These Detroit-area food trucks trade in international flavors

By Layla McMurtrie on Mon, Aug 7, 2023 at 4:00 pm

Courtesy of the Downtown Detroit Partnership

Food trucks serve up a smorgasbordof flavors in Detroit's Cadillac Square.

There are more than 75 food trucks and counting that travel the Detroit area throughout the year, and many of the best meals in Motown come from food trucks serving up flavors from across the world. Food lovers can always find an abundance of mobile eateries parked up in hot spots such as Eastern Market, Ferndale’s Detroit Fleat food truck park, and during lunchtime at downtown Detroit’s Cadillac Square.

Here are some of the hottest international food trucks in Detroit that foodies should try.

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Facebook, El Parian Taco Truck

El Parian Taco Truck

Head to Southwest Detroit to immerse yourself in a range of Mexican cuisine. El Parian Taco Truck can be found just at 4804 W. Vernor Hwy., serving up authentic and affordable tacos, quesadillas, and more. Another TikTok foodie favroite, cheesy birria tacos with consume (broth), is also offered at this Detroit truck. The owners offer outdoor seating during the warm weather months and catering for events.

Facebook, Fork in Nigeria

Fork in Nigeria

forkinnigeria.com

After one popular Nigerian dish called fufu went viral on TikTok, this local food truck garnered tons of recognition. At Fork in Nigeria, chef Prej Iroegbu serves a multitude of classic Nigerian meals, one being pounded yam, or fufu, which is served alongside stews such as okra, egusi, or edikaikong. In the past year, the company expanded from just one Detroit location to three, with one truck on the west side on Livernois Avenue, one truck on Eight Mile Road on the east side, and a pick-up-only location on Woodward Avenue near downtown.

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Facebook, Nu Deli

Nu Deli

thenudeli.com

With a name derived from a portmanteau of New Delhi, India, and deli sandwiches, this food truck does exactly that, serving up Detroit favorites with an “Indian twist.” Some of these delicacies include a hot dog with masala sauce, a Reuben topped with Indian slaw, a tuna sandwich tossed with cilantro mint chutney, and an egg salad sandwich with curry leaf and green chili. The company is open from May through September and can be found at events and festivals across the city.

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Instagram, @hoodbachigrill

Hoodbachi Grill

instagram.com/hoodbachigrill

This 100% halal eatery fuses together soul food flavors with Japanese-inspired Hibachi entrees. The truck went on a tour throughout the eastern half of the country earlier this year and racked up close to 50,000 followers on Instagram. Normally the truck is located in Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood at 21509 Fenkell Ave., open noon-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

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Instagram, @wakabybaobabfare

Waka

instagram.com/wakabybaobabfare

Award-winning New Center restaurant Baobab Fare opened the food truck Waka in December, serving East African cuisine. The mobile eatery is present at Detroit City Football Club’s home matches at Keyworth Stadium and at Eastern Market every Sunday.

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Instagram, @aj_jamaica

A.J. Authentic Jamaica Co.

instagram.com/aj_jamaica

Usually found on the east side of Detroit, this eatery specializes in Jamaican cuisine, from oxtail and jerk chicken to fried plantains to fresh juices.

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Facebook, Impasto Detroit

Impasto

eatimpasto.com

This truck offers Italian-inspired wraps, as well as the best Italian dessert — a traditional cannoli.

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Facebook, Bao Boys

Bao Boys

eatbaoboys.com

With a residence at Ann Arbor’s York Yard, Bao Boys serves up innovative Asian bao buns with a variety of filling options, which the owners brought with them from their time living in Los Angeles. The spot also offers a nice outdoor seating area.

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Facebook, The Pita Post

The Pita Post

thepitapost.com

This truck is normally in Ferndale at Detroit Fleat, but can also be booked for private events. The eatery offers breakfast and dinner options, mainly including an array of pita sandwiches with a gourmet flair.

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Facebook, Birria El Jefe

Birria El Jefe

instagram.com/birria.el.jefe

There are tons of taco trucks in Southwest Detroit to try, but this tiny camper in the middle of a Ypsilanti parking lot is a hidden gem. The menu offers two $10 options – three birria tacos with consume or birria ramen, both of which come with a drink.

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Facebook, Polish MANIA Warsaw Cuisine

Polish Mania

polishmania.com

Traveling mostly around Macomb County for events, this food truck offers cuisine straight from Warsaw, Poland. The menu consists of pierogi, borscht, stews, kielbasa, and a variety of other traditional Polish dishes.

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Facebook, Nepantla Cafe – Mexicantown, Detroit

Nepantla

nepantladetroit.com

Queer-owned cafe and food trailer Nepantla serves vegan Mexican food, as well as coffee, tea, and juices. The truck’s home base is located at 5410 W. Vernor Hwy., but it has been popping up at events across the city for five years.

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Instagram, @paradisestreeteats

Paradise Street Eats

paradisebiryanidearborn.com

This food truck offers Indian cuisine from biryani to dosa tandoori pizza and everything in between, normally located at 1200 Randolph St. in Detroit.

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Facebook, Egg Roll Diva

Egg Roll Diva

eggrolldiva.com

These egg rolls give the Chinese food staple a Detroit flare, serving corned beef egg rolls, cheeseburger egg rolls, peach cobbler egg rolls, and many other options. The mobile eatery travels to different events in the city.

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Facebook, Beignets

Beignets 2 Go

beignets2go.com

In the U.S., beignets (French word for “pastry”) are most popular in New Orleans. This truck, normally parked at Eastern Market near Shed 5, brings the French-inspired powdered fritter to Detroit.

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