican fusion makes them more than just your run-of-the-mill smokers. The owner's San Antonio roots shine through in both the preference for mesquite over Central TX oak, as well as homemade tortillas that house a truly belt-busting breakfast taco (don't skimp on the extra dollar, add brisket). The meats stand on their own by the snobbiest BBQ lover's standards, but even traditionalists can't resist taco-ifying them with sea salt lime guaamole or tomatillo habanero salsa.

Austin has many a wondrous taco trailer, but the king of them all is Veracruz All Natural. As the name implies, Veracruz strays far from the long past “roach coach” stereotype with an oasis-like atmosphere that began solely as a proprietor of heat-beating drinks like snowcones, smoothies and juices. Their pivot towards savory has earned unanimous approval from the foodie sect for some of the freshest-tasting Mexican food in town that still retains a homestyle authenticity. The migas taco is worth the sometimes lengthy morning wait, but for lunch the move is one of the juiciest al pastor tacos in town, or a hearty grilled tilapia taco topped with mango pico. Wash it down with a massive 32 ounce cantelope agua fresca.

Austinites’ patience for standing in line is legendary, but the wait at most brunch spots is still nothing compared to other hip avocado-toast outposts likes of Portland and Brooklyn. Paperboy’s giving them a run for their money, with a long but totally-worth-it wait that holds rewards like a pimento cheese B.E.C. on brioche and goat chorizo toast. The half-step away from traditional brunch fair manages to be both casual (you are in a dirt lot, after all) and elevated—there are few other places in town where pickled carrots and shaved radishes sneak their way into breakfast.

Back when food trailers were still novelties, Gourdough’s made national waves for their fried-to-order, meal-sized desserts. Recently their wacky doughnut thunder was stolen by the arrival of Portland transplants Voodoo Doughnuts, but the homegrown gluttons still deserve praise for introducing Austin to the savory pleasures of bacon and chicken strips-topped doughnuts, as well as classic sugar rushes like the grilled banana, cream cheese and brown sugar Funky Monkey.