Happy New Year, 2015!

Happy 2015 to you, too!  2014 had some big shoes to fill after everything that happened in 2013, and I’d say it far surpassed expectations.  Obviously and without question, the arrival of Wesley singlehandedly outdid the entire previous year.  On top of that I started a new job at an incredible company.  To celebrate the end of a fantastic year, I revisited Goldbely to order something special for Ev and me (sorry Wes).

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Austin City Guide 2013: Austin’s Newest Food Trailers

Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide

Click image to see the full 2013 AFBA City Guide

While some choose to focus the calendar around January 1st, Austin revolves around something a little more important: South by Southwest.  I mean, sure, you could celebrate the day changing, just like it does 364 other times a year, along with every single person in the world.  OR you could be a little weird and celebrate 2,500+ bands, 730+ film screenings, and thousands of other events, all crammed into 10 days.

I like to use this as an opportunity to reflect on the newest food trailers making a name for themselves.  By no means is this list a full representation of the dozens (hundreds?) of new trailers hitting the scene.  In fact, this post would get unwieldy very quickly if I tried to include them all.  Here are just a few to whet your appetite.  Hope you’re hungry. (all photos are mine)

CENTRAL

Kicking things off, an entirely new trailer park has opened on UT Campus called the Rancho Rio Eatery.  You could stop here in the morning and be all set until bed time, with coffee, waffles, smoothies, sandwiches, Thai food, pizza, sausages, dessert, and more.

Velveteen Coffee House – Facebook | Food Trailers Austin
Run by a young husband and wife, this trailer makes a mean cup of coffee.  Though primarily targeting the bleary-eyed students on their way to class, you should plan to swing by for your caffeine boost and avoid the lines at Starbucks.  If the line gets long, they’ve been known to offer up free samples of other menu items while you wait.

Velveteen Coffee House

Coffee at Velveteen Coffee House

Cow Tipping Creamery – My Reviews One Two ThreeWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
For a new spin on ice cream Cow Tipping Creamery is working its magic with soft serve.  This isn’t some pedestrian TCBY knockoff; this truck puts together special flavor combinations.  Grab a Cone, Shake, or Stacker (below) and sit back and let the goodness wash over you.

Fluffer Nutter

Fluffer Nutter at Cow Tipping Creamery

The Mighty ConeWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Not new by any means — in fact, one of the oldest food trailers in town — has a new home.  You’ll find all the same, coney goodness in a new location.  The Mighty Cone is an institution, and as such, its new location needed to be mentioned.

The North Loop neighborhood has seen a boom in bars and restaurants recently, and now trailers are finding their way there too.  Two new spots, which couldn’t be more different, are offering some great eats worth checking out away from the downtown fray.

Melvin’s Deli ComfortWebsite | Facebook
With a weekday, lunch-only, meat-heavy menu, Melvin’s Deli Comfort makes big sandwiches with house-made deli meats.  We’re talking huge pastramis, hefty hot Italian beefs, and rich Croque Monsieurs.  Get there early, though, because they seem to run out of popular menu items (ahem, pastrami) pretty quick.

Melvin's Deli Comfort Italian Beef 1

Italian Beef at Melvin’s Deli Comfort

The Vegan NomWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
To counter Melvin’s meatastic menu, The Vegan Nom focuses on vegan tacos, along with other animal-free breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare.  No promises, but you might just forget that there’s no eggs, meat, or cheese by the time you’re finished here.

Guac N Roll – Website | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
A green truck, with a mohawk, and a clever name — talk about a winning combination!  Plus most of their guacamole menu –yes, a whole section of different guacamole options– is based on musical puns (Guac The Casbah, anyone?).  It’s just outside of the North Loop area, and worth a stop on your way to or from downtown.  Follow them on Twitter, since rumor has it they may be going more mobile soon.

SOUTH

Little Big Mike’sWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Pizza in Austin has seen some relative improvement recently, but is still a veritable dead zone in the land of Tex-Mex and BBQ.  Little Big Mike’s, located on South Congress, offers a new style to the city by featuring individual pan pizzas with all kinds of unique flavor combinations.  Hatch Green Chile & Avocado, anyone?

