Step aside, mundane lunch routine! Columbia, SC has transformed into a paradise for adventurous food lovers, presenting a diverse array of flavors served fresh from mobile kitchens. The days when food trucks were associated with questionable hygiene or inconsistent quality are long gone. Today, Columbia’s food truck scene is a formidable presence, led by passionate chefs who craft innovative and delectable creations that rival even the most acclaimed brick-and-mortar establishments.
From succulent, slow-cooked barbecue glazed with tangy sauce to colorful vegan bowls packed with fresh ingredients, Columbia’s food trucks satisfy every culinary desire. Whether you’re an experienced “food truck enthusiast” who can navigate a menu with the expertise of a seasoned sommelier, or a curious newcomer just beginning to explore the world of mobile cuisine, navigating the ever-growing Columbia food truck landscape can be both exciting and overwhelming. Fear not, fellow Columbia culinary explorers!
We’ve undertaken a flavorful quest, combing the streets and online reviews, consulting local food connoisseurs, and carefully analyzing customer feedback. The outcome? The definitive guide to Columbia’s top 10 food trucks in 2024! Prepare yourself for a gastronomic journey where savory tacos meet mouthwatering Korean BBQ and everything in between. This carefully curated list will have you enjoying juicy burgers one day and indulging in light, decadent waffles the next. So, abandon your predictable lunch routine, quiet your hungry stomach, and get ready to be amazed by the culinary artistry on wheels that Columbia offers! Join us as we reveal the most popular food trucks guaranteed to excite your taste buds and leave you yearning for more!
- Location & Dates Vary
LaBoo’s Finest stands out from typical food trucks. Helmed by the dynamic Chef Corey LaBoo, affectionately dubbed the “Turkey Wang Man,” LaBoo’s Finest has cultivated a dedicated customer base not only for its tasty cuisine but also for Chef LaBoo’s contagious enthusiasm and motivational background. The truck’s specialty is their deep-fried turkey wings, a recipe refined from childhood recollections and mastered through years of culinary trials. These wings are far from ordinary; LaBoo’s presents an array of flavors, ranging from the traditional lemon pepper to the bold teriyaki. However, the menu extends beyond wings. LaBoo’s also offers indulgent mac and cheese, an ideal accompaniment to their signature poultry dish. Columbia residents assert that LaBoo’s Finest is an essential experience for its distinctive approach to comfort food, the vivacious personality behind the brand, and its reputation for consistently serving up irresistibly delicious fare.
Turkey Wangz
Shrimp Tacos
Lobster Mac
Fries
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Desiring crispy, succulent chicken and golden fries? Baby Susie’s Chicken and Fries Food Truck is the answer. This Columbia favorite has secured its position among the city’s top contenders through its commitment to fresh, never-frozen ingredients and time-honored family recipes. Unlike many food trucks, Baby Susie’s concentrates on a concise yet refined menu. Their golden fried chicken, seasoned with a proprietary blend of herbs and spices, is adored by locals. However, the true standout might be their Soul Rolls – flaky, savory pockets filled with a delectable mixture. Don’t overlook the fries – crisp on the exterior and fluffy within, they’re the ideal accompaniment to any menu selection. Columbia residents affirm that Baby Susie’s Chicken and Fries Food Truck is a premier choice for its consistently excellent offerings, amiable service, and its knack for elevating classic comfort food to new heights.
Turkey Wings
Chicken Baskets
Soul Roll
Shrimp Fries
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A Peace of Soul Food Truck doesn’t just please your palate; it nourishes your spirit with entirely plant-based cuisine. This Columbia favorite caters to both vegans and vegetarians, offering a fresh interpretation of traditional soul food dishes. Forget heavy, greasy meals – A Peace of Soul utilizes fresh ingredients and creative techniques to craft flavorful, satisfying vegan versions of Southern classics. Their “chick’n” and waffles, featuring crispy plant-based “chick’n” atop fluffy golden waffles drizzled with maple syrup, is a best-seller. They also serve inventive takes on mac and cheese, jambalaya, and even “fish” and chips – all guaranteed to delight your taste buds without any animal products. Columbia residents assert that A Peace of Soul Food Truck is a top choice for its delectable and innovative vegan renditions of soul food staples, its dedication to fresh ingredients, and its ability to serve a growing health-conscious clientele.
"Chicken"
Mac & "Cheese"
"Spare Ribs"
Veggies
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Longing for a seaside flavor without departing Columbia? Fishin’ Fellas Food Truck is your destination! This mobile seafood oasis delivers the freshest catches directly from the coast to the Midlands. Fishin’ Fellas stands out for its dedication to quality and affordability. They present an assortment of fried seafood baskets, allowing you to select from favorites like tilapia, bream, whiting, and catfish. Each dish is prepared upon order, guaranteeing a crispy exterior and perfectly flaky interior. The menu extends beyond these offerings. Fishin’ Fellas also entices diners with juicy crab legs, savory salmon patties, and a shrimp po’ boy renowned for its richness (in flavor, of course!). Columbia residents assert that Fishin’ Fellas is a top choice for its commitment to fresh seafood, generous portions at reasonable prices, and its ability to evoke a beachside experience with every delectable morsel.
