Just when it seemed dining out was out of reach due to the rising cost of everything, along came an army of food trucks ready to serve up hot, tasty, inexpensive treats. Though Napa has always had its share of fabulous taco trucks and, more recently, catering food trucks, the range of everyday casual eating options via food truck has significantly expanded in the past year. Food trucks can now be found all over town, but most notable is the line-up of trucks flanking the east and west sides of Soscol Avenue between McKinstry Street and Lincoln Avenue. From mouthwatering Filipino fare to gourmet burgers, the variety of tasty treats along this corridor will satisfy any craving. Great eats are also tucked into industrial areas downtown and in corporate parks around the valley and are worthy of the short drive it takes to get to them.
Remember that food trucks tend to be a bit nomadic, so if a particular truck has been seen in one location for a while, it is best to not assume it will be there the next time there is a craving for those exotic fruit smoothies or fried chicken sandwiches. Always check the truck’s social media sites for updates on where they will be parked and on which days.
So, what exactly are Napa food trucks serving up these days? In true Napa style, there is a vast selection of mouthwatering options, from gourmet coffee and breakfast pastries to authentic Italian favorites to some of the best burgers in the valley and generously stacked deli sandwiches that rival anything from NYC. And, of course, amazing tacos and Mexican fare.
Popular newcomers along Soscal Avenue tout menus with foods and flavors as good as those of Napa’s brick-and-mortar eateries.
The Burger Truck, owned by Mike and Katie Nigliazzo, offers some of the best burgers in Napa. Having years of experience at Don Giovanni and Morimoto’s, these proprietors bring their well-honed cooking skills to their new business. The menu is simple: they offer three standard burger types, made with their unique brisket/chuck blend of ground beef, and then feature a rotation of specialty burgers like their Philly Chop or Chili Crunch Burger. // @theburgertrucknapa
Asian Burger // Photo by Chris Andrews
Another new “burger” option is Asian Burger, which offers three burger-style sandwiches prepared with Asian spices and fillings. Their Xi’an Pork Burger is a specialty made with aged, marinated pork. Also popular is the Spicy Chicken Burger with its cumin filling and the Black Pepper Chicken Burger, infused with an assortment of Asian spices. All three sandwiches are served on flakey Asian “crispy buns.” The ginger, garlic, sesame-infused KongFu Cucumber, and their Pickled Cabbage make excellent sides. // www.asianburgerusa.com
Big Ass Food Truck // Photo by Chris Andrews
Though just a tiny red food truck, Big A’s Sandwiches pumps out sandwiches and subs so large one can barely wrap their mouth around them. Each sandwich is layered with delicious accompaniments, from pepperoncini and sundried tomatoes to Italian herbs, black olives, and fresh veggies. Sandwich sauces range from traditional oil and vinegar to pesto and BBQ sauce, with numerous other options available. On any given day, one can select from 14 premium cured meats, 12 types of rolls, and six types of cheese. For those overwhelmed by the options, consider one of their signature sandwiches, which pair up intriguing and satisfying combinations of meats, cheeses, and veggies. // www.bigassandwiches.com
Joella’s Deli is so tasty that it made NVL’s Editor’s Pick list this year as Napa’s Best New Food Truck. It also caught the attention of the San Francisco Chronicle Food Critic Cesar Hernandez, who proclaimed, “The Bay Area’s best new fried chicken sandwich comes from a little red truck.” And that it does. Proprietor/ Chef Ian Rosenstrauch makes everything from scratch- including the buns, hot sauce, and pickles. Also remarkable is their Meatball Parm sandwich and Perla’s Chilaquiles with steak, salsa verde, queso fresco, and pickled red onions. Round out the meal with their PB & J Bread Pudding, and it will have been a good day. Located at 2485 Stockton St. in downtown Napa from Fri-Sun starting at 2pm. // www.joellasdeli.com
