FFTC’s Guide to Kid-Friendly Food Trucks

Boy in stroller eating burger from a cardboard basket: "Kid-Friendly Food Trucks in the Twin Cities"

Summer is coming and food trucks are taking over our city! It is hard to resist the fun and flavors of summer dining at a Food Truck (or several). Family Fun Twin Cities has the scoop for you and your family, including our favorite Kid-Friendly Food Trucks and Food Truck Festivals around the Twin Cities.

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    My husband and I love the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race. The show fascinates me. The way the producers make it happen is a tad cheesy but totally worth it.

    In Season 4, they drove through Minneapolis/St. Paul. I was so proud that they referred to us as the Twin Cities.  They identified great landmarks like the Stone Arch Bridge and the State Capitol and Midway Stadium (filming was a couple of years before CHS Field opened). What I liked the best was the references to some of our local businesses.

    Where did the food trucks do the best? Parked in front of Grand Ole Creamery!

    Proud doesn’t begin to express my emotions.

    The show got me thinking about the different food trucks that are here in the Twin Cities. One thing I’ve noticed about these cuisine-on-wheels-mobiles is the food can be a little unique.  While we are big fans of all the ethnic and inventive options, a lot of kids I know aren’t into “interesting” food.  They may be okay with  a small variation from what they know and love, but usually, they aren’t looking for exotic.

    With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a list of the most kid-friendly food trucks that you can find around the metro.

    food trucks

    Food Trucks for Lunch/Dinner

    Bacon Me Crazy

    Based in St. Paul/Minneapolis – Check their Roaming Hunger page for events.
    Menu: Bacon. Bacon Sandwiches. Bacon Burgers. Vegetarian & Vegan Bacon. Also Soup, French Fries, Tots & Drinks.
    Kid-Favorite: Slap Yo’ Mama, 4 slices of perfectly grilled thick-cut bacon slices

    Fair Faves Food Truck

    Check their Roaming Hunger page for location
    Menu: All our favorite fair foods – cheese curds, corn dogs, mini donuts, burgers, hot dogs and more.

    Kid-Favorite: Pretty much anything.  It’s fair food anytime of the year.

    Lake Monster Brewing

    LMB keeps a Google calendar of upcoming Food Trucks at their location or check their website.
    Menu: Rotates with food truck on site, including tacos, pizza, beef, pork, chicken, ribs and more. 
    Kid-Favorite: Brick Oven Bus pizza nights are always a win.

    O’Cheeze

    Keg & Case, 928 West 7th, Street, S. Paul, MN 55102
    and rotating sites around the Twin Cities.

    Menu: Grilled cheese truck.
    Kid-Favorite
    : Spaghetti sandwich, Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese (this is a cheesy mac on a grilled cheese) and s’mores

    Tot Boss

    White Bear Lake, Food Truck festivals, Minnesota State Fair
    Menu: Tater tots of all flavors, including poutine, nacho, chili, pizza & loaded.
    Kid-Favorite: Classic deep fried potato tots & Pizza Tots, tots tossed in garlic-infused olive oil, covered in pizza sauce and mozzarella. Gluten-free options available.

    TruPizza

    Downtown Minneapolis, local breweries, and farmers markets.
    Menu: Traditional Neapolitan pizza.
    Kid-Favorite
    : Margherita, organic ingredients and super fresh cheese pizza

    Food Stands for Dessert

    A Peace of Cake

    Check their Roaming Hunger page for events.
    I see these guys around town all the time. I always want to follow them to their next stop wherever that may be.
    Kid-Favorite: Artisan Mini Donuts.  I don’t think I need to say anything more.

    Crepe and Cake

    Find them at the Maple Grove and Golden Valley Farmers Markets.
    Kid-Favorites: Include Fruit, Nutella, Dark Chocolate, Caramel, Cinnamon Sugar, Marshmallow. Savory crepes are also available along with gluten-free & vegetarian options.

    Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar

    Minnesota State Fair and events throughout the summer.

    You know Sweet Martha’s from the State Fair, but you don’t have to wait until the end of the summer. Find your favorite cookies at events throughout the summer.

    food trucks

    Food Trucks to Order

    Minnesota Nice Cream

    Book the cute ice cream truck for kids’ birthday parties or other private events.

    Summer Food Truck Events

    Satisfy the appetites and tastes of a whole family at these pop up Food Truck Parks. Even picky eaters can find something they like. Plus these family events often include kids activities.

    Northwest Food Truck Fest

    Details TBA.

