In between the soccer games, dance classes and work schedules, my family and I love to head out and find fun ways to experience Dallas. We’ll head for the Arts District, go to Klyde Warren Park or Main Street Park. We’ve been the the Trinity Audubon Center, we’re members of the Dallas Arboretum. We love to sail on Lake Ray Hubbard and we’ve visited museums, enjoyed local cultural festivals like Festival of the Americas and the Greek Food Festival of Dallas (This was a favorite and you’ll see why next!). There are so many things on our Dallas Bucket List!
We also jump at any chance to to eat out, because we love food. We fit in nicely around these North Texas parts because Dallas people love to eat. And there are seriously amazing restaurants out there and we haven’t been to nearly enough. And even though I recently shared 5 Kid-Friendly Spots to drink Craft Beer in Dallas, we all know it’s hard to take kids to a restaurant. The waiting, the sitting, the food-throwing.
So that’s why we love food trucks. We get amazing, restaurant quality food in a third of the time, no antsy kids suffering from a major dose of Hangry-itis. If you get lucky and find several trucks in one spot, there’s a ton of variety and you won’t hear one complaint, because, could it be? Everyone found something they liked?
Food trucks can be a fun and quick way for families to grab a bite when out and about in Dallas metroplex. From Tutta’s Food Truck (the pizza sauce rocks!) to Eat Jo Dawgs, Easy Sliders and the massive ice cream sandwiches from Coolhaus—there are yummy bites for every eater. Here are kid-friendly places to find Food Trucks in Dallas.
Permanent Truck Locations – Where you’ll always be able to find a meal on wheels.
Klyde Warren Park
Probably one of the most well-known spots in Dallas to grab a bite from a set of wheels, and the most kid-friendly. Trucks line up at 11:00am daily, and the selection rotates but you’ll find Dallas faves like Nammi, Coolhaus and Ruthie’s on the regular. Find a table, spread out a blanket on the lawn or head for the shady grove of birch trees in the kids play area.
Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Dallas, Tx 75201
Online: klydewarrenpark.org/thingstodo/foodtrucks
Photo: Gabby Cullen
The Truck Yard
Yes, it’s on yet another “kid-friendly places to eat in Dallas” list but how could I resist? There are the standards for kids like Tutta’s and Eat Joe Dawgs and brand-new favorite Australian Meat Pie Co, so grab a chair or snag a slab o’ pine and get to eatin’. The laid-back atmosphere and lively decor make this hot spot fun for everyone.
The Truck Yard
5624 Sears Street
Dallas, Tx, 75206
Online: texastruckyard.com
Dallas Art District Food Court
Hidden away between Booker T. and the Winspear in Sammons Park at AT&T Performing Arts Center, this food court rotates between ten trucks, Monday – Friday, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Kids will enjoy the beautiful tranquility of the Reflection pool.
Sammons Park
2403 Flora Street
Dallas, Tx 75021
Online: thedallasartsdistrict.org/visit/foodtrucks
Fare in the Square
The trucks show up year-round on Wednesday and Friday at one of downtown Dallas’s oldest parks from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. There’s usually musical entertainment, too.
Thanksgiving Square
1627 Pacific Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201
Online: facebook.com/fareinthesquare
Photo: Fare in the Square via Facebook
Seasonal Spots – Places to find food trucks this summer and fall.
Reunion Lawn Party
One of the coolest new events this summer in downtown Dallas, the Reunion Lawn Party is the last Saturday of every month May – September, from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Grab the tots and go! The lawn party will have tons of activities for the entire family, including lawn games like frisbee, bocce ball, bubbles, hula hoops. Rent a picnic blanket and choose from truck offerings including yummy treats from The Bomb Fried Pies, Parrot Ice and Easy Slider. Local musician round out what should be a stellar kid-friendly summer food truck event.
Reunion Lawn
626 Sports Street
Dallas, Tx 75207
Online: reunionlawnparty.com
Photo: Gabby Cullen
Food Truck Fridays at River Legacy Park
Even though this event only runs through the end of June, it’s list worthy. From 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm join other Arlington residents for a dinner on the green. The Arlington Public Library will have their MiniLINK bus on-site, feel free to browse the selection, hang out in the bean bag chairs provided, and let the kids pick out their next new favorite bedtime story.
River Legacy Park
701 NW Green Oaks Boulevard
Arlington, TX 76006
Online: arlington-tx/gov/news/food-truck-fridays
Tasty Tuesdays at Sprouts Farmers Market
Head for Sprouts Market the first Tuesday of the month during spring and summer months for a food truck crush style event. Look for delicious trucks like OinkNMoo, Cup Cakin Machine and Simply Dosa from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Sprouts Market
11722 Marsh lane
Dallas, Tx, 75229
Photo: Gabby Cullen
Safari Nights at the Dallas Zoo
Every Saturday from May 30 to August 1 head to Big Cat Green at the Dallas Zoo for live music, late night animal events and tasty food trucks like Mr. Snowie and VIPizza. Bring your own blankets, chairs and get ready to have a blast! Event runs 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm and is free with the cost of admission.
Dallas Zoo
650 R.L Thornton Freeway
Dallas, Tx 75203
Online: dallaszoo.com/safarinights
Photo: Cathy Burkey via Dallas Zoo
Food Truckapalooza
This fourth annual event on September 20th from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm is a fundraiser held at Temple Shalom in Dallas. Not only will the best-of-the-best in Dallas Food Trucks be on hand but there will be a ton of fun for families including bounce houses, face painting, photo truck, game truck and more. There’s even a special stroller entrance and goodie bags for the first attending families. Admission is $5, kids 3 and under are free.
Temple Shalom
6930 Alpha Rd. Dallas
Tx, 75240
Online: dallasfoodtruckpalooza.com
Photo: Temple Shalom via Facebook
New Food Truck Parks Opening Soon
Several suburbs are hopping on the bandwagon and two new permanent food truck parks are in the works. Both hope to be open by late summer of this year.
Richardson Food Truck Park
Haven’t heard about the truck park in Richardson, yet? Here’s the scoop. According to owner Michelle Chesney, there will be a play area for kids to play (complete with a mini pretend food truck), where parents can watch while enjoying a beverage and nosh. Five trucks will rotate daily for lunch and dinner and there will be a full bar designed a la cool-trucker-style from a shipping container. Richardson Food Truck Park is bike friendly, kid friendly and dog friendly. I know I’m looking forward to opening day in August!
Online: www.facebook.com/richardsonfoodtruckpark
Hub Streat Food Port
When it opens, folks will be able to find Plano’s latest foodie addition at the corner of 14th Street and M Avenue. It’ll include a bricks-and-mortar restaurant, three spaces for a rotating variety of food trucks, a stage for live music, an open-air patio and catering services. Little ones and furry friends are welcome.
Where’s your favorite kid-friendly place to find food trucks in Dallas? Share with us in a comment!
—Gabby Cullen
