North Carolina’s food truck scene has exploded with creative chefs bringing global flavors to the humble bun. From steamed bao to brioche, these mobile kitchens transform simple handheld meals into international culinary adventures. Grab your napkins and prepare for a taste tour across the Tar Heel State, where these 13 food trucks are redefining what it means to eat on the go.
1. Bun Intended (Asheville)
Award-winning Thai-inspired magic happens inside these pillowy steamed bao buns. Locally sourced meats get the royal treatment with homemade sauces that pack authentic Southeast Asian punch.
Their fame spread beyond mountain circles when featured on ABC’s The Chew. Regulars swear by the lemongrass pork belly bao with pickled vegetables and cilantro.
Visit during Asheville’s food truck rodeos for special menu drops and live music that makes the wait worthwhile.
2. El Querubin (Asheville)
Venezuelan meets Carolina in this Highland Brewing staple. Their signature ‘Carolina Cubano’ marries pulled pork with ham, Swiss cheese, and a mustard-BBQ sauce that dances between continents.
Not to be missed: BBQ arepas topped with avocado crema – a South American corn cake elevated with Southern smoke. The truck’s vibrant yellow exterior matches the sunny disposition of its staff.
Locals pair these fusion creations with Highland’s craft beers, especially when the cilantro-lime mojo sauce is involved.
3. Queen Eggxpress (Durham)
Morning commuters line up for this breakfast royalty on wheels. Specializing in grab-and-go morning meals, their steak-and-egg burritos wrapped in warm flour tortillas redefine breakfast sandwiches.
The secret weapon? Toasted artisan rolls that somehow stay crisp outside while soaking up savory egg goodness inside. Vegetarians rave about the roasted veggie scramble with goat cheese.
Find them downtown Durham before 10 AM – they frequently sell out by mid-morning, leaving latecomers eggless and regretful.
4. Another Food Truck (Charlotte/Raleigh)
Don’t let the unassuming name fool you – Chef Anthony Denning creates nostalgic fusion that bridges Northeastern and Southern culinary traditions. His hot chicken smash combines Nashville heat with Philadelphia-style pressing techniques.
The ‘Dirty Mac’ has achieved cult status: mac & cheese topped with braised beef, collard greens, and cornbread crumble. Everything comes on house-baked buns with surprising structural integrity.
Social media followers get first dibs on pop-up locations and limited specials that frequently sell out within hours.
5. Chick-N-Que (Raleigh/Durham)
Family recipes rule at this BBQ chicken specialist where smoke meets spice. Their signature sandwiches feature chicken thighs marinated for 24 hours before hitting the grill, then dressed with a secret sauce passed down three generations.
The ‘Alarm Cluck’ delivers morning-appropriate heat with a sweet-and-spicy profile that wakes up taste buds. Each sandwich comes with house-made slaw that adds crucial crunch.
Founded by two cousins who quit corporate jobs to pursue BBQ perfection, they’ve built a devoted Triangle following.
6. Bon Fritay (Raleigh/Durham)
Haitian street food gets the spotlight at this vibrant truck where ‘fritay’ (fried foods) shine. Their griot sandwich features marinated pork shoulder cubes slow-cooked then flash-fried for textural magic.
Spicy pikliz – a vinegary cabbage slaw with Scotch bonnet peppers – cuts through richness. Sweet fried plantains add caramelized notes that balance each bite perfectly.
The owner learned these recipes from her grandmother in Port-au-Prince before bringing them to North Carolina, where the truck has become a festival favorite.
7. Cilantro Mexican Cuisine (Durham)
Authentic Mexican street food gets elevated through careful ingredient sourcing at this award-winning truck. Their tortas come on locally baked bolillo or brioche buns, supporting layers of carnitas, avocado, and queso fresco.
The chef’s Oaxacan background shines through in complex mole sauces made with over twenty ingredients. Each sandwich comes with house-pickled jalapeños that provide bright heat contrasts.
Pro tip: Ask for extra fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime – the truck namesake herb brightens every creation they serve.
8. Grill-Am Filipino Fusion (GR Fil-Am Grill)
Filipino flavors meet American sandwich traditions at this family-run operation. Their kagilak-ngala burger combines ground pork seasoned with lemongrass, garlic, and calamansi, topped with grilled pineapple relish.
Each creation comes nestled in a purple ube-infused bun that Instagram food hunters chase across counties. The truck’s exterior features hand-painted Filipino cultural symbols that tell the family’s immigration story.
Weekend specials often include sisig (crispy pork face) served on pandesal rolls – a combination that’s converted countless first-timers to Filipino cuisine fans.
9. Saffron on Wheels (Raleigh)
Indian street food gets the mobile treatment from Chef Patel, who trained in Mumbai before bringing his talents stateside. Butter chicken stuffed inside naan-style buns creates a portable version of the restaurant favorite.
Seekh kebab rolls feature ground lamb skewers wrapped in flatbread with tamarind and mint chutneys. Vegetarians celebrate the paneer tikka sandwich with charred Indian cheese and pickled onions.
The truck’s signature move: adding mint chutney that balances the rich, creamy curry sauces and transforms ordinary lunches into aromatic adventures.
10. Smash Ahh Burger (Charlotte)
Soul food meets burger craft at this Charlotte favorite where the smash technique creates lacy, crispy-edged patties. Their signature Southern-Creole burger features a mushroom-onion mix pressed directly into the beef before hitting the griddle.
Brioche buns get a brush of butter and quick toast before cradling these flavorful creations. The ‘Big Mama’ comes topped with pimento cheese, fried green tomato, and comeback sauce – pure Southern indulgence.
Truffle-parmesan fries have their own following; locals order extra for the ride home.
11. Blasian Asian Way (Charlotte)
Korean and Chinese influences collide at this popular Charlotte truck where steamed bao buns get stuffed with unexpected fillings. Their Korean BBQ beef bao comes loaded with bulgogi, house-made kimchi, and gochujang aioli.
Vegetarian options shine equally bright – the five-spice tofu bao with pickled daikon and carrot has converted many meat-eaters. The husband-wife team behind the counter learned these recipes during extensive travels throughout Asia.
Early arrival is essential at food truck parks – lines form quickly for these perfect two-bite flavor bombs.
12. BO’s Kitchen Hibachi Xpress (Various NC cities)
Japanese teppanyaki techniques get the street food treatment at this roaming truck. Flat-top grills sizzle with proteins before they’re tucked into soft rolls with caramelized onions and mushrooms.
The ‘Loaded Combo Bun’ features steak and chicken with a drizzle of their famous yum-yum sauce and spicy mayo. Vegetable hibachi buns come packed with zucchini, broccoli, and bean sprouts for plant-based eaters.
Their schedule covers multiple NC cities, with loyal followers tracking their movements through social media to get their hibachi-on-the-go fix.
13. Momo Truck (NC)
Nepalese dumplings take center stage at this unique truck specializing in momos – Himalayan stuffed pockets of joy. Their innovative ‘momo buns’ combine traditional fillings with fluffy bao-style bread instead of the usual thin wrappers.
Water buffalo momos pay homage to traditional Kathmandu street food, while chicken and vegetable versions appeal to American palates. Each order comes with three dipping sauces of varying heat levels.
The owner-chef fled political unrest in Nepal, bringing family recipes that now delight North Carolinians seeking authentic Himalayan flavors.
