The 12 Best Food Trucks in Durham NC You Need to Try in 2026

The perfect food truck in Durham NC awaits you in a scene filled with chefs serving everything from handcrafted burgers to authentic international cuisine. Durham food trucks have become culinary destinations in their own right and offer flavors that rival traditional restaurants. You might search for a Mexican food truck Durham NC locals rave about or check out food trucks in Durham today to grab a quick lunch. The options are impressive. This piece explains 12 food trucks in Durham NC today and covers their signature dishes, locations and what sets each one apart.

Only Burger

_{Image Source: Only Burger}

Only Burger holds a special place in Durham’s food truck history, having launched operations back in 2008 as one of the first mobile eateries to hit the streets. The venture gained national attention during a Food Network competition in 2010. While the business now operates from a brick-and-mortar location, the original food truck remains available for private events.

Only Burger’s Signature Dishes

The Classic Only Burger and The Deluxe rank as top sellers. The Carolina, The Texan, and The Fried Green Tomato Burger maintain devoted followings. Each burger features a 1/3 lb patty made from humanely-raised beef that contains no antibiotics or hormones. Customers can substitute the standard beef with turkey, chicken, veggie, impossible, lamb (certified halal), or brisket options. Popular dishes include lamb sliders and bacon and blue burger variations. All burgers arrive made-to-order on house buns with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and special sauce.

Only Burger Location and Hours

The restaurant operates at 3710 Shannon Rd., Suite 118 in Shannon Plaza, Durham, NC 27707. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 11am to 8:30pm. The location closes on Sundays. Both dine-in and takeout service are available, with online orders requiring credit card verification at pickup. Customers can reach the restaurant at 919-937-9377.

Only Burger Pricing

The base Only Burger starts at $10. Cheese additions range from $1.10 for American to $1.85 for premium options like bleu cheese or feta. Cheddar and swiss each cost $1.55, while provolone runs $1.85. Bacon adds $2.25, fried eggs $1.35, and grilled mushrooms or peppers $1.55. Guacamole tops out at $3.00, with other sauces and toppings priced between $0.25 and $2.25. Premium bun upgrades include pretzel buns for an additional $2.00 or gluten-free options at $3.00.

What Makes Only Burger Special

The operation bridges fast food convenience with gourmet quality. Fresh ingredients combine with custom-blended beef and house-made recipes developed through decades of fine-dining experience. Nothing gets pre-cooked, which maintains quality standards while keeping prices affordable. The customizable menu accommodates most dietary restrictions and allergy concerns. Freshly cut fries and hand-breaded onion rings complement the burgers.

Chirba Chirba Dumplings

The big yellow truck brings authentic Chinese-style dumplings to Durham streets and serves hand-pleated creations that earned recognition as the 2015 Best Food Truck. Chirba Chirba started from a nostalgic craving for childhood dumpling flavors that weren’t available in the United States. The name translates to “eat eat” in Mandarin Chinese and embodies a warm, hospitable invitation to guests.

Chirba Chirba Dumplings’ Signature Dishes

Hand-pleated dumplings are the foundation of the menu, with options spanning multiple flavor profiles. Juicy Buns feature sweet and savory pork in super juicy mini bun format. Chicken minis arrive tossed in chili oil for heat seekers. Vegetarian customers can order dumplings filled with bok choy, mushrooms and chives. The menu rotates with seasonal dumpling specials among everyday favorites.

Spicy Glass Noodles serve as a popular side, prepared with green onion, tamari, sriracha, carrots and sesame oil in vegetarian and vegan versions. Four signature sauces improve the dumpling experience: Chirba Spicy ranks as the house-made spiciest option, while Garlic Sesame delivers teriyaki-like flavors with orange notes. Pineapple Curry offers sweet and sour elements. Black Vinegar provides the traditional dumpling accompaniment.

Chirba Chirba Dumplings Location and Hours

The yellow truck moves to different locations throughout Durham. Customers track the truck’s whereabouts through social media updates.

Chirba Chirba Dumplings Pricing

Pricing information varies based on location and event schedules. The truck serves both regular routes and catering bookings.

What Makes Chirba Chirba Dumplings Special

Quality ingredients and hand-pleating techniques distinguish these dumplings from mass-produced alternatives. The globetrotting team draws inspiration from travels in Taiwan and China. National exposure came through a feature on the television show “My Family Recipe”. The operation combines authentic preparation methods with creative seasonal variations. Each visit is a chance to find new flavors. Private catering services extend the dumpling experience to events beyond regular truck stops.

Things to do in Durham.

