Food trucks ring in spring at Balboa Park

Balboa Park’s infamous food trucks are rumbling again, and our stomachs are definitely grumbling.

Though known as a common spring break tourist destination, Balboa Park is also a year-round foodie hotspot enjoyed by many locals. One of its most well-known series is Food Truck Fridays, which began in 2016 and hosts weekly culinary events throughout the summer evenings.

This month, they’re serving up both new and returning visitors with a spring break celebration, aptly named the Spring Fling Food Truck Festival, which is slated for Monday, April 15 through Friday, April 19. The festivities will sprawl El Prado walkway and Plaza de Panama.

With more than two dozen vendors participating in the five-day event, there’s surely something for everyone to enjoy.

See below for the full roster. (Vendors rotate each day, so double check the schedule to make sure you don’t miss out on the food truck you have your eye on.)

American Flavors

Beachin’ Boba

Born in Brooklyn

Bosnian Grill

Cousins Maine Lobster

Dang Brothers Pizza

Devil Dogs BBQ

Devilicious

El Hueco

Eat Your Heart Out

Frida’s Cocina

Goodness Cookie Co

Haad Sai

Lil’ Miss Shortcakes

Manga Manga

Marcel Belgium Waffles

Mastiff Kitchen & Catering

Monster Crafts

Pierogi Truck

Pomodoro Rosso

Simply Fresh

Super Q

Sushi Uno

Tacos la Mezcla

Tacos y Mariscos El Jefe

Two for the Road

Yo Yo Bento

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available at select locations and listed online, letting you indulge in Eat Your Heart Out Nachos, slurp up some drunken noodles or savor some vodka cream pasta.

In between bites, you can satisfy your visual and auditory senses with live entertainment, which kicks off at 4 p.m. each evening. The lineup features Theo and the Zydeco Patrol (Monday, April 15), Carmen Murray Jazz Trio (Tuesday, April 16), Flavor Company Dance Entertainment (Wednesday, April 17), Bayou Brothers (Thursday, April 18) and Tavo & Mariachi 3.0 (Friday, April 19).

Other activities will be sprawled on the Plaza throughout the week, including a vintage photo booth and a DIY greeting card station. A few Balboa Park museums and attractions will also keep their doors open for after-hours exploration.

Though the festival’s offerings are abundant, this spring break paradise is definitely focused on the food – so hop on over to Balboa Park for some mouth-watering delights to celebrate the warmer weather.

WHEN: Noon to 7 p.m., April 15 through 19

WHERE: Balboa Park (Plaza de Panama and El Prado walkway)

PHONE: 619.239.0512

ONLINE: balboaparkconservancy.org/project/spring