Downtown Toledo is sorely missing the weekly Thursday food truck gatherings this summer, as the Lunch at Levis program has sadly been postponed until at least the fall. In the meantime, those looking for some delicious cuisine on wheels have other regular options.
Dining options have expanded a bit more in recent weeks as sit-down restaurants have slowly begun to reopen. But for those who knew where to look, great food could be found all over the Glass City even at the height of shutdown, in the form of the dozens of food trucks still open and serving Toledo customers.
Whether they are a regular staple at a specific location or always finding a new place to be, on a fixed or constantly changing schedule, these freestanding kitchens offer a bite of comfort during the chaos.
(** – All trucks currently operating. For schedules, visit the linked webpages.)
2nd Chance Food Truck
419-349-5896. facebook.com/2ndChanceFoodTruck
At 2nd Chance Food Truck, diners will find delicious sandwiches and tots served with a side of hope. Owner JD Rule founded the truck with the goal of giving recovering addicts a place to train and gain work experience, literally giving every one of his employees a second chance at getting their lives back on track.
**Antojitos Laredo Tacos
419-779-3881. facebook.com/antojitoslaredotacos
Looking for some delicious tacos, quesadillas, nachos, tamales and more? Antojitos is usually parked on Lewis Ave. and has a reasonably priced selection of Mexican favorites.
**Beastro Burger Truck
419-204-3782. facebook.com/BeastroBurgerTruck
“Our Specialty Is Burgers!” Beastro proudly exclaims at the top of its menu and, my goodness, they deliver. Everything from the simple “Plain Jane” burger to “The Beast” — a mouth-watering monster with two patties, two types of cheese, bacon, mushrooms, sautéed onions and more — has given area hamburger aficionados a taste of heaven for two years now.
**Beirut Street Kitchen
419-473-0885. facebook.com/beirutstreetkitchen/
Some of the best Lebanese cuisine in Toledo can be found at Beirut, and now Beirut can be found at Joseph’s Plaza on Talmadge Rd. All the meat and chicken are grilled to order!
**Big C’s Smoked Barbeque
419-385-5950. facebook.com/big-cs-barbeque-191659124203442
From backyard bashes, to fundraisers and even occupational outings, this BBQ paradise has been in the 419’s food game since 2003, serving up classics like pulled pork, chicken and brisket, paired with classics such as mashed potatoes, baked beans and coleslaw.
**Brickyard Sloppy Joe
419-509-6429. traditionssauces.com
Since 2012, Donald Hill and his family have created sweet and tangy sloppy joe sauces that can be found in local grocery stores. They’ve now entered the food truck business to offer sloppy joe sandwiches with your choice of Original or Sweet Heat sauce, served with chips and a pickle.
Country Lane BBQ
419-290-6991. facebook.com/CountryLaneBBQ
Craving some messy classics like pulled pork, cheesy potatoes, or a rack of ribs? Take a stroll down Country Lane’s menu and see for yourself the people-pleasing guilty pleasures. Found at the Bowling Green Farmers’ Market, Rossford’s Stroll-the-Street Market and more locations around the area, step right up and discover what a “Brisket Bomb” is.
**Deet’s BBQ
419-893-2293. facebook.com/deetsbbq
Mouth-watering local smoky goodness is provided by Maumee’s own Deet’s BBQ. Offering chicken, beef, pork and St. Louis-style ribs that all but fall off the bone, everything is slow-cooked in-house. Deet’s truck can be regularly found in Maumee, Perrysburg and Toledo, as well as a recent added stop in Oregon.
**Duce’s Dawgs
419-266-2161. ducesdawgs.com
With a made-from-scratch chili recipe stemming from the 50’s, this truck dedicates its service to the chili dog and chili mac. Order plates best paired with chili like fries, nachos and a bag taco, along from the famous mac and dawgs. Duce’s Dawgs also offers catering for all your party and celebration needs.