    Food Truck Fridays

    Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN 55423
    April 21, 2023; 11am-3pm
    May 12, 2023; 10am-2pm
    May 26, 2023; 10am-2pm
    Jun 9, 2023; 10am-2pm
    Jun 23, 2023; 10am-2pm
    Jul 7, 2023; 10am-2pm
    Jul 21, 2023; 10am-2pm
    Aug 11, 2023; 10am-2pm
    August 25, 2023; 10am-2pm
    Enjoy some
    Soul to Soul BBQ or Muddy Tiger Indian Cuisine while the kids enjoy special programming at the Augsburg Adventure Park playground. There will also be music and cornhole. Weather Dependent. Additional Information.

    Food Truck Friday

    Mahtomedi District Education Center, 1520 Mahtomedi Ave, Mahtomedi, MN 55115
    May 5, 2023
    Featuring Mansetti’s Italian Cruisine, The Cherry on Top Ice Cream Truck and D&D Goodies. There will also be yard games, activities and live music. Learn more.

    Food Truck Wednesdays

    Rice Park, 109 W 4th St, St Paul, MN 55102
    Wednesdays, May 17-August 30, 2023; 11am-2pm.
    Stop by Rice Park for lunch and Live Music on Wednesdays in the summer. Learn more.

    Farmington Fall Food Truck Event

    Stelzel Fields, 19290 Chippendale Ave W, Farmington, MN 55024
    Friday, May 19, 2023; 5-8pm
    The list of food trucks in attendance includes BD Sammies, Blue Loon Concessions, Pretty Great
    Cheesecake, D&D Goodies, Kona Ice and Faith Church Root beer Stand. 5pm-8pm. Learn more here.

    Thursday Blockbusters

    Normandale Lake Bandshell, 5901 West 84th Street, Bloomington, MN 55438
    Each week, Bloomington Arts in the Park pairs a food truck with a live music performance for an outdoor dinner and concert. Thursdays June 8-August 10 from 6:30-9:00pm. Learn more here.

    Hopkins Food Truck Festival

    Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
    Saturday, June 24, 2023
    The event is free to attend and includes live music, family-friendly games and a line of over 45 food trucks selling foods of every kind. 12pm-10pm. Learn more here.

    Crowd at Anoka Food Truck Festival in Anoka, Minnesota
    Anoka Food Truck Festival. Image Credit Natarah Lee

    Midweek Music & Market Series

    Bloomington Civic Plaza, East Lot, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington
    One of the largest weekly food truck events in the Twin Cities. Families can also enjoy a mini farmers market, plus FREE lawn games and live music. Every Wednesday from July 10-August 21, 2024 from 5-8pm. Learn more here.

    Sounds of Summer Grooves & Foods

    Town Green, 7991 Main Street, Maple Grove, MN 55369
    Enjoy cover music of favorite classic rock bands hosted by Mick Sterling along with Food Trucks. Every Wednesday from July 10-August 28, 2024; 7pm. 

    Mid-Summer Food Truck Extravaganza

    Harriet Island Regional Park, 200 Dr Justus Ohage Blvd, St Paul, MN 55107

    Festival includes 40 Food Trucks, a marketplace, live music, and kid’s activities. Saturday, July 15, 2023; 11am–7pm. Facebook Event Page.

    IGH Food Truck Days

    Rich Valley Athletic Complex, 1841 105th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
    Thursdays, July 20th & August 17th, 2023
    Annual festival in Inver Grove Heights, includes family entertainment. 4:30pm-7pm. Learn more here.

    St. Paul Food Truck Festival

    Union Depot, 214 4th St E., St Paul, MN 55101
    Saturday, July 22, 2023
    Annual festival with over 45 food trucks serving global cuisine, music from local cover bands, games like life-size Jenga, mechanical bull and bean bag toss. 11am-9pm. Learn more here.

    Eagan Food Truck Festival

    Friday, August 11, 2023
    Annual festival with food trucks and music. Learn more here.

    Anoka Food Truck Festival

    Downtown Anoka, MN 55303
    Saturday, August 19, 2023
    Annual festival with live music, fun and games for the whole family, and over 50 food truck vendors. 12pm-10pm. Learn more here.

    Find Food Trucks at the Minnesota State Fair!

    More Places to Find Food Trucks

    Events We Hope Return in 2023

    Bakken Food Trucks

    2022 TBA – Select Days
    Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy some food in the Bakken courtyard. Museum admission is not required to hang out in the courtyard, but timed tickets are available to reserve if you want to make it a twofer.

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