Some weeks, the new Pizza Dino is on the Soscol strip, and at other times, it is parked at 222 Gateway Road West, where they serve up authentic Buffalo, NY-style pizza and sliders with smashed potatoes to the hardworking folks there. Eric Smaldino, of Napa Cigars, along with friend Pete Cucinella, a retired CPA from Detroit, are the owners of Pizza Dino. Their vision was to share their favorite East Coast-style pizza with a region saturated by the wood-oven pizza experience. Stay on top of their schedule and location on Instagram, as this tasty fare is not to be missed. // www.facebook.com/PizzaDinoNap/
A fabulous newcomer to the Soscol line-up is Lasagna Con Amore. Initially launched as a ghost kitchen, Milanaese couple Chef Massimo and his wife Sonia offer some of the best lasagna in Napa Valley, in both bolognese and pesto (non-meat) variations. They also offer caprese salads and meatball sandwiches on panino. The chef’s delicately sweet Cannolo Siciliano is the perfect ending to one of these meals. // www.lasagnaconamore.com
Brigachero // Photo by Chris Andrews
For those needing a chocolate fix, the Brigachero truck has the goods with its Brazilian-style truffles, known as brigadeiro, and decadent truffle bars. Named after her favorite pet Schnauzer, Che, and her favorite Brazilian sweet (brigadeiro), proprietor/chocolatier Fabi creates a whimsical selection of mouthwatering Brazilian truffles, chocolate “barras” and spreads. A delight to behold and consume, the colorful truffles are available at her pink trailer along Soscol Avenue. // www.brigachero.com
For those who crave Filipino cuisine, look no further than Cooked by Gio. Known as Napa County’s first authentic Filipino cuisine food truck, Gio and Karla Ivan treat their customers to some of the region’s best Filipino food in the Bay area. Established in 2020 (during the pandemic), they gained popularity through pop-up events with specialty street foods such as Pork Sisig, Chicken BBQ, Lumpia, Fishballs, and Silogs. Their truck can be found outside numerous festivals, concerts, and other public events in the valley, and they frequently serve their fare outside Quinlan’s Tires at 166 Watson Lane in American Canyon (usually on Thursdays and Fridays). Check out their most current Instagram posts to stay abreast of their schedule. // www.cookedbygio.com
Local Favorites Worth Noting
Platanito Latin Cuisine
Folks come far and wide to enjoy Platanito’s pupusas, which come in nine variations and are served with their signature pickled cabbage and mild or spicy salsa. Add a fried egg on top to make it breakfast, and enjoy their popular side of fried plantains. // @platanito.pupusas
Phat Salads and Wraps
For health-conscious options, consider one of the six signature salads from Phat Salads. The Santa Fe is a favorite, with romaine lettuce, black beans, cilantro, tomatoes, bell peppers, cheddar, and tortilla strips tossed with their spicy chipotle-citrus dressing. // www.phatsalads.com
Tacos El Muchacho Alegre
Found parked daily one block from Soscol Avenue on Jackson Street, El Muchacho’s slow-cooked meats and fresh-made salsas are beyond compare, as demonstrated by the number of people cued up at their truck daily. // www.tacoselmuchachoalegre.com
The Clif Family Bruschetteria
Voted as an NVL Reader favorite in 2024, The Clif Family Brushcetteria is situated next to the Clif Family Winery’s tasting room at 709 Main Street in St. Helena. As one might expect, the Brushchetteria serves up seasonally inspired bruschetta, porchetta, rotisserie chicken, salads, and an ever-changing array of sides. // www.cliffamilyfoodtruck.com
La Gitano Taco Truck
Located at Tubbs Lane in Calistoga, La Gitano offers some of the best Mexican food in the valley. It is renowned for its fish tacos and burritos, quesabirrias, chile verde, chiles rellenos, tortas of Milaneza, and tacos with an impressive assortment of perfectly prepared meats. // @gitanatacotruck
