Boston's Food Truck Program Still on A Roll

More trucks in more places. That's the takeaway from the upcoming spring 2013 food truck season in Boston, when hungry Bostonians will welcome 56 food trucks to the city's streets to serve up everything from short-rib infused grilled cheese to tempeh tacos. 

In just a year and a half, Boston's Mobile Food Truck program has gone from a pilot of 15 vendors to a full-fledged industry, with more than 50 vendors occupying 18 public sites and hosting events such as a Boston vs. New York Food Truck Throwdown.

In just the last year, 16 new trucks have launched, according to the city, including: Benny's Crepe Café Boston's Baddest Burgers, Boston Super Dogs, Captain Marden's Cod Squad, Chicken & Rice Guys, Chubby Chickpea, Cookie Monstah, Frozen Hoagies, Gourmet to Go, Green Bean Mobile Café, Lefty's Silver Cart, Lobsta Love, M&M Ribs, Mei Mei's Street Kitchen, Paris Creperie and The Taco Truck.

“I’m thrilled that Boston's food truck program has grown so quickly and has expanded to such a diverse selection of vendors,” Mayor Menino said in a statement. “My administration has worked vigorously to allow these local businesses to grow while providing the public with delicious, healthy and accessible food.”

Even in January, you can still find a variety of types of food in some neighborhoods—such as Fenway, where diners can enjoy Bon Me's rice and noodle bowls or Mei Mei Street Kitchen's Asian cuisine on Commonwealth Avenue at BU, or the Chicken and Rice Guys at Hemenway and Forsyth streets.

"I'm in love with the Roxy's Grilled Cheese truck," said Dorchester resident Kirsten Noodle via Twitter. "The Green Muenster sandwich, hand cut fries & rockstar attitude are the stuff of dreams."

The 2013 season

Prepare to see a further expansion of the program in 2013, with more trucks, more places and some brick-and-mortar restaurants born out of the success of the trucks, and the reverse trend: Some restaurants launching food trucks.

Bon Me, Momogoose, Mei Mei Street Kitchen, the Taco Truck and Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese are a few of the the trucks expanding into at least one quick-service restaurant. Clover Food Lab already has two restaurants and seven trucks. 

In addition to last year's public sites, food trucks in 2013 will also gain access to the Charlestown Navy Yard at Baxter Road, the Charlestown Freedom Trail at Adams Street and parts of East Boston and Roxbury. Fenway's Forsyth and Hemenway Street will relocate to Northeastern University at Opera Place and Huntington Avenue. 

To kick off the new year, food truck business owners met up last week to choose their spots and slots for the upcoming spring season.

The 2013 schedule shows the following trucks coming to Charlestown beginning in April:

Charlestown Navy Yard (at Baxter Road)

• Biryani Park—Mondays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Savory Food Truck—Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Jerusalem Falafel—Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sweet Tomatoes Pizza—Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Red Bones BBQ—Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Charlestown Freedom Trail (at the Training Field on Adams Street)

• Savory Food Truck—Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Jerusalem Falafel—Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Jimmy’s Ice Cream—Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 3-9 p.m.
• Taco Party —Mondays, 3-9 p.m.
• Roxy’s Grilled Cheese—Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 3-9 p.m.

See the attached .pdf for the schedule of the most popular sites, and click here for the full list of trucks and sites. 

Which truck is your favorite, and why? Are you excited for the April 2013 season? Tell us in the comments.