Let The Good Food Roll

The ramen burger from Blue Sparrow is a must-try.

There’s something magical about food trucks. Maybe it’s the season – mobile eateries are a sign of warmer days. Maybe it’s their menus, rivaling the fanciest, tablecloth-donned restaurants and giving diners the chance to be adventurous. Or maybe it’s the connection. The chef of a food truck is also its front-of-house team, removing all the barriers between cooks and customers.

Whatever the attraction might be, we know at least one thing: with the end of summer knocking at our doors, food truck season is coming to an end. Get a taste of your favorites -- to help, we’ve listed a few trucks we love -- before they go into winter hibernation.

Blue Sparrow

Ramen burger. Need we say more?

Since 2016, Blue Sparrow has been serving up global street food from their two-vehicle arsenal, a truck and a fully-renovated, vintage Greyhound truck fit with a full tap system. The ramen burger – a ground pork burger topped with pickles, greens, and Japanese mayo sandwiched between a ramen noodle bun – is one of their signature menu items. Their menu goes in all kinds of directions, taking influences from Asia, the Middle East, and more.

Find the bus on at the Allegheny Overlook and the truck on a rotating schedule at various breweries and coffee shops around the city.

Just Roll’d Up

From behind their window, Just Roll’d Up is bringing diners street sushi and poke.

A favorite from the truck is the Tuna Two Ways bowl: yellowfin tuna marinated and spiced with pickled red onion, fermented seaweed salad, mango, roasted macadamia, wasabi tobiko, togarashi, and ponzu, stacked on rice, salad, or a half-and-half blend of the two.

Just Roll’d Up is a staple on Pittsburgh’s North Side (find them streetside in Brighton Heights every Monday) and a regular face on the city’s brewery scene.

Mr. Bulgogi

A staple at Pittsburgh breweries and festivals, Mr. Bulgogi serves up a short menu of traditional, Korean dishes. Their namesake dish, bulgogi – thin, marinated slices of beef marinated in a mildly sweet, nutty sauce and grilled – is not to be missed. Pair it with their pint-sized, crispy fried dumplings.

The truck’s full schedule is released via social media.

Pittsburgh Taco Truck

There’s a reason the Pittsburgh Taco Truck has been winning awards since 2013 – their tacos are undeniably delicious. Their always-rotating menu typically includes tacos with beef, chicken, and pork, along with some vegan options. In winter, find soups and chili available.

A popular choice for breweries and festivals, the almost 10-year-old Pittsburgh Taco Truck lists their schedule on social media.

Pittsburgh Sandwich Society

Five-year-old Pittsburgh Sandwich Society captured the hearts (and stomachs) of Pittsburghers with their In-N-Aht burger, a play on the well-known fast-food classic, In-N-Out. The burger features two smashed-down, thin beef patties stacked on a butter-toasted bun with all the fixings: American cheese, onion jam, spring mix, tomato, pickles, and animal sauce.

The veggie burger, a stack of almost the same ingredients that doesn’t sacrifice any flavor with the meat, comes in a close second.

Handhelds and more – there’s always a tasty special or two – can be found from the truck or at their brick-and-mortar inside Strange Roots Experimental Ales in Millvale. And, bring your dog! The Pittsburgh Sandwich Society has a Fido-friendly menu.