Culinary Caravan

From late-night munchies to lunchtime cravings, BoCo’s food trucks are taking taste buds on a joy ride

By Rainbow Shultz

Who doesn’t love a food truck? Ingenious inventions run by artist-chef-mechanics, they are an inspiration to casual foodies.

Yet, as we mobile dining fans know, food trucks come with one classic catch: The trucks surrounded by a small crowd are intriguing, but you have to wait in line to find out why; and unlike their popular brick-and-mortar counterparts, you can’t beat a line with a reservation. So, it’s wise to get the inside scoop on the gems that are worth the wait. 

While nearly every Boulder County food truck has at least one signature item worth sitting down for, here are three local trucks definitely worth the wait. So, grab the latest Boulder Magazine, draft a letter to your congressman or practice meditation—whatever floats your boat—to eat up some time while you wait for top-notch roadside culinary genius.

La Rue Bayou

For anyone who ever fell in love with the Crescent City and misses her, this truck will take you right back. From the flags waving to the Mardi Gras beads on the pickup counter, this truck’s New Orleans vibe is on point, and the fare is authentic. The chef/owner grew up in Louisiana, and you can taste the state’s tradition in each plate that rolls out of this truck.

Its most popular dish, the Shrimp Po’ Boy, is served on chewy, buttery grilled French bread, dressed with house-made remoulade, lettuce, tomato, onion and peppery seasoned fried shrimp. 

Gumbo fans will appreciate La Rue’s version of the authentic Louisiana dish as well. It comes topped with a scoop of rice and is made with a perfectly browned roux, chicken, andouille, okra and peppers. Tastes like a trip through the bayou.

You can find La Rue Bayou Food Truck at special events and during their monthly rotation at The Rayback Collective, 2775 Valmont Rd. in Boulder.

Tacos La Flor de Jalisco

The pretty red trailer adorned in roses may have caught your eye when traveling on Ken Pratt Blvd in Longmont. Tacos La Flor de Jalisco serves up tacos as hot as the trailer is red. These women know how to craft a taco plate. The tacos come four to an order, served street taco style with onions and cilantro, on fresh, hot soft corn tortillas. 

Carne asada tacos are a favorite and can be enjoyed at one of the two picnic tables under a tree bordering the parking lot. Be sure to sample the homemade, dark, smoky and spicy salsa. Tacos La Flor de Jalisco is also one of the only trucks where you’ll find sopes (soft corn masa patties piled high with toppings), if you’re looking for a fun twist for lunch.

You’ll find Tacos La Flor de Jalisco on the corner of Ken Pratt Boulevard and S. Bowen Road in Longmont, open for lunch most days.

Rang Tang Craft Barbeque

This barbeque truck is not messing around—serving up seriously high-quality meat, smoked and served with some top-shelf sides. The beef is regeneratively ranched, and the pork is pasture-raised. The side dishes are all made with local and organic ingredients. The dedication to excellence is evident. The brisket and burnt ends are caked in flavor, the pulled pork is Carolina tangy, and the side dishes play their parts swimmingly. Slaw is crunchy, mac and cheese is cheesy and—most importantly—the sauces are interesting and delicious. Both the Carolina mustard barbeque sauce and the green sauce could be enjoyed slathered anywhere. Pickled onions and cucumbers add crunch and tartness to complement the plates.

You can find this busy truck at Boulder and Lafayette farmers markets, The Rayback Collective and NoBo Art District’s First Friday art walks.

More Truck Chuck

The chicken nachos from McDevitt Taco Supply—possibly the best queso you’ve ever had—at Sanitas Brewing Company, 3550 Frontier Ave., Boulder

Try the Spicy Bird chicken sandwich from Lucky Bird Food Truck. The spicy gochujang butter and house pickles on this sandwich are spot on. Hit them up at The Rayback Collective.

Mow down on the veggie pakora at Tibet’s Momo Mobile. These gluten-free crispy vegetable globes are a delight when paired with either the soy, tamarind, cilantro sauce or momo sauce. Each homemade sauce is a satisfying pool to dip your pakora toes into.  Find the truck at Odd 13 Brewing, 301 E Simpson St., Lafayette, and Rayback Collective.