Cocoa Cinnamon

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Cocoa Cinnamon blends coffee culture with artisanal beverages at three Durham locations. Each features house-made syrups and local ingredients. Areli Barrera Grodski and Leon Grodski Barrera founded the business, which rose from bikeCOFFEE in 2011 to its first brick-and-mortar shop at 420 W. Geer St. in January 2013. Two additional locations followed at 2627 Hillsborough Road in 2016 and 2013 Chapel Hill Road in 2017.

Cocoa Cinnamon’s Signature Dishes

Signature lattes tell stories through ingredients. The Al Mokha combines Little Waves espresso with house-made dark chocolate sauce and Sri Lankan cinnamon. This honors the Port of Mokha’s historic spice trade routes. House on Mango Street features house-made caramel in a sweet, creamy latte named after the Sandra Cisneros novel. Doctor Bartlett blends dulce de leche with cayenne pepper for a spicy-sweet combination.

Simón Bolívar builds on yerba maté rather than espresso. It incorporates allspice, cayenne, and honey to reflect the Venezuelan revolutionary’s trip through South America and exile to Jamaica. Amuleto (Vanilla Bean Latte) uses house-made vanilla bean syrup, named ‘Amulet’ to honor how the Olmecs used vanilla orchid flowers to protect themselves.

Fresh churros distinguish the Lakewood location, served plain or in four sugar flavors including harvest and cardamom. The churro a la mode pairs hot churros with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, topped with condensed milk drizzle for $8.00.

Cocoa Cinnamon Location and Hours

The original location at 420 W. Geer St. operates Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 7:00pm. Weekend hours run 8:00am to 7:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. The Chapel Hill Road location maintains Monday through Wednesday hours of 7:30am to 7:00pm.

Cocoa Cinnamon Pricing

Espresso drinks start with Classic Espresso and Batch Brew offerings. Signature lattes command higher prices, with the churro a la mode priced at $8.00. All specialty drinks feature Little Waves Coffee Roasters beans, the in-house roasting operation that ships globally.

What Makes Cocoa Cinnamon Special

The team consists of over 90% women and non-binary individuals. They represent more than 10 countries and eight languages. Little Waves Coffee Roasters earned recognition as 2022 Micro Roaster of the Year, then expanded operations with a 5,200-square-foot building and 160-pound roaster capable of processing 150 pounds per batch.

Parlez-Vous Crepe

Owner Jody Argote trained in the art of crepe making while living and working in Beaune, France. She brought authentic French techniques to the Durham food scene. Her approach centers on seasonal local produce. She creates both savory and sweet crepes that beat what you’ll find at most restaurants.

Parlez-Vous Crepe’s Signature Dishes

The Mediterranean ranks among top choices. It features organic baby spinach, feta, caramelized onions, tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. This savory option showcases how French technique pairs with fresh vegetables. The Fluffernutter delivers decadent satisfaction to those seeking indulgence. It combines peanut butter, chocolate and marshmallow cream.

Fresh fruit crepes provide lighter dessert alternatives and emphasize seasonal ingredients. The menu rotates based on available local produce, so offerings line up with what farms supply throughout the year. Both savory and sweet preparations demonstrate the crepe fundamentals learned in France.

Parlez-Vous Crepe Location and Hours

Press Coffee Crepes & Cocktails operates at 359 Blackwell Street in the American Tobacco Campus. Crepe enthusiasts in Durham can visit Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm. Weekend brunch hours run 9am to 3pm Saturday and Sunday. This European-inspired coffeehouse offers quality coffee alongside sweet and savory crepes. The covered patio provides outdoor seating options.

Parlez-Vous Crepe Pricing

Pricing varies based on crepe selection and additional ingredients. Customer feedback indicates the location maintains fair pricing. Press CCC also operates locations in Graham at 133 N Main Street and Raleigh at 400 Hillsborough Street.

What Makes Parlez-Vous Crepe Special

French training sets these crepes apart from standard American versions. Argote’s time in Beaune provided authentic technique knowledge that translates to superior texture and flavor. The commitment to seasonal local produce means ingredients arrive at peak freshness and enhance each crepe’s taste profile.

The combination of traditional French methods with North Carolina’s agricultural bounty creates something distinct. The operation sources from local farms whenever possible rather than importing all ingredients. This supports regional agriculture while delivering exceptional quality. This approach yields crepes better than most restaurant offerings and bridges Old World expertise with New World ingredients.

Food trucks in Orlando.

