The streets of downtown Traverse City are thick with the smell of food, savory and unencumbered by restaurant walls. Since Traverse City first allowed food trucks to operate on city property three years ago, an exciting number of trucks has sprouted across the area, leaving the streets bright with people and incredible food finds. The Little Fleet is in its third year of business, with eight trucks now operating at its Front Street location. Things are just beginning to pick up at The Lot on 8th Street, where six of its planned eight vendors are already open for their first season of business.

We’ve rounded up information on each mobile eatery in Traverse City so you’ll know just what to expect when food from a stationary building simply won’t do. This list will serve as your guide from one awesome Traverse City food truck to the next.


The Little Fleet

448 E Front St., Traverse City, MI, 49686


Anchor Station

Anchor Station sports a collection of foods you won’t find on too many restaurant menus. This truck offers “dirty fries” and “Anchor Dogs,” as well as falafel and pulled pork nachos, all made with quality ingredients.

Big Dipper & Nitrology Treats

Big Dipper has partnered with Nitrology to bring you this incredibly unique little truck, specializing in fully-customizable, made-to-order ice cream. Customers can select size, flavor, and Big Dipper mix-ins, then watch as their ice cream is flash-frozen before them with a ladle full of liquid nitrogen.

Daily Blends

Daily Blends is a vegetarian, gluten-free truck that utilizes the freshest local ingredients as often as possible. This food truck works to provide simple, healthy, and refreshing choices like rice bowls and smoothies.

Happy’s Tacos

This truck crafts its dishes by means of local and natural ingredients whenever possible, and by finding the best alternatives when it’s not. Happy’s Tacos provides delicious and creative tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.

Pigs Eatin’ Ribs

“Northern Michigan’s only rolling smokehouse,” Pigs Eatin’ Ribs is a truck complete with a built-in smoker, so you’ll always get the hottest, freshest BBQ possible. With a pulled pork sandwich, rib platter, or shredded chicken quesadilla, you’ll fill up happily here on Northern Michigan BBQ.

Pleasanton Pizza

Offspring of Pleasanton Bakery, this truck is sure to satisfy every lover of pizza, through either traditional offerings of pepperoni pizza, or through a selection of less-conventional concoctions such as pesto pizza.

Roaming Harvest

Roaming Harvest prides itself in using only ingredients raised, grown, and made by local and sustainable businesses and farmers. This truck’s menu is driven by what’s in season, but always offers choices such as pork, whitefish, and beef tacos.

White on Rice

White on Rice offers traditional and specialty sushi, ramen, and tempura. This food truck has the best of Asian cuisine for a great carry-out or dine-in experience.


The Lot

444 E 8th StreetTraverse City, MI, 49686


Betty’s Hot Dish

Betty’s Hot Dish specializes in delicious homemade soups. Recipes range from traditional home-style soups to original recipes. There are different specialty soups just about every day.

Cordwood BBQ

Cordwood BBQ takes pride in cooking their meats using wood from Northern Michigan forests. Delectable barbecue dishes—beef brisket, pulled pork, sausage—come with fresh sides, including black beans and beets. All ingredients are sourced from local Michigan farms.

La Tropicana Fruit Cup

La Tropicana Fruit Cup offers healthy chilled refreshments with their menu of tropical fruit cups and fresh water drinks.

Norma’s Tamales

Norma’s Tamales offers fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine. Tamales, tacos, and tortillas—it’s all here.

Uptown Dogs

Uptown Dogs is a classic city hot dog stand. Local ingredients and farm-style condiments ensure a unique taste you won’t get anywhere else.

Wingz & Thingz

Wingz & Thingz is a popular food truck in the area and a frequent caterer for big concerts. It’s not hard to see why—the selection of wings stretches through the roof. Other “thingz” on the menu include sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and fries.


More Northern Michigan Food

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Photo(s) by Kelly Hofman