Fried Fish
Fish Sandwiches
Crabtots
Shrimp
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Metro Smokehouse BBQ & Catering surpasses the typical mobile barbecue experience. While their slow-smoked meats undoubtedly please barbecue aficionados, their true distinction lies in their commitment to unique flavor profiles and inventive interpretations of Southern classics. They prioritize locally sourced ingredients when available, ensuring freshness and bolstering local agriculture. However, the centerpiece of their operation is the smoking process. Metro Smokehouse utilizes a proprietary blend of woods to create a distinctive smoky essence that permeates every dish. Their menu showcases all the barbecue essentials – succulent pulled pork, tender brisket, and zesty ribs – but also features creative options like smoked chicken wings and even smoked sausage mac and cheese. Columbia residents affirm that Metro Smokehouse BBQ & Catering is a top choice for its emphasis on quality ingredients, innovative flavor combinations, and its ability to elevate traditional barbecue to new culinary heights.
Beef Brisket
Ribs
Baked Beans
Peach Cobbler
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Yearning for authentic South Carolina BBQ with a contemporary flair? Smoke It Up Food Truck is your destination. This Columbia favorite stands out for its commitment to tradition and its ability to enhance classic barbecue dishes. Smoke It Up employs time-honored methods, slow-smoking their meats over hickory and oak for an exceptional flavor profile. From tender pulled pork to succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs, their barbecue selections are certain to please any traditionalist.
Yet, Smoke It Up isn’t afraid to innovate. They also offer lighter choices such as BBQ wraps and sandwiches, ideal for a quick and tasty lunch. No Southern BBQ experience would be complete without sides, and Smoke It Up delivers all the classics – baked beans, coleslaw, and mac and cheese – all prepared from scratch using fresh, local ingredients.
Columbia residents affirm that Smoke It Up Food Truck is a top choice for its dedication to slow-smoked, genuine barbecue, its inventive menu options, and its commitment to using premium, locally sourced ingredients.
Smoked Chicken
Pulled Pork
Spare Ribs
Potato Salad
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Mi Promesa Authentic Mexican Food transcends the typical taco truck experience. This family-operated venture brings genuine Mexican flavors directly to Columbia’s streets, emphasizing fresh ingredients, traditional recipes, and the commitment (“promesa” in Spanish) to deliver delectable cuisine. Epigmenio Pimentel and his spouse Dora, proprietors of Mi Promesa, believe authentic flavors need not be complex. Their menu showcases an array of tacos, featuring fillings such as flavorful carne asada, zesty chorizo, and succulent carnitas.
Beyond tacos, they serve sopes (fried corn masa pockets), savory tortas (sandwiches on soft rolls), and indulgent gorditas (thick corn tortillas). Columbia residents praise the freshness of ingredients and the authenticity of flavors. Mi Promesa stands out in the Columbia food truck landscape for delivering a taste of Mexico in every morsel, honoring tradition while providing an appealing and affordable lunch or dinner option.
Tacos
Gorditas
Quesabarrias
Sopes
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“What the Food Truck” truly embodies its name with a playful and dynamic menu. This Columbia favorite boldly challenges culinary norms, presenting inventive and unexpected variations on familiar dishes. The menu rotates seasonally, ensuring the use of fresh, local ingredients. One visit might feature gourmet grilled cheese with surprising fillings like fig jam and brie, while another could offer Korean BBQ tacos or a fusion take on traditional street food. This ongoing innovation keeps loyal patrons excited, never quite knowing what delectable surprise awaits them.
However, What the Food Truck isn’t solely focused on novelty. They emphasize high-quality ingredients and skilled preparation, ensuring each dish delivers a burst of flavor. Columbia residents assert that What the Food Truck is a top choice for its adventurous spirit, dedication to fresh ingredients, and its ability to consistently surprise and delight customers with unique and tasty creations.
Burgers
Wraps
Sandwiches
Fries
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Pawley’s Front Porch Food Truck surpasses the typical mobile burger vendor. Drawing inspiration from the relaxed ambiance of Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, this Columbia favorite brings coastal flavors inland. They’re acclaimed for their delectable, handcrafted burgers made with fresh, never-frozen beef. The “Wadmalaw Burger” is particularly popular among locals, featuring a succulent patty topped with pimento cheese and crispy fried onion strings.
However, Pawley’s Front Porch offers more than just burgers. Their menu also includes savory chicken sandwiches, crisp salads, and creative tacos – all prepared with premium ingredients. No visit to Pawley’s Front Porch is complete without sampling their renowned cold beer, ideal for enjoying a casual meal under the South Carolina sun.
Columbia residents praise Pawley’s Front Porch for its laid-back atmosphere, delicious interpretations of comfort food classics, and its dedication to using fresh, local ingredients.
Burgers
Tacos
Wraps
Salads
- Location & Dates Vary
Longing for authentic south-of-the-border flavors? Los Chicanos Food Truck is your destination! This lively Columbia favorite delivers genuine Mexican cuisine, emphasizing fresh ingredients and bold tastes. They surpass the typical taco truck – Los Chicanos presents a varied menu catering to all palates. Their signature tacos come in multiple styles, from the traditional carne asada to daring options like lengua (beef tongue) and al pastor (marinated pork).
Beyond tacos, they serve flavorful enchiladas, refreshing elotes (grilled corn on the cob), and substantial Enchilada Bowls – ideal for a satisfying lunch or dinner. Columbia residents appreciate Los Chicanos for its commitment to authenticity, generous servings at reasonable prices, and its ability to evoke the ambiance of Mexican streets with each delectable morsel.
Nachos
Tacos
Burritos
Bowls
