DES MOINES DIGEST GUIDE
Where the good stuff is parked this week, and how to actually find it.
The Ultimate Guide to Des Moines Food Trucks
This Guide Is Still Growing
We’re still working on this guide and would appreciate your feedback.
Please go to the Was This Helpful? section at the bottom of the page. There, you can rank the guide, report outdated information, and tell us what we should add or improve.
01 — LOCAL GUIDE
How to Find a Food Truck Today
Des Moines food trucks do not live in one permanent park. Some keep a regular parking-lot location, some move between breweries and office districts, and others appear mainly at festivals. The useful question is not just “Which trucks are good?” It is “Where can I confirm that they are serving today?”
Start with the truck’s own website, Facebook page, or Instagram account. Check the newest post rather than relying on an old roundup or third-party directory. Schedules can change because of weather, private catering, mechanical problems, or a sellout, so confirm before driving across the metro.
PRACTICAL TIP
Check the most recent post, not the profile bio. A truck may list a usual home base while posting a different event location for the day.
02 — LOCAL GUIDE
Reliable Places to Start
Out to Lunch
Seven Wednesdays in 2026
The downtown series ran May 13 through June 24 from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m., with rotating food vendors and live music. Use the official page for the next season’s dates.
DSM Food Truck Mall
Summer Monday gathering
The recurring Pleasant Hill gathering brings several mobile vendors together. Use the event’s own Facebook page for current dates, hours, and participating trucks.
Brewery Calendars
Best for dinner trucks
Confluence and other metro breweries regularly host mobile kitchens because many taprooms do not operate full restaurant kitchens. Check the brewery’s event page before leaving.
Markets and Festivals
Best for variety
The Downtown Farmers’ Market, neighborhood festivals, community celebrations, and large summer events bring several trucks together. Event pages are more reliable than old roundup articles.
03 — LOCAL GUIDE
Featured: The Guntur Talkies
South Indian street food with a permanent West Des Moines location
We previously featured The Guntur Talkies in Des Moines Digest. Its current official site lists 7655 Office Plaza Dr N, West Des Moines, which makes it easier to find than a truck that changes lots every day.
Why it belongs in this guide
The permanent address is useful, but the business still fits the broader street-food and mobile-catering scene. The official site also provides ordering and catering information, so it is the best source for current service details.
04 — LOCAL GUIDE
Des Moines Food Truck Directory
This table includes 32 trucks and street-food businesses. FoodTrucksDSM was used to identify current local listings and locate the social badges, but every reader-facing link goes directly to the business’s website, Facebook page, or Instagram account. Listings without a verifiable direct business link remain excluded.
| Truck | What it serves | Direct business link | Permanent or recurring location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Guntur Talkies | Andhra and South Indian street food | Official website | 7655 Office Plaza Dr N, West Des Moines |
| On the Hook Fish and Chips | Fish and chips | Official schedule | Mobile — use its official location finder |
| Smokey D’s BBQ | Barbecue | Official website | Mobile truck plus permanent restaurant locations |
| Veggie Thumper | Vegan and plant-based comfort food | Official website | Mobile — official site links to current social updates |
| Magoo’s Pizza DSM | Wood-fired thin-crust pizza | Official website | Mobile — check its official page for current details |
| Roadside Tacos | Tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos | Official website | Mobile — official site includes schedule and catering details |
| Lachele’s Battle Bus | Smashburgers and sandwiches | Official truck page | Mobile — official page links to its Instagram schedule |
| Banh May Food Truck | Bánh mì, bao buns and Asian-fusion dishes | Official Facebook | Mobile — check its newest Facebook post |
| The Outside Scoop | Homemade ice cream | Official website | Mobile trucks plus permanent shops |
