These days, simply follow your nose around Seattle’s neighborhoods to find vibrant food trucks doling out fresh, takeaway fare. Not only is truck’n for a meal offer a safer option (especially as masks are lifted but COVID remains a threat), food truck dining makes room for kid wiggles at the “table” and allows families to taste-test their way through cuisines from around the globe.
Here are just a few tempting truck options exploring the tastes of Hawai’i, Cuba, Mexico, Kansas and that internationally beloved ingredient, cheese:
Tropical love
Skip the suitcases, and whisk the family off to a local tropical locale at three brightly hued, Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max trucks circulating through the region and offering a true taste of Hawai’i. Their website calendar and Instagram page post an updated location list that ranges from Chuck’s Hop Shop in the Central District to the Sunday Fremont Market. In addition to fresh poke offerings, the menu boasts best-sellers like the fried chicken ($14.25) by award-winning chef, author and proclaimed “GodFather of Poke” Chef Sam Choy. Young diners will especially love add-ons like the mac salad side ($4.05) and Hawaiian soda ($2.95). samchoyspoke.com
Just say Cheese
The Cheese Pit, another staple of the Sunday Fremont Market (and often found in downtown Woodinville and other Eastside spots on weekdays) doles out killer grilled cheese sammies that promise to please even the simpler eaters among us. Try the traditional “Old Skool,” American cheese melted on fresh Macrina Bakery sourdough bread ($9). Or, make it vegan with the “Goodie 2 Shoes.” (Gluten-free bread is available at no extra charge.) thecheesepit.com
Meatlovers?
Meat-eating youngsters are sure to enjoy the smoked, Kansas City-style flavors of Wood Shop BBQ, whose truck rotates among addresses from Westlake Park to family-friendly breweries like Stoup Brewing. Savor the ribs, Hickory Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich ($12), served on a toasted brioche bun with buttermilk slaw, house-made pickles and pickled onions, or the classic potato salad ($4). thewoodshopbbq.com
Tastes from South of the Border
Mexicuban exposes young diners to an approachable fusion of flavors, representing two beautiful cultures. Use their website calendar to track down the cheerful, multihued truck at spots from Eastlake to the Magnolia 76 Gas Station. Wow the kids with the signature Chicken Fluffy Tacos. All the sides promise to be a hit, too (think yuca and sweet potato fries, plus tostones, crispy fried plantains). mexicuban.com
Woof it down!
Don’t forget the pets! Children get a kick out of The Seattle Barkery, which has been delighting pups (and their owners) with fresh treats since 2014. Wednesdays through Sundays, experience the joyful scene at The Treat Trailer inside the Magnuson Off-Leash Park or The Treat Truck, found at Redmond’s Marymoor Park. theseattlebarkery.com