**Grumpy’s On The Go
419-241-6728. facebook.com/grumpysonthego
For anyone who has ever yearned for one of Grumpy’s famous Garbage Salads for lunch, but couldn’t make it downtown, don’t worry! With regular stops in Toledo, Perrysburg and at Westgate, the truck offers a scaled-down menu of sandwiches, pies and salad most days from 11-1 or “until we run out.”
**Holey Toledough
419-810-7880. facebook.com/HoleyToledough
The double-pun of the shop’s title accentuates what are some of the tastiest homemade donuts in town. Buy some of the holey goodness at area Mac’s and Melts or visit the Toledough food truck throughout the Toledo area to satisfy your need for fried sweet dough and a cup of joe.
Infinite Zen Coffee and Noshery
419-819-2345. facebook.com/pg/8zencoffee
Coffee shops are certainly having a moment in Toledo, so it was only a matter of time before a coffee truck started serving up piping hot cups o’ joe. Infinite Zen offers all your favorite coffee classics like espresso drinks, lattes, and smoothies.
**Iron Bean Coffee Co.
518-641-9917. facebook.com/theironbean
Divergent from the typical coffeehouse setting, Fred and Chanelle Dedrick’s Iron Bean coffee truck is a product of a dream becoming reality. This ever-expanding, USMC Veteran-owned brewery interlocks strength with your cup of joe, serving up hot and iced coffees, lattes, an espresso shot, and a nitro brew from the keg, all from a fittingly-robust military truck.
**Island Noodles
Islandnoodles.com
These amazing vendors fry up soba noodles with a variety of veggies and a “proprietary island-style sauce” for a cup of flavor that is out of this world. You can add some delicious teriyaki chicken, or just leave it out if you’re looking for a vegan option. If you’re feeling brave, toss on some spicy Sriracha sauce. We dare you.
**Jeanie’s Comfort Cuisine
419-376-4927. facebook.com/jeaniesweenie
Two words: Jeanie’s Weenies. The truck’s full name is “Jeanies Comfort Cuisine to the Rescue,” which it certainly will be for anyone who needs some down-home diner food on the go. Since 2012 this staple of Toledo and Maumee roadways has offered classic American food (hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, etc.) that is sure to satisfy while not busting your wallet.
**Jimmy G’s Pit-Smoked BBQ
567-201-2920. facebook.com/JimmyGsBBQ
Some of the most mouth-watering altruism ever is served up by Jimmy G’s BBQ out of Fremont. After years of providing delicious pulled pork and brisket for area fundraisers, Jimmy G’s opened a brick-and-mortar location in Fremont, while still maintaining its road eats for lucky diners in Toledo, Maumee and Perrysburg.
**Koral Hamburg Food Truck
419-704-1030. koralhamburg.com
Many expressed their sadness when Koral Hamburg closed their diner doors on February 28, 2015. But with this came a new reinvention of the restaurant a couple years later— a food truck that travels all around Toledo and surrounding areas, as well as offers catering for special events.
**Lake Erie BBQ
567-868-9289. facebook.com/lakeeriebbq
This Northwood staple carries a classic lineup of backyard BBQ favorites across the 419 and beyond. Stack your plate with smoked baby back ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, wings, chicken chunks, or a fresh serving of lakeside perch!
**The Leaf And Seed
419-265-3163. facebook.com/pg/theleafandseed
The vegan community in Toledo is thriving and The Leaf and Seed’s success last season is proof of that. An all-vegan truck offering daily specials ranging from loaded nachos, crunchwrap supreme, and sweet potato/black bean tacos. Who knew comfort food could also be healthy? Find the truck in Maumee, Perrysburg, Sylvania, and Toledo.
**The Loaded Chicken
419-509-4936. theloadedchicken.com
The Loaded Chicken’s ads proclaim “We’re clucking good!” One bite and you’ll know why. All the truck’s offerings are never frozen, white meat delicacies that will soothe the taste buds of even the most discerning chicken connoisseur. Try the Mac N’ Cheese Bowl and be prepared to be wowed.
