Top five food trucks at Tropical Park

Every Friday night, Tropical Park (7900 SW 40th St., 786 287-6688) hosts an event from 5 to 9:30 p.m. where food trucks serve many different cuisines. It’s great for friends, families and couples looking to try new foods. 

Here are five of the best food trucks to consider before planning your visit. 

Chef Gregory George enjoys cooking for his customers. (Sharon Cruz/SFMN)

3 Island G’s 
305-874-0544

This food truck owned by Chef Gregory George specializes in smoked meats and seafood. Among the best dishes are smoked wings and fries ($13) and crab cakes and rice ($16). The delicious side orders include french fries, sweet potato, mac n’ cheese, vegetables and rice pilaf. The best seller is brisket, which is seasoned well and smoked for 18 hours. George, originally from Jamaica, is a chef by trade who started the business 7 years ago. His proudest moments come when he connects with his customers and observes their reactions as they taste his food.

“Changing the world one taste bud at a time,” he says.

The celebrity food truck staff enjoys cooking and spreading the taste of Puerto Rican food throughout the Miami area. (Photo courtesy of El Bori)

El Bori Food Truck 
305-778-1111

This Puerto Rican truck has been operating since July 2018 and a second mobile kitchen was added in August 2021. It serves typical Puerto Rican dishes such as tripletas (a Puerto Rican sandwich that contains grilled steak, lechon and ham), sorullitos (corn fritters), empanadillas (turnovers), and alcapurrias (root vegetables and plantains with beef). The best seller is mofongo; green fried plantains mixed with a protein, salt, garlic, broth and olive oil. El Bori has even served celebrities like singer Nicky Jam. It offers affordable prices from $3 to $19.

Client patiently waiting for his Nutella milkshake at The Market milkshake bar truck (Sharon Cruz/SFMN)

The Market Milkshake Bar
305-956-8710

The number three slot on this list goes to The Market Milkshake Bar. This truck, which has been described as deceptively simple, serves milkshakes. But the milkshakes are unique in variety and flair. The selections are endless and include flavors like guava and cheese, key lime pie and Ferrero Rocher. Each serving has its own set of toppings. The shakes have an abundance of garnishes. They can be topped with chocolates, cakes or even ice cream sandwiches. Each shake costs $10, which includes toppings– making these delectable treats worth twice as much. For those closer to the Miami Beach area, The Market Milkshake Bar also has a permanent storefront at Lincoln Eatery (723 Lincoln Lane N. in North Miami Beach) open Sunday to Thursday from 1 – 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 1 – 10 p.m.

Z Cocina Mexicana food truck (Sharon Cruz/SFMN)

Z Cocina Mexicana
786-360-4468

This food truck focuses entirely on Mexican cuisine. The menu includes a variety of dishes including tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Each one comes with a protein of your choice such as chicken or steak. The food is exquisite, the chips crispy and fresh, and the meat tender and delicious. As for cost, the slogan on the truck says it all: “Simply authentic Mexican cuisine at affordable prices.”

The prices range from $8 to $12. For instance, the chips and guacamole are $8, and the flautas are $12. If you enjoy your visit at Z Cocina Mexicana, make sure to visit owner/chef Carlos Jimenez’s establishment, Hecho a Mano Restaurant (3399 NW 72nd Ave #106, 786-360-4468), which has a similar Tex-Mex theme and menu.

The Mac Bowl food truck (Sharon Cruz/SFMN)

Mac Bowl
(833)-622-2695

The Mac Bowl was founded in 2019 and is a football-themed food truck that serves gourmet mac and cheese topped with a variety of meats such as brisket and pulled pork. It is best known for the jalapeño cheddar waffle bowl, because according to their slogan, the food is so good you’ll want to eat the bowl. The food has football-related names; for instance, Mc Bowl owners refer to the proteins as linemen and dessert is the end zone. The prices depend on the meat, but generally everything is between $5 and $18. Visit the Facebook page for updates on locations and events.

Maria Ubeda is currently an undergraduate student at Florida International University who is currently studying to get her bachelor’s degree in Journalism, with a minor in English. She is perfecting her skills by writing and publishing her school articles on Caplin News. She hopes to one day work in the news industry as a journalist and write stories that make an impact on the lives of the readers.

Sharon Cruz is a senior majoring in journalism at FIU. Her main interests are writing, dancing, traveling, and spending quality time with her loved ones. She aspires to become an entertainment journalist and lawyer.