Yummy Food Trucks & Where to Find Them in Downtown Des Moines

Taste your way through global flavors! These Downtown Des Moines (DSM) food trucks and pop-up food stands are making appearances at downtown festivals, events and breweries. And here’s where to spot them.

1. The Big Red Food Truck

Appears Downtown at: Neil Smith Federal Building, Out to Lunch
A wide variety of foods are on deck here: burgers, tacos, gyros and apps like mozzarella sticks and fried pickles. The menu changes frequently, but the BRT Fabulous Fish Taco is a fan favorite! (Fun fact: The Brick & Ember Pizza Company food truck is under the same ownership!)
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2. The Eggroll Ladies

Appears Downtown at: Out to Lunch, CelebrAsian, DSM PrideFest, World Food & Music Festival, Des Moines Arts Festival
This small business brings big flavor! Eggrolls, spring rolls, potstickers, rangoons — all the best Asian bites from one tasty food truck.
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3. Harrington’s Dining Car

Appears Downtown at: Iowa Finance Authority, Out to Lunch, Peace Tree
The main dishes include Po Boys, burgers and other sandwiches, but don’t sleep on the snacks menu with Cuban empanadas, street corn wontons and soul rolls: egg rolls stuffed with collard greens, candied yams and cornbread stuffing with a cranberry habanero dipping sauce. And you’ve just got to taste the fresh squeezed lavender lemonade.
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4. Hawaiian Grill

Appears Downtown at: Out to Lunch, World Food & Music Festival, 80/35 Music Festival, Water Works Park Concert Series
Here’s your chance to snag some unique and made-from-scratch Hawaiian barbecue food, right here on the mainland! When you enjoy food from this family-owned food truck, you’re part of the Ohana.
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5. Hotsy Totsy

Appears Downtown at: Peace Tree, Out to Lunch, Des Moines Arts Festival, Iowa Craft Brew Festival, Christkindlmarkt, Hoops & Hops
These aren’t your mama’s tater tots. We’re talking crab rangoon tots, brats and tots (with sauerkraut!) and tots smothered with lobster alfredo.
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6. Jambo African Cuisine

Appears Downtown at: Downtown Farmers’ Market, Out to Lunch, Des Moines Arts Festival
Popping at various events around Downtown Des Moines, give East African dishes a try! Beef of chicken samosas, fried cassava (yuca), beef kabobs, sea food platter, mandazi, chicken curry — so many memorable flavors!
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7. Kaaswagen

Appears Downtown at: Out to Lunch, Peace Tree, Principal
This family-owned food truck calls Pella home, but takes its delicious eats on the road, too! Their rotating menu includes mac and cheese selections and sandwiches, with an emphasis on Dutch fare. Order the Hungry Dutchman: bits of Pella bologna and dried beef, served on a bed of macaroni, complete with smoked gouda cheese sauce. You won’t regret it!
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8. Karam’s Grill

Appears Downtown at: Out to Lunch, Downtown Farmers’ Market, World Food & Music Festival, 80/35 Music Festival
Homemade Mediterranean goodness! Some of their menu items include lamb gyros, chicken shawarma pita, veggie falafel pita, Greek salad gyro platter and lots more! Give your taste buds a mini vacation to Morocco — without ever leaving Downtown Des Moines.
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9. NesEmil Yum-Yum

Appears Downtown at: Out to Lunch, Peace Tree
This Black-owned family business serves up tasty multicultural foods with a modern touch. Try the shrimp or chicken kabobs with a side of fried plantains. Yum yum!
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10. Pie Mates Australian Bakehouse

Appears Downtown at: Confluence Brewing Co., Out to Lunch, Downtown Farmers’ Market, Yankee Doodle Pops, Iowa Craft Brew Festival
Did you know can get your fave sweet pastries and savory pies not only from St. Kilda Collective, but at pop-up events around Downtown Des Moines too? Believe it.
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11. Tacos El Chorypollo

Appears Downtown at: 1330 Keo Way
Known for their Choripollo dish: marinated chicken covered in melted cheese and chorizo, served with both rice and salad. The taste is complete when smothered in fresh salsa, with several to choose from!
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12. Vibrations Vegan Wellness Cafe

Appears Downtown at: Out to Lunch, Downtown Farmers’ Market, Mainframe Studios
Peeking around for something plant-based? Keep your eyes peeled for Vibrations Vegan Wellness Cafe at several Downtown Des Moines events! The fully Vegan menu will have you swooning. Give the Vegan sausage, egg ‘n cheese biscuits a try — we double-dog dare you!
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Out to Lunch takes place every Wednesday from May 15 – June 26 in Downtown Des Moines, with a different location each week and rotating food trucks on-site.

And don’t miss other festivals and events featuring food trucks, including the Downtown Farmers’ Market, World Food & Music Festival and many more! Find a list here.

For these upcoming events and more, find tips on Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parking and navigation. For additional upcoming events, visit the Downtown DSM events calendar. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.