Burro Cheese Kitchen Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
If there’s something more comforting than a grilled cheese sandwich, I’m not sure I’ve found it.  Burro Cheese Kitchen elevates the grilled cheese to the next level, while staying true to its roots.  The cheese is the star of the show, made obvious by the impressive list of options listed on the menu.  Check them out on South Congress until the trailer park closes down.

Waylon & Willie at Burro Cheese Kitchen

Waylon & Willie at Burro Cheese Kitchen

Yeti Frozen CustardWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
You say “frozen custard”; I say “ohmygodgetoutofmyway”.  With that said, true frozen custard is rare find, kind of like a Yeti.  Swing by Yeti Frozen Custard on South 1st for a real treat.  Even better idea?  First grab some La Barbecue (scroll way down) and follow it up with some Yeti dessert.

Concrete at Yeti Frozen Custard

Concrete at Yeti Frozen Custard

Tommy Want Wingy – Facebook | TwitterFood Trailers Austin
Although I question the name choice, the premise is solid.  The worst part about chicken wings is the mess.  TWW does the prep work for you and you’re left with chicken wing popsicles.  Think of them as wings in drumstick form, like this.   Find them at the Barton Springs Neighborhood Food Court.

Honky Tonk Hot DogsWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Sometimes you need a good ol’ fashioned hot dog, dressed how you like it, and served with a punch of live music.  Honky Tonk Hot Dogs delivers on all counts, including performances from the very talented owner Scott.  Drop by for a dog, some tunes and, as is typical with many food trailer parks, be sure to BYOB.  They’re next door to Tommy Want Wingy.

Honky Tonk Hot Dogs

All-American w/ sample of chili at Honky Tonk Hot Dogs

Lard Have Mercy!Website | Facebook | TwitterFood Trailers Austin
Probably the best name for a trailer, ever.  Specializing in deep fried everything, Lard Have Mercy! is a great late-night snack place — y’know, when that fried Twinkie doesn’t sound quite so bad.  Find them on South 1st.

NORTH

One of the most noteworthy trends this past year has been the expansion of food trailers to the greater Austin area.  Now Round Rock and Pflugerville each have their own dedicated food trailer parks serving the underserved and doing it quite well.  From my experience, both of these mentioned BBQ trailers can hold their own against any barbecue found in the greater Austin area.

UPDATE: THE ROUND ROCK FOOD TRAILER PARK IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

Round Rock isn’t just home to Dell and giant donuts anymore.  The Round Rock Food Trailer Park is the first food trailer park to set up in this Austin suburb.

UPDATE: CURLY’S PERFECT PIG AND HALL OF FLAME BBQ HAVE CLOSED THEIR TRAILERS AND HAVE OPENED A JOINT VENTURE BRICK-AND-MORTAR RESTAURANT CALLED CURLY’S CAROLINA, TEXAS.

Curly’s Perfect Pig – My Reviews One Two | Website | Facebook | TwitterFood Trailers Austin
Sure, Curly’s serves barbecue, but this isn’t like any Q you’ll find in Texas.  Here pig is king.  At this Carolina style BBQ you’ll almost forget you’re in Texas with the first bite of pulled pork.  Get it on a sandwich, baked potato, or just on a plate.  No matter how you order it, you’ll be impressed.  Right off of I-35, it isn’t really that far to pay a visit up to Round Rock.

curlys baked potatoes

Pulled Pork Baked Potato at Curly’s Perfect Pig

A little northwest of Austin you’ll find the new Pflugerville Pfood Ranch serving the outer edge of Austin to those who don’t want to fight I-35 traffic to get deep into Austin.

Hall of Flame BBQ – My ReviewWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Technically not new, but new to the mainstream scene, Hall of Flame BBQ knows how to cook meat.  With brisket that rivals the best in town and a wasabi cole slaw that will blow you away, it’s worth the trip away from downtown just a bite before heading back.  Currently only open on Saturdays, they’re hoping to expand hours and locations soon.