**Lyle’s Crepes
419-450-5910. facebook.com/lylescrepe
Lyle’s Crepes is a food truck offering the delicious combo of sweet and savory. The wedge-shaped crepe, dusted in powdered sugar, is served in an aesthetically-pleasing manner for your eyes and mouth to water. Menu choices like “Chocolate Orange,” “Strawberry Nutella,” and a “Lasagna Crepe” will leave you wanting more.
**Manny’s Munchies
419-266-4787. facebook.com/mannysmunchies1
The name speaks for itself. Their signature dish; the pretzel calzone will melt in your mouth when your tastebuds crave the munchies. Their most popular dish is the Chicken Bacon Ranch calzone. Based in Bowling Green, Manny’s has plenty of stops in Toledo and Toledo area festivals.
Pepperoni Tony’s
419-307-2839. facebook.com/pepperonitonys
The operators of Toledo’s first mobile wood-fired pizza establishment offer a delectable selection of gourmet pizzas. Tony’s also offers catering for weddings, for those looking to surprise guests with a somewhat unconventional (but utterly delightful) food option.
Red Eye Pie
419-654-3036. facebook.com/redeyepie
As the 3rd place People’s Choice winner at Pizzapalooza 2019, stacked against 10 of the 419’s most renowned sliceshops, it’s clear that Red Eye doesn’t mess around. This roadrun pizzeria features classic pepperoni and cheese pies, as well as the fan-favorite “BBQ Chicken Mango Pizza,” a sure romp for your tastebuds.
**Rosie’s Rolling Chef
419-866-5007. facebook.com/RosiesRollingChefs
Rosie’s Italian Grille has been satisfying Toledo diners for decades with its amazing authentic cuisine, and the Rolling Chef continues that tradition for diners on the go, offering delicious specialties like Lobster Mac & Cheese and Lasagna in downtown Toledo every weekday, as well as for catering and special events.
**Rusty’s Road Trip
419-699-1307. rustysroadtrip.com
Oh, sure, you can have one of the other wonderful dishes — bacon mac and cheese, tomato soup, crab rolls — but if you’re eating at Rusty’s, go for the Lake Erie Perch Basket. Area yellow perch, beer battered and deep fried, served with a side of French fries and homemade tartar sauce — if your mouth isn’t watering, you have no idea what you’re missing.
**The Saucy Slamwich
thesaucyslamwich.com
There are sandwiches, and there are Slamwiches. Once you take a bite of one of The Saucy Slamwich’s creations, you’ll know the difference. The Toledo Cuban and the Glass City Cheesesteak are favorites, but for our money nothing is quite as decadent as the Garlic Grilled Cheese. Don’t forget to add pot roast.
**Smashdawgz
419-280-4670. facebook.com/smashdawgz/
Junkyard Curly Fries, the Smashdawgz Sandwich, Hawaiian Hot Dogs…come on. It’s a classic food truck. With classic service. We received a raving email from a very happy mouth: “Not only is their food good, but they are pleasant! Plus, I witnessed a woman who presented herself and said, “I have no money, but I am really hungry”. They gave her a big hot dog with all the fixings. This alone will bring me back.” Keep it food truck classy, Toledo.
Walle Rocket’s Grille
419-475-1975. facebook.com/wallerocketssportsbar
Walle Rocket’s food truck is a mobile foodie’s haven, featuring a menu stuffed with tacos, burritos, quesadillas, as well as chicken wings, ribs, fries, mac and cheese, and more! The truck’s often right in front of the bar, so get a round of drinks inside! Check on Facebook for the truck’s appearances and it’s selections for the day.
For more information on area food trucks and events, visit: toledofoodtrucks.com.
Know of a food truck that we missed? Let us know in the comments or email [email protected].