The Parlor Food Truck

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The Parlor Food Truck brings premium burgers built from a distinctive three-meat blend to Durham events and gatherings. Ground chuck, ribeye and brisket combine in each patty and create depth that single-cut burgers cannot match. The operation caters corporate functions, weddings, graduation parties and private celebrations. A pop-up Old Fashioned bar operates outside the truck at select events and offers craft cocktails alongside the food menu.

The Parlor Food Truck’s Signature Dishes

The Parlor Burger features the signature three-meat blend with white American cheese on egg buns. A Breakfast Burger variation adds a medium egg, cheese, two bacon slices and spicy mayo to the standard patty. The Parlor Chicken Sandwich is an alternative to beef options.

Soft Pretzel & Sausage Platter serves as a shareable option. Fried Brussels Sprouts & Bacon delivers a vegetable side with substance. Chicken Wings arrive in portions of eight whole wings with blue cheese dressing and celery. A 1/4lb All Beef HotDog rounds out the savory selections for quick bites.

The Parlor Food Truck Location and Hours

The truck operates at various Durham locations throughout the week. You can check @parlourfoodtruck on Instagram for current schedules and positioning. Weather conditions and sellouts affect availability, so social media gives the most accurate up-to-the-minute updates.

The Parlor Food Truck Pricing

What Makes The Parlor Food Truck Special

The three-meat burger blend sets this operation apart from standard food truck fare. Private event catering goes beyond typical lunch service and brings quality burgers to celebrations. The optional Old Fashioned bar addition transforms the truck into a full-service event solution.

Bulldega

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Bulldega Urban Market is a family-owned grocery and convenience store in downtown Durham that also serves prepared meals from an in-house kitchen. The establishment sits across from Major the Bull in City Hall Plaza and combines market offerings with made-to-order food service.

Bulldega’s Signature Dishes

The kitchen prepares cold-cut sandwiches and hot menu items during business hours. Classic Turkey Sandwich and Classic Reuben Sandwich each sell for $10.49. The Turkey Reuben Sandwich matches that price point. The Godfather, Bulldega’s signature sandwich, costs $10.99, and the Roast Beast Burger rounds out featured items at $10.99.

Customer reviews highlight the BLT and sliders as standout choices. A fresh salad bar allows guests to build custom salads with toppings that include spicy mushrooms. Ready-to-eat lunches, wraps and grab-and-go options supplement the made-to-order selections.

Bulldega Location and Hours

The market sits at 129 W Parrish St, Durham, NC 27701. Full menu service runs from 9:00 am to 8:10 pm daily. Extended hours operate Thursday through Saturday until 10:00 PM, with Sunday hours from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Monday through Wednesday close at 9:00 PM.

Bulldega Pricing

What Makes Bulldega Special

The operation emphasizes local produce and humanely raised meats from regional farms. Wine and beer selections feature local vendors among everyday grocery necessities. Downtown workers and residents benefit from the central location’s accessibility for quick lunch options or grocery shopping in one stop.

Weekend trips from Charlotte.

Nana Taco

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NanaTaco launched in September 2011 before rebranding as NuvoTaco in March 2019. The establishment serves fresh food made from quality ingredients at 2512 University Drive.

Nana Taco’s Signature Dishes

Traditional proteins like chicken and pork anchor the menu. “Dirty meats” feature fried oysters, smoked duck, beef tongue and pork belly. Tacos, burritos and bowls accommodate meat, seafood and vegetarian priorities. Hand-pressed corn tortillas and house-pickled jalapeños boost each dish.

Margaritas complement the food menu. The House version uses Lunazul Silver while the Uptown option features Lunazul Reposado. The Afterburn Margarita delivers heat that spice enthusiasts crave.

Nana Taco Location and Hours

The restaurant operates Wednesday through Saturday from 11am to 9pm, with Sunday hours running 11am to 8pm. Dine-in service has outdoor seating. Online and kiosk ordering provide convenience. Curbside service allows customers to check in from their cars when picking up orders.

Nana Taco Pricing

Three tacos cost $10.00 while two tacos run $6.75. Nachos sell at $13.50, and the C.B.D. Burrito (Chorizo, Beef, Duck) reaches $16.00. Standard burritos or bowls start at $11.50.

What Makes Nana Taco Special

Owner Gillie grew up in Durham and has managed daily operations since the 2011 opening [471]. Catering services extend the experience beyond the restaurant location.

Boricua Soul

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Husband and wife team Toriano and Serena Fredericks fuse Puerto Rican and African American culinary traditions at their American Tobacco Campus location. The operation evolved from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar restaurant that opened in November 2019.

