Best Food Trucks In Chicago

Chicago doesn't make it easy for food truck entrepreneurs. From parking restrictions to extensive inspections, if they want to cook on their truck, anyone who runs a food truck in the Windy City is clearly dedicated to the craft of street food. While Chicago doesn't have nearly as many food trucks as other big cities around the country, there's definitely a large contingent here, enough to run a food truck fest come fall. But which are the best of the best? You can't go wrong with these old faves, as well as these five trucks (or, in some cases, they're sister brick and mortar locations too) listed here.

5411 Empanadas
2850 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 755-5411
www.5411empanadas.com

It isn't just the price point -- $2.50 for each empanada that your heart desires -- that makes this one of the best food trucks in Chicago. These handmade gourmet empanadas are perfect, whether you're looking for a snack or a full meal. Savor simple empanadas, like the beef, or go with the more unique sweet corn, which is made with sauteed onions, bechamel sauce, mozzarella cheese and, of course, corn. Looking for a sweet empanada? You can get that too with the banana and nutella option. Chimichurri and a red hot sauce are also available to dip your empanadas in. Follow the truck on its Twitter page.

Haute Sausage
335 S. Franklin St.
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 212-1700
www.hautesausage.com

Combine Chicago's love of sausages with South African flavors from Rich Levy, and you've got what Haute Sausage calls "Afro-Midwestern" fusion. Or you can just call it delicious. Whether you're stopping by the truck or the Loop storefront, you can grab tasty eats, like a campfire bison (made with High Plains Bison sausage and topped with barbecue sauce, onions, roasted corn and baked beans), or a turkey confit (a turkey sausage made with dilly beans, duck confit and roasted red pepper aioli). Other street food eats, like brisket poutine, are also available.

The Southern Mac and Cheese
Chicago, IL
(773) 342-1840
www.facebook.com/thesouthernmac

Forget what you thought you knew about mac and cheese, because you're not getting any boxed cheesy noodles from this truck. For a cheesy gourmet experience unlike any other, track this truck's moves on Twitter. Your stomach will thank you once you dive into such crazy but wonderful combinations like BBQ brisket mac and cheese or ramp and asparagus mac, if you're looking for some veggies in your meal. Just looking for a classic mac and cheese? You can get that too, fittingly called the 'old fashioned' on the menu.

Related: Best Mexican Restaurants In Chicago

Tamale Spaceship
1341 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 909-7009
www.thetamalespaceship.com

Don't let the Lucha Libre masked man behind the counter at this food truck intimidate you. Because behind that mask, and in that truck, are some of the best tamales you'll ever have. As one of the original food trucks in all of Chicago and recipient of a number of local accolades and foodie awards, Tamale Spaceship continues to draw in patrons with its authentic Mexican tamales -- from its picturesque roasted pork to its simple vegetarian roasted poblano -- even if they're priced at $8 per pair. It's worth it. And don't forget a side of the guacamole too.

Flirty Cupcakes
1030 W. Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 852-4441
www.flirtycupcakes.com

Need a sugar fix to follow all of that delectable food truck fare? Find it on a converted ice cream truck. Flirty Cupcakes offers, you guessed it, cupcakes in a delicious array of flavors which change on a weekly basis. Whether you bite into the red velvet cupcakes or the less-traditional but just as yummy oreo cookie cupcake, you can't go wrong.

Related: Best Cupcakes In Chicago

Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she's scribbling novels, and TV show reviews and recaps. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.