Miami's food truck scene is alive and well and, apparently, a destination choice for hungry travelers, according to two prominent online food-and-travel sites.
Jetsetter, an online travel magazine that also books custom upscale trips such as tiger safaris and tours of California's wine country, has listed the seven top cities for food trucks. Miami ranks fourth.
See also:
- Best Food Truck: Palate Party
- Best Burger: The Latin Macho at Latin Burger and Taco
Our city's mobile food scene was bested by Los Angeles, Austin, and Portland, but we beat heavy hitters Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.
The article cites "the burgeoning art scene in Wynwood (and annual creative mecca, Art Basel)" as the impetus for our food truck scene's success, specifically the monthly roundup during art walk, which "puts more than 25 food trucks in one hipster-friendly place."
Four Miami food trucks were listed in the Daily Meal's 101 Best Food Trucks in America. Latin Burger and Taco (#68); Dim Ssam a GoGo (#59); Ms. Cheezious (#48); and Jefe's Original Fish Taco & Burgers (#47) all received nods on the list, which was whittled down from more than 450 food trucks in more than 40 cities. From those, trucks serving only one item (cupcakes or ice cream) were eliminated, and the remaining 270 mobile eateries were judged on three criteria: critical review, social score, and originality. The Daily Meal also agrees with Jetsetter, giving Los Angeles the prime spot with a whopping 16 trucks making the top 101.
Though the Big Mango might not be the leading food truck city, these rankings are good news for Miami food trucks, which continue to be placed in the national arena -- like Ms. Cheezious winning a spot on the Live With Kelly and Michael's Truckin' Amazing Cook-Off Top Ten or Anthony Bourdain dining at Dim Ssam a GoGo during his Miami Layover episode. And, of course, Cooking Channel's Eat St. films Miami food trucks frequently, bringing worldwide recognition to these small-business owners.
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