There's been a recent resurgence in food trucks locally. It's a great way for small businesses to promote their cuisine: a mobile retail space is cheaper and easier to maintain and can travel with the flow of customers—to a business park during lunchtime, or near residential areas in the evening. 

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of this trend is the wide variety of cuisine to which this unusual marketing method appeals.  Keep reading for some surprises!

Pupuseria Lorenita's

• Sells: Tacos and burritos; El Nayar in Elkridge got its start along this route, which is popular with many fans of Mexican food
• Route: 7731 Washington Boulevard (Route 1) or thereabouts, 9-4 daily
• Cost: $2 per taco; $5 per burrito
• Specialty: Double-shell tacos have enough flavorful fillings to make two from one: tender meat, crispy radishes and a squeeze of lime create authentic Mexican flavor at an insanely low price.

Jessup Deli

• Sells: Korean barbeque; American burgers
• Route: Parked on MD 175, just west of MD 295
• Cost: $9 for a lunch platter of meat, rice, salad and vegetables
• Specialty: Bulgogi: thin slices of roasted meat served with various sauces and fragrant spiced rice.  If you think you don't like Korean food, this is the place to start changing your mind.

Dave's BBQ

• Sells: A rotating menu of smoked and grilled meat
• Route: Parked outside the Savage MARC station from 9 AM until lunchtime
• Cost: $6 for most sandwiches; $9 for ribs
• Specialty: Jambalaya, served about once a month; contact him for details.

Sidewalk Sweetsations

• Sells: Cupcakes, miniature pies
• Route: From its kitchen in Baltimore to D.C., through Howard and Montgomery Counties; check Twitter for updates.
• Cost: $3 for one; $30 for a dozen; whole cakes and pies from $13
• Specialty: "Cuptails," modeled after favorite drinks and those with names that beg to be explained ("Linda’s Pina Colada Jackpot?"). The self-styled Big Yellow Cool Bus is rentable for parties, too.

Souper Freak

• Sells: Whaddaya think?
• Route: Downtown Baltimore; check website for updates.
• Cost: Around $6 for soups and sandwiches; $4 for side salads
• Specialty: Unusual, daring combinations that get rave reviews: current offerings include West African Peanut, Irish Potato Leek, and Jamaican Carrot. Broaden your culinary horizons a little. You won't be sorry!

Emily Lowe is a Catonsville native who enjoys cooking, gardening and eating locally.