Hall of Flame BBQ

Beef Ribs and Sausage at Hall of Flame BBQ

SCATTERED

Little Fatty’s – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Serving up gorditas (which quite literally translates to little fatty), these guys are taking to the streets in a seriously mobile way.  At five bucks apiece, you’ll be handed an extra large arepa-like pocket packed with big flavor.  Easy for on-the-go mouth filling.

EAST

Fried and TrueMy ReviewWebsite | Facebook | Twitter
Oh boy.  Decisions, decisions.  Funnel cake or fried Oreos?  Chocolate-covered candied bacon or deep fried Sriracha grilled cheese sandwich?  If you’re like me, the only choice is to get all of it.  Want it for half the calories?  Go with a friend and share.  Open late on the East side, perfect for post-drinking refueling.

Deep fried Oreo and Funnel Cake at Fried and True

Deep fried Oreo and Funnel Cake at Fried and True

Lastly, I want to mention two (three?) trailers that have reinvented themselves in the last year.

East Side King @ The Grackle – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Never content with success, (Top Chef) Paul Qui has rebuilt one of the East Side King trifecta.  The Grackle location has a new truck and new menu, making it as new as an old trailer can be.  The menu is just as inventive as the other spots, but remains heavily focused on utilizing it’s big grill.  A great stop at the easternmost stretch of East 6th St to either start or end your night.

J Mueller BBQ –> La Barbecue “Texicana Cuisine” – WebsiteFacebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Thought of as one of the tops in the city, J Mueller BBQ has been rebranded as LA Barbecue Texicana Cuisine (don’t even get me started on the name).  The change came after John Mueller was unceremoniously relieved of his post as pitmaster and replaced by Franklin BBQ alum John Lewis.  It’s still turning out some of the finest BBQ in the city under John Mueller’s sister (LeAnn)’s watchful eye. (My Review of J Mueller BBQ)

Beef Rib at LA Barbecue

Beef Rib at LA Barbecue

JSM Meat Market – Website | Facebook | Twitter
John Mueller is the pitmaster you love to hate.  Not one to shy away from controversy, one thing most people can agree on is he makes some mean BBQ.  Perhaps best known for his beef ribs, go grab a sampler from his new location out East.

JMueller - Meat Plate

Sampler at J Mueller BBQ

Hot Rod Coffee Trailer

There’s an unassuming trailer in a nondescript parking lot in a oft-forgotten part of town.  In that no man’s land on Burnet Road, north of 2222 and south of Anderson, one trailer is making noise by offering an uncommon combination of tasty fare.  The Hot Rod Coffee Trailer specializes in coffee to get you going in the morning, and then naturally shifts gears to serve up fancy-sounding hot dogs.  Why?  Well, why not.  And to round things out, the trailer is all about motorcycles and muscle cars.  Coffee, hot dogs, horsepower.  I’m in.

Hot Rod Coffee Trailer

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Dogellos

What do you get when you smother delicious hot dogs with delicious homemade chili?  Delicious homemade chili dogs.  Add in some dry humor, a genuinely nice guy, and an unexpected, irrationally good cup of coffee and you have yourself Dogellos.  A nondescript trailer near UT campus in the parking lot of a bike shop, Dogellos is the only dedicated chili dog trailer in Austin.

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The Evil Wiener

Hot dogs are the quintessential street food, which is why it makes sense food trucks all over Austin have been upscaling them into gourmet gastronomy.  After months of following The Evil Wiener on Twitter, I finally made the trip over to their truck.  The Beast is an imposing truck for sure, promising more than your average wiener.  On this day I went with a coworker and his wife (both new to the food truck scene) to see what The Evil Wiener could bring to the food truck party.

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Let the Battle(s) Begin!

I’ve gotten the urge to do some real scientific, in-your-face, who’s-king-of-the-castle, head-to-head(-to-head) taste tests between some of our favorite trailers. This post is just a preview of what I have on deck. The rules are simple: 1) Each place needs to offer up a similar, nearly identical menu item for a fair competition. 2) The food needs to come from a trailer. That’s it. Let the battle(s)… BEGIN!

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