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Fulfill Your Foodie Fantasies at a South Carolina Food Truck
Libby Wiersema
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
Food trucks have changed the way America eats. Whether they claim a permanent spot on a roadside, make a location rotation each week around town, set up at festivals and outdoor markets, or show up as part of a dedicated food truck rodeo, these deliverers of deliciousness are becoming a driving force on the South Carolina culinary scene. The state is teeming with food trucks offering a wide variety of exciting options for serious noshing and casual nibbling.
Here's a small sampling of food trucks to get that appetite growling. Check websites for locations and times of operation.
CHARLESTON
The Holy City is a food truck haven with a host of innovators serving up dishes with surprising twists.
Bac'n Me Crazy: Where’s the bacon? Why it’s all right here on this Charleston food truck! Or at least it seems that way. Bacon lovers line up to indulge their passion with offerings like the KB — toasted ciabatta delivering a satisfying dose of thick-cut applewood-smoked bacon, tomato, pimento cheese and hot sauce.
Mac Daddy: This famous food truck delivers macaroni and cheese with all the goods: bacon, pulled pork, Buffalo chicken, roasted red pepper, tomato and more. The nationally lauded mac and cheese is made with 10-year cave-aged sharp cheddar and cavatappi pasta.
Seol Ah's: If you've never tried a Korean corn dog, seek out this truck for an unforgettable treat. This Korean street food fave is all the rave for its panko-encrusted dogs-on-a-stick drizzled in your choice of condiment. Bulgogi with kimchee fries and other spicy offerings will surprise and tantalize.
Roti Rolls: A long-time darling of the Lowcountry crowd, this hopping farm-to-food truck operation has found fame for its wrap-style sandwiches stuffed with a kaleidoscope of yummy things: jerk chicken, mac-n-cheese, potatoes, curried veggies and more.
COLUMBIA
Columbia is teeming with foodie hotspots on wheels. You can find a comprehensive lineup of some of the most popular at Soda City Market, which happens on Saturdays year-round on Main Street. Here are a few you might see there or in other areas of town.
Arepa Chef: Serving Venezuelan treats, including irresistible arepas—tender corn dough buns stuffed with meat and your choice of tempting toppings, including avocado, cheese, egg and spicy sauces.
Belgian Waffle Truck: These carefully crafted waffles are a hit with the Capital City crowd. Savory and sweet Belgian-style waffles come fresh from the iron dressed with everything from fresh fruit and Nutella to ham, cheese and mustard. The signature waffle comes warm with fresh, sweet strawberries and whipped cream.
Los Chicanos: Tacos, tortas, quesadillas, oh my! Satisfy your craving for Mexican food at this mainstay at Soda City Market.
Wurst Wagen: German-style eats are the specialty with a variety of wursts, such as curry wurst and cheese wurst, and your basic brats. Look for schnitzel and specials like doner Kebabs and schweinebraten, too.
GREENVILLE
The food truck scene in Greenville is robust. Nowhere is this more evident than in Greenville's lineup of offerings. Greek, Mexican, Cuban, Thai and lip-smacking barbecue and other Southern faves are keeping the mobile food movement alive and thriving. Check out this small sampling:
We Got the Beets: The catchy name of this Upstate mobile enterprise gives definitive hints that you’re about to dig into something fresh. Indeed, We Got the Beets is a hub of good nutrition, featuring healthy eats that go beyond the humble beet. Vegan? Check. Dairy free? Check. Delish? Check.
Automatic Taco: Tacos are a popular item for food truck vendors and that’s good news for you! South Carolina has amazing taco offerings, including these from Automatic Taco where tortillas are filled with mind-blowing mash-ups like mahi-mahi, lemongrass slaw and avocado and hot chicken, house pickles and crema.
The Black Thai:The Black Thai offers modern-American-styled Thai-flavor-influenced street food like the signature Black Thai Burger.
Roll-In Cuban:This truck serves authentic Cuban cuisine from Cuban sandwiches to empanadas.
Henry’s Hog Hauler: If you know anything about Henry’s Smokehouse, a Greenville staple, then you know the only thing better than Henry’s is when Henry’s comes to you!
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.