These days it seems like there's a food truck on every corner. But how to know which is the best choice for the savvy street-food fan?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable food trucks in Santa Monica, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture when hunger strikes.
1. Wicked Fish Tacos
Topping the list is Wicked Fish Tacos. This Westchester-based truck — which offers seafood tacos, carne asada fries, poke bowls and more — is the highest-rated low-priced food truck in the Santa Monica area, boasting 4.5 stars out of 39 reviews on Yelp.
The food truck is often found at 2900 31st St., near Ocean Park Blvd. To catch Wicked Fish Tacos' appearances in Santa Monica, check out its Instagram page.
2. Boba Tea & Me
Next up is Santa Monica's Boba Tea & Me, based at 1328 Wilshire Blvd., its brick-and-mortar location. The food truck also makes regular appearances at the corner of Arizona and 3rd St.; check its Instagram account for its schedule.
With 4.5 stars out of 30 reviews on Yelp, the mobile drink shop has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a budget-friendly option. Customers can expect to find teas like its Panda Boba Milk Tea or the colorful Butterfly Blossom Lemonade.
3. Backpackers Truck
Los Angeles-based Backpackers Truck is another top choice. When in Santa Monica, the truck can be found at Santa Monica Business Park at 2850 Ocean Park Blvd. or at Food Truck Alley at 2700 Pennsylvania Ave. As with the others, stay updated via its Instagram.
Yelpers have given the low-priced Korean and health food truck 4.5 stars out of 18 reviews. Customers can choose from meal options like the barbecue bulgogi fries and the tofu kimchi bowl.
4. Elabrew Coffee Truck
Elabrew Coffee Truck, a truck that offers coffee and tea, is another much-loved, inexpensive go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 14 Yelp reviews. The bookable mobile outfit brews coffee from Stumptown beans, and Yelpers recommend its vanilla latte.
It also has a brick-and-mortar location in Santa Monica. Head over to the storefront at 2425 Colorado Ave. to see for yourself, or catch the truck at one of its stops in the Los Angeles area. (Check out its Instagram for updates on locations.)
