On the Go: D.C.’s Top Food Trucks for Families

Artisanal food trucks are popping up on street corners all around the District. And a handful of them are serving up mouth-watering curbside snacks with a kid-friendly slant (think: sliders perfect for small hands, no-spill empanadas, and tot staple grilled cheese). No tables? No problem. Many of these family-catering food-mobiles strategically park near green spaces, making a picnic lunch a no-brainer. Bon appetit!

Crepe Love
Mini-francophiles will love this all-electric truck that stocks both sweet and savory crepes. Kids are privy to the ham and cheese for lunch and the Nutella and bananas for, well, anytime of the day. If Junior becomes obsessed with the “parisian pancakes,” call them up to cater his next birthday party.

Where to find it: All over D.C. (find out where on their Facebook page)
Online: crepeamour.com

Arepazone Looking for a filling and healthy lunch-on-the-go for kiddo (that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg)? Try this brand spanking new truck, which sells kid-friendly, Venezuelan-style arepas. For the uninitiated, an arepa is a grilled corn patty that is opened up to make a pocket. It’s crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside, and filled with everything from ham and cheese to shredded chicken and avocado salad. Drool.

Where to find it: Rosslyn, Ballston, Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, and all over D.C. (find their exact location by visiting their Twitter page)
Online: arepazone.com

Tortuga
The main attraction at this food truck is the Mexican torta, traditional street food made with a folded roll, meat, cheese, peppers and onions. More than a plain ol’ sandwich the tortas at Tortuga are inspired by all of Central and South America, the Caribbean and Spain. Equally cool is the length of this truck—it’s a whopping 23 feet long, which is why it isn’t permitted in Downtown D.C. or Arlington. But, if you live near Fairfax County, Va, you’re in luck!

Where to find it: All over Fairfax County, Va
Online: tortugatruck.com

DC Empanadas
Handmade with fresh, local ingredients, the empanadas ($3.50-$4.50 each) hawked at this truck span the traditional (filled with black beans and rice) to the quirky (filled with beef wellington or chicken tikki). The “Speedy Gonzales”—stuffed with Queso Blanco, Asadero Cheese & Mozzarella Cheese—is a tot fave. Full disclosure: These bad boys are deep-fried so don’t go overboard (one is enough for two little ones to split).

Where to find it: Metro Center, L’Enfant Plaza or Union Station
Online: dcempanadas.com

Meggrolls
This little blue truck’s top chef takes the classic Asian egg roll and spins it on its head. There’s a shrimp mac and cheese roll, a Reuben roll, a Chorizo Poblano roll…even an Apple Pie roll. Need we say more? Each egg roll costs $6 (or two for $11). Heads up! These street eats sell out fast, so take advantage of a vacation day and visit the truck as soon as they open up shop.

Where to find it: Clarendon and Rosslyn (in Arlington, Va)
Online: meggrolls.com

Snocream Shavery
Snow may not be in D.C.’s weather forecast for a few months, but it’s definitely on the dessert menu. For an icy treat experience the whole family will love, head to Snocream Shavery, an inconspicuous food bus located in an Annandale, Virginia K-Mart parking lot. The coolest thing since the District saw liquid nitrogen ice cream, this is one sweet spot you’ll want to repeat.

Where to find it: 4221 John Marr Dr. (Annandale, Va)
Online: snocreamcompany.com

Does your family have a favorite food truck? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Photos courtesy of Crepe Amour via Flickr, Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Meggrolls via Facebook, Justin C. via Yelp, Arepazone via Facebook