11 Food Truck Popular Items You Can't Miss

8. Fried Chicken, Sandwiches, and Nashville Hot

Fried chicken is a universal comfort that translates well to trucks because it travels well and is immediately satisfying. Trucks often brine their birds and use a seasoned batter for maximum crispness, then serve them as sandwiches, tenders, or plates with sides. Nashville hot chicken—coated in a cayenne-based oil—is a spicy option many trucks feature, paired with pickles and white bread to temper the heat. Other variations include buttermilk-brined pieces, Korean-style fried chicken with sticky gochujang glaze, and chicken-and-waffle mashups at some festival favorites. When ordering, consider heat tolerance and texture preference. If you want crunch, ask if the sandwich is double-fried or butter-brushed. For sharing, pick a combo plate with slaw and pickles; these sides balance oiliness and add brightness. Fried chicken trucks often do simple things very well—if the batter is crisp and the inside juicy, it’s worth the wait. Vegetarian diners can sometimes find crispy tofu or cauliflower versions that replicate the texture and spice.