Food Trucks In Austin: What The Data Says

Food trucks in and around Austin, Texas offer a wide variety of delectable dishes. Whether you’re in the mood for gravy-smothered French fries, a savory trio of carnitas, or a well-crafted sandwich, there are tons of trucks ready to serve you something special. In fact, the city of Austin has such a diverse range of food trucks, that there’s trackable data on the most popular items and average costs.

Below, we’ll briefly review what the data says. That way, the next time you need some creative catering or even just a quick lunch option, you know where to go:

To start, according to an Austin food truck guide, Austin locals definitely prefer savory cuisines over sweet. The data shows that 54.2% of the time, people in this part of Texas select savory over both sweet and breakfast options. What’s more, savory foods are also the most popular choice for many types of catered events. From corporate meetings to weddings, savory food truck selections top the list.

Another interesting piece of data is that tacos and sandwiches are the most popular among food truck eaters in Austin. Frequently chosen by catered events as well as patrons, these two food items hit the spot for many Austin locals. The data shows that, on average, eaters pay $19.00 for a sandwich and $18.00 for tacos. This is on par with other food items averages, such as hot dogs at $19.00, burgers at $21.00, and pasta at $16.00 a serving.

Food trucks offering alternatives based on lifestyle- and allergen-friendly options are also standard in the Austin area. The breakdown shows that the most sought-after among these are vegetarian meal options at an overwhelming 76.69%. Following this was vegan at 9.82% and gluten-free fare at 5.52%. These options’ average cost is almost the same as savory options, with vegetarian food coming in at $17.00 per person, vegan at $18.00, and gluten-free at $20.00.

Sweet foods are always popular choices for food truck vendors. Fundraisers served the most tempting treats of any event type in the area. However, they were the second most popular option for many other event types after savory. Beverages and frozen treats also come in as irresistible opportunities for many events that feature catering, as well as diners ordering at the truck window.  As one might guess, coffee leads the race for the most popular beverage at $14.00 on average. The second is tea at $16.00 followed by smoothies at $10.00 on average.

This dive into the data on Austin’s food trucks merely scratches the surface. If you want to learn more, please see the accompanying resource for further information.