For University of Chicago students, that familiar midday hunger pang striking after a long lecture is a common experience. Lunchtime arrives, and the quest for the perfect meal begins. While dining halls and the Hutch are convenient options, the vibrant food truck scene on campus offers a diverse and exciting alternative, especially if you’re craving something beyond the usual. Among the myriad of choices, Taco Food Trucks stand out as a popular and satisfying option.
Parked strategically along Ellis Avenue, a variety of food trucks beckon, each promising a unique culinary adventure. However, navigating this delicious landscape to find the best taco food trucks can be daunting. That’s where this guide comes in! We’ve done the delicious research for you, sampling the offerings to bring you a definitive ranking of the best food trucks on Ellis Avenue, with a special focus on those serving up mouthwatering tacos.
Our ranking system focuses on what truly matters in a mobile culinary experience: taste, freshness, and value. Each truck is scored on a scale of 1 to 10 across these attributes. Taste encompasses the overall flavor profile and texture of the food. Freshness reflects the quality of ingredients and the care in preparation. Value considers the portion size relative to the price, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck.
Keep in mind that the food truck lineup on campus can vary daily, and some infrequent visitors might not be included in this ranking. However, this guide will give you a solid starting point for exploring the top contenders, especially when your taco cravings kick in.
9) El Buen Taco #3
Taste: 3
Freshness: 4
Value: 6
Overall: 13/30
El Buen Taco #3 is one of the several taco food trucks on campus offering Mexican-style dishes. Seeking a hearty lunch, I opted for the steak torta with rice and beans alongside a chicken quesadilla, totaling $26.93. Portion sizes are undeniably generous here. The torta was impressively large, brimming with steak and vegetables, and the chicken quesadilla was packed with an almost excessive amount of chicken.
Unfortunately, the flavor didn’t live up to the quantity compared to other taco food trucks. Both the chicken and steak were noticeably dry, tasting as if they had been cooked in advance and merely reheated. The torta suffered from sogginess and structural instability, making it a challenge to eat. The quesadilla was disappointingly sparse on cheese and, frankly, quite unappetizing. Considering the premium price, El Buen Taco #3 doesn’t deliver on value or flavor. For authentic and satisfying tacos, I’d recommend exploring other taco food truck options.
8) El Buen Taco #2
Taste: 4
Freshness: 4
Value: 7
Overall: 15/30
El Buen Taco #2, another Mexican taco food truck, is a daily fixture on campus, strangely located directly across from its sibling, El Buen Taco #3. Intrigued to see if there was a quality difference between these two taco food trucks, I decided to sample their offerings. I ordered a steak taco, a chicken taco, and a steak quesadilla, which came to $13.43.
Similar to #3, the tacos were disappointingly dry, and the steak had an acrid, charred taste. Despite requesting onions, the tacos were only topped with cilantro, resulting in an unbalanced flavor. The quesadilla boasted a plentiful portion of steak but again, lacked sufficient cheese. Both El Buen Taco taco food trucks seem to share a common issue: dry, charred meat that overwhelms the other ingredients. However, El Buen Taco #2 is slightly more affordable than #3, resulting in a marginally better value score, but still not a top choice for taco enthusiasts.
El Buen Taco food truck
7) Reggie’s on Wheels
Taste: 8
Freshness: 7
Value: 4
Overall: 19/30
Reggie’s on Wheels, specializing in Southern-style BBQ, is a relative newcomer to the UChicago food truck scene. I indulged in the pulled pork sandwich with fried onions and a side of small mac and cheese for $23.47. The pulled pork sandwich was flavorful, boasting a pleasant sweet and smoky taste, and generously coated in barbecue sauce. The mac and cheese was baked, featuring a delightful cheesy crust and a subtle peppery note. As a Texan native, this truck evoked a sense of home!
The main drawback of Reggie’s on Wheels is the price point. While portion sizes are respectable, the prices are relatively high. If you’re longing for authentic Southern BBQ and are prepared to splurge for lunch, this truck is a worthwhile treat. While not a taco food truck, it offers a satisfying and flavorful detour from the Mexican options.
6) The Fat Shallot
Taste: 6
Freshness: 9
Value: 6
Overall: 21/30
The Fat Shallot, a red truck serving classic American sandwiches, has been a campus staple for several years. On my recent visit, I ordered their grilled cheese and house fries for $14.22. The grilled cheese was significantly elevated by the addition of caramelized onions and spinach. The sandwich arrived piping hot, delivering a satisfying cheese pull. However, the bread was somewhat tough to bite through, being slightly overcooked and bordering on burnt.
The fries, unfortunately, were a bit too greasy to complement the sandwich for lunch. The pricing felt a little expensive for a simple grilled cheese, though the quality of ingredients was evident. While not a taco food truck, The Fat Shallot is a reliable option for classic American comfort food.
