Food trucks in Galveston have become one of the island’s most exciting dining trends, offering a diverse range of options, from wild-caught Gulf shrimp to authentic street tacos.
At BeachBox, we’ve watched our guests discover these mobile eateries during their stays at our vacation rentals; Galveston’s registered food trucks deliver flavors that make every vacation meal memorable. Here, we share our top 7.
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Top Food Trucks to Try in Galveston
1. Darlene’s Shrimp Shack
This waterfront food truck has earned its spot as a local favorite for good reason. Born and raised on Galveston Island, owner Jason Reuter brings generations of shrimping experience to every basket of wild-caught Gulf shrimp.
Rating: Highly rated by locals and visitors
Price Level: Affordable with reasonable prices
Location: 1727 61st Street
Contact: 409.740.4118
Check directly for current hours
The truck sits on a waterfront plot with plenty of dock spaces and shaded outdoor picnic tables, making it perfect for beach eating. Their signature fried shrimp baskets come in eight different flavors, with garlic parmesan and Cajun being customer favorites. Don’t miss their signature hush puppies and scratch-made cocktail sauce and tartar sauce.
Learn more about Darlene’s Shrimp Shack.
2. Captain Ceviche
Young entrepreneur Isai Romero opened this popular mobile eatery in the summer of 2022, specializing in fresh ceviche and lobster dishes that quickly gained attention on social media platforms.
Rating: Popular among locals and on social media
Price Level: Mid-range for specialty seafood
Location: 6102 Stewart Road @ 61st Street
Contact: 281.889.9460
Opening Hours: Varies seasonally
With 12 items on the menu, including eight different styles of ceviche and four lobster dishes, Captain Ceviche fills a unique need in Galveston’s mobile food scene. The outdoor picnic tables make it perfect for beach eating, and their dishes are designed for easy-to-prepare foods that travel well.
3. El Jefe Mexican Food Truck
This father-and-son-operated food stand brings authentic Mexican cuisine to Broadway, serving everything from scratch-made tortas to their famous Birria Tacos.
Rating: Popular for dinner and late-night eating
Price Level: Affordable, authentic Mexican
Location: 3801 Broadway
Contact: 832.638.9168
Opening Hours: 5 pm-midnight weekdays, 5 pm-2:30 am Friday-Saturday
Moises Velez, born in the Mexican State of Guerrero, is a self-taught chef who passes his skills to his son. Their famous Birria Tacos feature USDA-grade chuck beef cooked low and slow for over six hours, served with homemade consommé. All salsas are scratch-made daily, and they offer refreshing agua frescas.
4. Golden Rooster Taqueria
This family-owned and run taqueria brings the flavors of Tampico, Mexico, to Broadway, with multiple generations working together behind the grill.
Rating: Popular with lines during meal times
Price Level: Budget-friendly with large servings
Location: 3324 Broadway
Contact: 409.599.9809
Opening Hours: Daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Janie and Javier Rodriguez moved to the US in the 1990s and opened this taqueria in spring 2017. All food is scratch-made with large servings, and both red and green homemade salsas pack a punch. There’s a shaded area with tables on the premises.
5. Shrimp ‘N Stuff Food Truck
Part of the family-owned Shrimp ‘N Stuff Restaurant legacy since 1976, this food truck location brings decades of seafood expertise to Jamaica Beach.
Rating: Known as “the place where the locals eat”
Price Level: Great value for fresh Gulf seafood
Location: 16603 San Luis Pass Road in Jamaica Beach
Contact: 409.539.2459
Opening Hours: Check for seasonal hours
The truck offers wild-caught, Gulf-coast shrimp that’s fresh, never frozen, and breaded with a family recipe from the 1970s. Their fish tacos use fried or grilled fish or shrimp topped with special scratch-made sauce. Located in the Ocean Food Mart parking lot with ample picnic seating.
6. Wings and More Food Hut
Wings and More Food Hut is a favorite among locals because it’s a great spot to get tasty food quickly. They serve all kinds of delicious dishes that are perfect for a quick meal after spending time at the beach.
Rating: 4.6/5 stars
Review Count: 107 reviews
Price Level: Moderate pricing
Location: 2122 61st St, Galveston, TX 77551
Contact: +1832-902-8076
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
7. The Walking Taco
This professional taco truck offers both mobile food service and catering packages for events throughout Galveston.
Rating: 4.7/5 stars
Review Count: 997 reviews
Price Level: Moderate
Location: 711 25th St, Galveston, TX 77550
Contact: +1409-974-4076
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Friday-Saturday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Specializing in walking tacos and street tacos, they offer vegetarian options, gluten-free options, and customizable menus for corporate events, school events, and private parties. They provide both food truck service and an indoor buffet setup.
Read more about The Walking Taco.
Tips for Finding the Best Food Trucks
As your BeachBox hosts, we’ve learned a few insider secrets about Galveston’s mobile food scene that can enhance your culinary adventure. With 47 registered food trucks currently operating in the city, timing and location knowledge make all the difference.
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Try the Specialties: ask about their most popular items or family recipes
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Bring Cash: Having cash ready speeds up your ordering
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Visit During Peak Hours: this is when food is freshest and turnover is highest
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Follow Social Media Platforms: helpful since some trucks move between festivals, farmers’ markets, and different street corners throughout the week
Read more about where to eat in Galveston and get yummy recommendations!
Wrapping Up
Galveston’s food trucks offer an authentic taste of the island that perfectly complements your BeachBox vacation experience. Whether you’re grabbing wild-caught Gulf shrimp after a day at the beach or enjoying authentic street tacos during a sunset stroll, these mobile eateries bring the flavors of coastal Texas right to your fingertips.
Ready to taste the island? Book your stay with BeachBox and discover why our guests keep coming back for both our hospitality and the incredible local food scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular food truck cuisines in Galveston?
Based on our experience hosting guests at BeachBox, the most popular food truck cuisines include fresh Gulf seafood (especially shrimp and fish), authentic Mexican street food, BBQ, and Cajun-inspired dishes. Many trucks specialize in easy-to-prepare foods perfect for beach eating, with scratch-made sauces and locally-sourced ingredients.
Do Galveston food trucks offer catering for events?
Yes! Many of Galveston’s registered food trucks offer catering packages for private events, corporate gatherings, and family reunions. The Walking Taco, for example, provides both on-site food truck service and indoor buffet setups.
Where can I find food trucks during festivals and events?
Galveston food trucks regularly appear at local festivals, farmers’ markets, and special events throughout the year. During major events like Lone Star Rally, many trucks cluster near downtown areas and The Strand. Social media platforms are the best way to track their locations during these busy periods.
Are there vegetarian and gluten-free options at Galveston food trucks?
Absolutely! Many trucks now offer vegetarian options and gluten-free options to accommodate dietary restrictions. The Walking Taco specifically mentions customizable menus with these options, and several Mexican food trucks naturally offer vegetarian choices like quesadillas and veggie tacos.
What’s the best time to visit food trucks for the freshest food?
From our experience guiding BeachBox guests, the best times are during peak meal hours – lunch (11 AM – 2 PM) and dinner (5 PM – 8 PM). This ensures high turnover and fresh ingredients. Many trucks also post their daily specials on social media platforms each morning.
Do food trucks in Galveston accept credit cards?
Most modern food trucks accept credit cards, but some locations, especially in Jamaica Beach and other west end areas, are cash-only. We recommend checking with individual trucks or bringing cash as backup. Many cash-only locations have ATMs nearby for convenience.