| Karam’s Grill | Mediterranean and halal food | Official Facebook | Mobile — check its newest Facebook post |
| Kaaswagen | Grilled cheese | Official Facebook | Mobile — check its newest Facebook post |
| TikkaTalk | Indian street food | Official Instagram | Mobile — check its newest Instagram post |
| The Eggroll Ladies | Egg rolls and Asian snacks | Official Facebook | Mobile — check its newest Facebook post |
| Pie Mates Australian Bakehouse | Australian savory pies | Official Facebook | Mobile and event-based |
| Jambo African Cuisine | African cuisine | Official Facebook | Mobile — check its newest Facebook post |
| Big Red Food Truck | Burgers, tacos, gyros and rotating specials | Official Facebook | Mobile — check its newest Facebook post |
| Tacos El Chorypollo | Tacos and Mexican food | Official website | Permanent Des Moines locations listed by the business |
| Tacos Degollado | Tacos and Mexican food | Facebook page | 1817 University Ave, Des Moines |
| What the Fries DSM | Loaded fries | Official Instagram | Regular service has been posted at 105 E Euclid Ave; confirm today |
| Big Acai Altoona | Açaí bowls and dairy-free smoothies | Official mobile-cafe page | Mobile — official page lists @bigacaialtoona for updates |
| Wingz On Wheelz | Wings, shrimp, fish, burgers and fries | Official Facebook | Recent posts list 3011 Ingersoll Ave; confirm before visiting |
| Big Mama’s Bistro DSM | Hot Italian sandwiches and appetizers | Official Facebook | Mobile — check its newest Facebook post |
| Stickyfingers Mobile Food Unit | Chicken tenders, sandwiches, breakfast and event food | Official Facebook | Mobile — its Facebook page posts upcoming stops |
| Polish King | Chicago-style Polish sausage, Italian beef and fries | Official Facebook | Mobile — check its newest Facebook post |
| Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream | Rolled ice cream and desserts | Official Facebook | Permanent shop at 303 SW School St, Ankeny; also attends events |
| Peggy-O’s Food Truck | Smoked meat sandwiches with vegetarian and vegan options | Official Instagram | Mobile — weekly locations are posted on social media |
| Charlotte’s Kitchen | Chicken sandwiches and appetizers | Official Instagram | Mobile truck plus permanent metro restaurants |
| Sabores de Mexico | Tacos, tamales, tortas and quesadillas | Official Facebook | Mobile — check its newest Facebook post |
| Totally Rolled Ice Cream | Rolled ice cream | Official website | 5545 Mills Civic Pkwy, Suite 103, West Des Moines; also attends events |
| Hotsy Totsy | Loaded tater tots, sandwiches and burgers | Official website | Mobile — official site includes current tracking information |
| Kona Ice of Central Iowa | Shaved ice | Official Instagram | Mobile — check its newest Instagram post |
| DonutNV | Hot mini donuts, lemonade and coffee | Official website | Mobile franchise — use the official locator and confirm the Iowa operator |
05 — LOCAL GUIDE
Permanent and Recurring Stops
These are the easiest options when you do not want to chase a moving schedule. Still check the linked page before leaving because hours and parking-lot arrangements can change.
Wingz On Wheelz
Recent posts list 3011 Ingersoll Ave; confirm before visiting
What the Fries DSM
Regular service has been posted at 105 E Euclid Ave; confirm today
06 — LOCAL GUIDE
Events and Calendars Worth Watching
Out to Lunch
A downtown weekday lunch series with published dates and rotating lineups.
Downtown Farmers’ Market
A reliable Saturday gathering point during market season, though vendors rotate.
StreetFoodFinder
A second tracking option when a truck uses that platform for live schedules.
07 — LOCAL GUIDE
Before You Drive Across Town
HEADS UP
Food-truck schedules are unusually fragile. Weather, private catering, repairs, and sellouts can change a location with little notice. Check the newest post or schedule entry on the day you plan to visit.
Know a truck that should be added, or see a permanent location that changed? Use the Was This Helpful? section below. That feedback is what will keep this directory useful instead of turning it into another stale list.
Help Keep the Truck Directory Current
Send us a missing truck, a corrected link, or a permanent location. We will use reader reports to keep this guide useful.
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