5) Chicago Lunchbox
Taste: 7
Freshness: 9
Value: 7
Overall: 23/30
Chicago Lunchbox brings some of the best Vietnamese fusion cuisine to the streets of Chicago. Their menu features bánh mi sandwiches, rice boxes, and even a creative take on tacos. I opted for the beefy Korean bánh mi, a delicious bulgogi-style beef sandwich loaded with fresh vegetables, priced at $13.95. The sandwich offered a delightful sweet flavor profile with savory undertones of garlic and ginger.
Chicago Lunchbox earned the distinction of being the least greasy truck on this list. Portions are quite generous, and I even had leftovers. Crucially, I felt energized and satisfied after eating at Chicago Lunchbox. While not strictly a taco food truck, their fusion approach offers a unique and flavorful alternative, and their “tacos” might be worth exploring for adventurous eaters. Highly recommended if you need a boost for a busy day.
4) Cheesie’s
Taste: 8
Freshness: 9
Value: 7
Overall: 24/30
Cheesie’s isn’t a daily presence on campus, but when it arrives, it generates considerable excitement. This truck specializes in a variety of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. My personal favorite is The Frenchie—a decadent grilled cheese creation topped with American and mozzarella cheese, French fries, bacon, sour cream, and chives, priced at $15.50.
Despite the seemingly unconventional combination, the melted cheese, salty potatoes, and savory bacon create a fantastic flavor profile that is sure to satisfy any cheese craving! The star of the sandwich is the buttery sourdough bread, providing the perfect foundation for this indulgent, cheesy masterpiece. While not a taco food truck, Cheesie’s is a must-try when it’s on campus for a truly comforting and delicious experience.
3) Flash Hernandez Tacos
Taste: 8
Freshness: 7
Value: 10
Overall: 25/30
Flash Hernandez Tacos is another popular Mexican taco food truck that UChicago students consider a go-to. Every weekday at 12:30 p.m., a long line of students and staff forms outside this truck, and for good reason! Flash Hernandez Tacos is renowned for its fast service and consistently delicious food, especially its tacos. I ordered three steak tacos with cheese, and the total came to an incredibly low $7.23.
Each taco featured two warm corn tortillas generously filled with chopped steak, cilantro, onions, and flavorful Chihuahua cheese. The tacos were wonderfully moist, with a substantial amount of steak perfectly complemented by the toppings. All ingredients tasted fresh, making this taco food truck an exceptional value for money. You truly can’t go wrong with Flash Hernandez Tacos for a quick, affordable, and tasty taco fix. If you’re specifically searching for taco food trucks, this should be high on your list.
2) Da Pizza Dude
Taste: 7
Freshness: 10
Value: 9
Overall: 26/30
Da Pizza Dude serves up delicious Italian-style personal pizzas. Using fresh ingredients and a specialized in-truck pizza oven, Da Pizza Dude delivers some of the best pizza you can find near UChicago. I ordered the classic margarita pizza for $12.13, which I found to be a very reasonable price for four medium slices. The mozzarella cheese was incredibly fresh and melted perfectly, and the sauce was balanced with sweetness and tartness.
I also highly recommend their specialty pizza, “The Pros,” topped with arugula, parmesan, and imported Italian prosciutto. If you’re in the mood for authentic Italian-style pizza, Da Pizza Dude is the real deal! While not a taco food truck, it’s a fantastic option for a satisfying and high-quality lunch.
1) Tacos Cincuenta Arrobas
Taste: 9
Freshness: 10
Value: 8
Overall: 27/30
Tacos Cincuenta Arrobas is arguably the most underrated taco food truck gem on the UChicago campus. The owner is exceptionally friendly and genuinely cares about customer satisfaction, enhancing the overall experience. I ordered a chicken taco and two steak tacos for just $10.20, and my food was ready almost instantly, even before I finished paying.
The chicken was flavorful, with a delightful balance of sweetness and a hint of spice, and the steak was incredibly tender. Most importantly, the food was served hot and tasted incredibly fresh. At approximately three dollars per taco, Tacos Cincuenta Arrobas offers one of the best food deals on campus, especially for taco food trucks. This is my top pick among all the food trucks at UChicago, and I wholeheartedly recommend checking out Tacos Cincuenta Arrobas for the best tacos on Ellis Avenue.
For UChicago students seeking a quick, affordable, and delicious lunch, the food trucks on Ellis Avenue offer a fantastic range of options. While there’s variety to explore, if you’re specifically in search of the best taco food trucks, Flash Hernandez Tacos and Tacos Cincuenta Arrobas are your top contenders, offering both incredible flavor and outstanding value. Don’t miss out on these taco truck treasures during your next lunchtime break!
