This summer, try some of Pierce County’s newest food trucks, serving Filipino, Thai, BBQ

Kristine Sherred
·4 min read

It’s not easy getting a food business off the ground. Food trucks, trailers and other mobile-business options continue to provide an avenue for entrepreneurs in Pierce County to gain followers without the overhead of a brick-and-mortar.

The Washington State Food Truck Association, which supports upstart trucks in navigating local permitting requirements and plans events, shares a new one every few weeks. So far this year, a couple have added second trailers. One established special-order Filipino restaurant now roves around the region.

At Port of Tacoma most Wednesdays, food trucks offer a fresh and quick option for lunch in an area without many options.

What better time to check out restaurants where you must eat outside than late spring, going on summer? Here’s a look at a few new food trucks to try around Pierce County.

I LOVE TACOS - TACOMA & PUYALLUP

▪ 716 E. 56th St., Tacoma, 253-495-7066, instagram.com/ilovetacos253

▪ Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

▪ 209 W. Pioneer Ave., Puyallup, Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Hugo Maldonado launched the first I Love Tacos truck in 2021, following a successful catering business. This spring, he added a second truck, parked in downtown Puyallup across from Anthem Coffee. The menu offers his take on street tacos, by way of Los Angeles, with adobada, pollo, asada and tripe sprinkled with onion and cilantro ($2.50-$3). Quesadillas, burritos and the asada fries are popular orders ($8-$10). Don’t skip the day’s fresh agua fresca.

I Love Tacos has served Los Angeles-inspired street tacos from a truck at 56th and McKinley in Tacoma since 2022. This spring, the family added a second truck, parked across from Anthem Coffee in downtown Puyallup.
I Love Tacos has served Los Angeles-inspired street tacos from a truck at 56th and McKinley in Tacoma since 2022. This spring, the family added a second truck, parked across from Anthem Coffee in downtown Puyallup.

THAI’M TO ROLL

▪ Main Street and Valley Avenue (across from Fred Meyer), Sumner, facebook.com/thaimtoroll

▪ Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (hours may vary)

Thai’m to Roll has often been stationed at events around East Pierce County, but this spring they are experimenting with the corner of Main and Valley. Run by a husband and wife, her mother operates Sumalee’s Thai Cuisine on state Route 410 in Bonney Lake. Start with pot stickers, spring rolls with prawns or fried tofu ($6-$8), and then get into a peanut-covered pad Thai or their spin on larb na (ground chicken with basil and a fried egg). The crispy chicken — doused in garlic sauce or a spicy sriracha — is a truck favorite ($15), along with house mango and strawberry, or strawberry mango, smoothies.

Port of Tacoma’s big spring shipment: local food trucks for lunch

CRAZY TACOS

▪ 18321 state Route 410, Bonney Lake, crazytacotruck.com

▪ 28120 state Route 410, Buckley

▪ Daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

This woman-owned truck in Bonney Lake recently added a second truck in Buckley — note the different addresses, but both on state Route 410. Tacos are obviously an easy choice here, whether asada, adobada, chorizo or carnitas, but the regulars love lengua (+$1). Load up with the fajita burrito or skip the meat with veggie or bean and cheese. Sopes, mulitas and tamales are also on the menu. Bonus: breakfast burritos available all day!

LUMPIA LOVE

▪ Multiple locations, Tacoma and Puyallup, lumpialovestore.com

Lynette Boado has been a fixture of Pierce County’s food scene since Lumpia Love’s 2013 debut, first as a farmers market vendor. About five years ago, she dove into the business full-time, serving at various events and from her commercial kitchen space in Federal Way. Earlier this year, Lumpia Love hit the road in a new food truck. Get your hands on homemade lumpia (three for $6) pancit, fresh musubi and sio pao (steamed BBQ pork buns, $3.50) and chicken adobo ($11). Head to the Puyallup Farmers Market most Saturdays and Port of Tacoma on Wednesdays, and look for other locations on StreetFoodFinder including Tacoma Community College and Off Camber Brewing.

This new food truck started with a love story and a cross-country pizza honeymoon

HOBO’S BBQ

▪ Multiple locations, Tacoma and Puyallup, facebook.com/hobosbbqfoodtruck

Named after owner Marci Von Appen’s rescue dog, Hobo’s BBQ kicks off its first summer season at Top Down Brewing Co. on June 1, but check Facebook for updates. That Friday, the truck will park at Puyallup’s Food Truck Friday event near Pioneer Pavilion. Nosh on 16-hour applewood-smoked brisket, tri-tip steak cooked medium rare, smoked chicken thighs, spare ribs and pulled pork, paired with three-cheese mac, barbecue baked beans and crunchy cabbage and carrot slaw. Von Appen quit the desk life to build her food truck after being diagnosed with cancer in 2020 — a portion of proceeds supports the American Cancer Society and, in honor of her bond with Hobo, Tall Tails Dog Rescue. Look for more locations on social media.

Italy Paola Pizza Napoletana opened in early 2023 across from Cooks Tavern in Tacoma’s North End.
Italy Paola Pizza Napoletana opened in early 2023 across from Cooks Tavern in Tacoma’s North End.

ITALY PAOLA PIZZA NAPOLETANA

▪ 3124 N. 26th Street (in 76 gas station parking lot), Tacoma, facebook.com/italypaolapizza

▪ Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Find this van, equipped with a wood-fired oven, parked outside the 76 gas station on the corner of Alder and 26th streets in Tacoma’s North End. A short list of classic Neapolitan-style pies includes a simple margherita with fresh mozz, the loaded capricciosa with mushrooms, artichokes, sardines and olives, and a white pie with red peppers and sausage. Order with owner Cristian Conversano at the window, wait by your car and pay when your order is ready. Try the three-cheese calzone and finish it off with homemade cannoli or tiramisu (limited availability).