Austin food trucks sometimes become brick-and-mortar restaurants. Here are some of my favorites!
Updated: February 2021
It’s slightly funny to me that Austin is known for its food trucks. We usually have a short winter and a scorching hot summer, and winter and summer don’t provide the best weather for eating outside. Austin revels in the spring and fall for outdoor eating. Outside of spring and fall, I’d rather have a controlled environment that doesn’t involve sweating profusely, shooing away flies every 15 seconds, and getting eaten alive by mosquitos OR feeling a biting cold wind while eating as fast as I can so my food doesn’t get cold.
All of this is why I’m glad some of Austin’s favorite food trucks have brick-and-mortar restaurants! The maintenance of food trucks usually cost less than a brick-and-mortar, so you could say these food trucks have “made it big.” It doesn’t make these restaurants less weird or cool but it certainly gives them more benefits. Usually, those benefits include more parking spots, bigger space, more solid kitchens, more menu offerings, alcoholic beverages, consistent hours, and climate-controlled environments for a steadier flow of customers.
Most of these food truck turned brick-and-mortar restaurants still have their trucks in action around town, in case you want to try the food truck. But, some have recently said goodbye to their food trucks because of the year-that-must-not-be-named in an effort to simplify operations. So, while all of these businesses started out as food trucks, they may not have one now.
Ready to eat? Here we go in alphabetical order: 12 Austin food trucks (or restaurants that started with a food truck) that have a brick-and-mortar restaurant!
Chi’lantro BBQ
The home of the original kimchi fries! These loaded fries and the sweet and spicy Korean fried chicken wings are some of my favorite dishes there. You can also choose from a rice bowl, noodle bowl, salad, burger, tacos, or burrito with your choice of protein.
Brick-and-Mortar: Six locations in Austin. See them here.
Trailer: Travels around town. See the calendar here.
East Side King
I want to say East Side King is the OG of Asian fusion food trucks in Austin, or at least, their food truck was the go-to when my friends and I started a night out years ago. Brussels sprouts, Poor Qui’s Buns, and Thai chicken karaage were all must-orders. You can still find their Japanese street food at their food truck at Liberty but they also opened a brick-and-mortar on South Lamar with a handful more dishes on the menu.
Brick-and-Mortar: 2310 South Lamar Boulevard, Suite 101, Austin, TX 78704
Trailer: Liberty (bar), 1618 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702
Garbo’s
Thinking about Garbo’s makes me crave a lobster roll. I like the Maine style with mayo, celery, and spices but the Connecticut style with butter is classic. While their food truck offers an abbreviated menu focused on their lobster rolls, at their brick-and-mortar you’ll find a few more dishes like fried calamari and raw oysters. The brick-and-mortar also features a wine bar.
Brick-and-Mortar: 12709 N. Mopac Expressway, Austin, Texas 78727
Trailer: Travels all around town. Check their website for the schedule.
Halal Bros
No more eating Halal Bros sitting on the sidewalk at 2 a.m.! (Though that is totally ok. 😉 ) The chicken over rice is still my go-to order and I think the magic might be in the accompanying sauce. In addition to rice dishes, you can get wraps and sides like hummus.
Brick-and-Mortars: Three locations
- 2712 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas 78705
- 1910 West Braker Lane, Suite 800, Austin Texas 78758
- 11521 N FM 620 Suite 1300, Austin TX 78726
Trailer: 419 East 7th Street, Austin Texas 78701
Julie’s Noodles
The warm soup and dumplings will make you feel toasty on a cold day, and it’s even warmer eating them inside! Handmade noodles and dumplings are some of the best comfort food. You can even get soup dumplings here!
Brick-and-Mortar: 8557 Research Boulevard, Suite 110, Austin, TX 78758
Trailer: No more
La Barbecue
Don’t be surprised. Of course, there is barbecue on this list! This restaurant is a little different than the rest because they are set up inside the East Cesar Chavez location of Quickie Pickie, a neighborhood grocery store. La Barbecue comes from the Mueller family (Louie Mueller Barbecue) and they are rightfully part of the list of top Austin barbecue joints.
Brick-and-Mortar: 2027 East Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78702
Trailer: is no more
Paperboy
The newest food truck to brick-and-mortar story is Paperboy, an eatery known for its breakfast and brunch options. Toast, breakfast, bowls, pastries – you can’t go wrong with this delicious menu for breakfast or lunch.
Brick-and-Mortar: 1203 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
Trailer: now closed
The Peached Tortilla
The Peached Tortilla is an example of elevating Asian food. The fusion menu features combinations such as kimchi queso, bacon jam fries, and banh mi tacos. You’ll find a few similar dishes on their lunch, dinner, and brunch menus but the enticing specials will have you coming back for each service time. Your options include Taco Tuesday, happy hour every day from 5-7pm Tuesday through Sunday, and weekend brunch. Their sister restaurant Bar Peached provides similar cuisine with a big patio space.
Brick-and-Mortar: Three locations
- 5520 Burnet Road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78756
- Austin Airport location
- Sister restaurant Bar Peached
Trailer: Special events only
Torchy’s Tacos
Just from looking at their logo you can see Torchy’s Tacos is a little on the rebellious side. If you’re in the mood for loaded, “damn good” tacos, head to Torchy’s. For breakfast, get the Wrangler (brisket, potato, and eggs) and for lunch, my go-to is the Independent (fried Portobello mushroom). Don’t forget the queso! Torchy’s now has over 85 (!!) locations in nine states. And it all started with a dream-chasing food trailer in Austin.
Brick-and-Mortar: 14 locations in the Austin area. See them here.
Trailer: Trailer is no more!
Veracruz All Natural
We can’t get enough tacos in Austin, and we are ok with that! Veracruz makes a pretty good migas taco and their chips are some of my favorites. They’ve also got a fine selection of aguas frescas and smoothies at their brick-and-mortar.
Brick-and-Mortar: 2711 La Frontera Blvd, Ste 320, Round Rock, TX 78681
Trailers: Four locations
- Tarrytown: 2401 Winsted Lane, Austin, TX 78703
- East Austin: 2505 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702
- Mueller: 4209 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78722
- South Austin: 4208 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Taco Window: The Line Hotel, 111 E Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78701
Via313
Things shifted in Austin when Via313 brought Detroit-style pizza to our city. Caramelized cheese in the crust?! Say no more; where do I sign up? Expanding to a brick-and-mortar meant adding thin-style pizzas, appetizers like meatballs, and salads to the menu. Check out my Austin Eats feature on Via313 here.
Brick-and-Mortars: Three locations
- North Campus: 3016 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78705
- East Side: 1802 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
- Oak Hill: 6705 Hwy 290, No.503, Austin, TX 78735
Trailers: Two locations
- 1111 East 6th, Austin, TX 78702 at Violet Crown Social Club
- 61 Rainey Street, Austin, TX 78701 at Craft Pride
Stay warm when it’s cold and cool off when it’s hot. These brick-and-mortar restaurants have got you covered when you’re craving their food truck eats!
Which is your favorite restaurant from this list? Do you know any other food trucks that became a brick-and-mortar?
P.S. Want to know my favorite restaurants in Austin? You got it.
Can’t come to the phone right now because I’m EATING! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.
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