Boricua Soul’s Signature Dishes

Pernil Soul Bowl has slow-roasted Puerto Rican pork shoulder topped with pickled red onions, arroz con gandules, collards, mac and cheese, and tostones. Chicharrones de Pollo Soul Bowl substitutes seasoned fried chicken thighs for the pork while keeping the same sides. Sweet Potato Cheesecake Empanadas are a signature dessert. The Pernil Mac and Fries Pile layers roast pork and Southern mac and cheese over beer-battered fries with mayoketchup sauce.

Boricua Soul Location and Hours

The restaurant is at American Tobacco Campus. Hours are Monday 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Tuesday 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Wednesday 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM, and Thursday through Saturday 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Sunday is closed.

Boricua Soul Pricing

Plates start at $10.00 for filling portions.

What Makes Boricua Soul Special

Both cuisines share roots in West African, Native Indian, and European ingredients. The 40-seat dining room extends to a covered patio that fits 75 guests.

Date night ideas in Charlotte.

The Pie Pushers

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Thin-crust pizza cooked to a snappy finish distinguishes Pie Pushers from standard pizzeria offerings. The operation evolved from one of Durham’s 10-year-old food trucks to a brick-and-mortar location. The truck stays active to cater events.

The Pie Pushers’ Signature Dishes

The Jerry combines pepperoni and country sausage on tomato sauce. Dan’s Zza loads the crust with pepperoni, country sausage, salami, mushrooms, fresh red onions, bell peppers, and fresh garlic. Eggplant fries feature skin-on sticks with a crisp coating served with marinara. Fried garlic knots stuffed with pepperoni and cheese offer an inventive appetizer.

The Pie Pushers Location and Hours

The restaurant sits at 117A W. Main St., Durham, NC 27701, above the Pinhook bar. Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 9pm. Sunday and Monday are closed.

The Pie Pushers Pricing

What Makes The Pie Pushers Special

Pizza by the slice availability works well for quick lunches. The $27.00 pizza and pitcher special serves dine-in customers. Gluten-free crust options make the menu more accessible.

Comparison Table

Enjoy Food Trucks in Durham NC

Durham’s food truck scene offers remarkable variety. Only Burger serves customizable gourmet patties. Chirba Chirba makes hand-pleated dumplings. Boricua Soul blends Puerto Rican and Southern fusion. Each truck brings distinct flavors and techniques, whether French-trained crepes or three-meat blend burgers. By a lot, several operations have evolved into brick-and-mortar locations while they maintain mobile service for events.

You need some effort to track these trucks. Most update locations through social media rather than fixed schedules. Diners who follow favorite vendors on Instagram or Facebook can catch them at convenient times. The Durham food truck landscape rewards exploration, with each truck delivering quality that rivals traditional restaurants at available price points.

FAQs

Q1. What types of cuisine can I find at Durham food trucks? Durham’s food truck scene offers diverse options including gourmet burgers, Chinese dumplings, French crepes, Mexican tacos, Puerto Rican-Soul food fusion, thin-crust pizza, and specialty coffee. You’ll find everything from traditional comfort food to international flavors, with many trucks using locally-sourced ingredients and authentic preparation methods.

Q2. How do I find out where Durham food trucks are located? Most Durham food trucks update their locations through social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook rather than maintaining fixed schedules. Following your favorite trucks on these platforms ensures you’ll know when and where they’re operating. Some trucks like Only Burger and The Pie Pushers have permanent brick-and-mortar locations, while others like Chirba Chirba Dumplings and The Parlor Food Truck move to different spots throughout the week.

Q3. What price range should I expect at Durham food trucks? Durham food trucks offer accessible pricing with most meals ranging from $6 to $18. For example, tacos start around $6.75 for two, burgers typically cost $10-$18, and specialty items like dumplings or pizza slices run $4-$15. Many trucks provide filling portions at reasonable prices that compete favorably with traditional restaurants.

Q4. Do Durham food trucks accommodate dietary restrictions? Yes, many Durham food trucks offer options for various dietary needs. Only Burger provides multiple protein substitutions including veggie and impossible patties, while Chirba Chirba offers vegetarian and vegan dumplings. The Pie Pushers has gluten-free crust options, and several trucks feature customizable menus that can accommodate allergies and dietary preferences.

Q5. Can I hire Durham food trucks for private events? Several Durham food trucks offer catering services for private events. Only Burger’s original truck is available for private bookings, The Parlor Food Truck caters corporate functions and weddings, and The Pie Pushers maintains mobile service for events alongside their restaurant location. Contact individual trucks directly through their social media or websites to arrange catering.