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.
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. Â 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 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.Â
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. Â 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 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.
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.
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 12-August 23 from 5-8pm. Learn more here.
Mid-Summer Food Truck Extravaganza
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
FFTC’s 2023 Guide to FREE Summer Concerts in the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities practically sings with live music in the summer. Every corner of the metro is full of FREE
38 Family-Friendly Twin Cities Spring & Summer Farmers Markets
April’s arrival means it’s time to start dreaming about farmers market season! How much more fun does it sound to
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.