Summer Is Food Truck Season: Here Are the Best Places to Find Them

Denver's food truck scene, much like the recent weather, is hot. Still, unless you follow your favorite trucks on social media, it can be hard to track down your meals on wheels.

That's why we love hitting up the places where food trucks regularly set up, making them the perfect destinations for discovering new, delicious mobile food options. Here are your four best options:
La Esquina Del Sabor
During the pandemic, the parking lot at 15200 East Colfax Avenue became a gathering place for food trucks looking for a place to serve customers. Three years later, the space continues to be a draw, with seven or so trucks posting up on weekdays; on weekends, around 35 trucks cater to the hungry crowds, offering fare from various regions of Mexico as well as El Salvador, Venezuela, Colombia, Honduras and other Latin American countries. Doug McMurrain, who originally purchased the former Kmart property in order to convert the building into an indoor event center and marketplace, is now nearing the final phases of opening La Plaza Colorado there this fall. It will be filled with repurposed shipping container stalls for food vendors, along with a full bar, grocery store, bakery, arcade and more. Civic Center EATS
Step up your lunch-break game at Civic Center EATS. This year, the gathering of food trucks is taking place twice a week, every Wednesday and Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Civic Center Park, through September 14. The list of participating food trucks includes many tempting options, including Big Apple Bodega, Westword's 2023 Readers' Choice Best Food Truck winner for its chopped cheese sandwiches, as well as this year's Best Food Truck editorial pick: Maiz, which specializes in deep-fried gorditas.
City Park Jazz
A longstanding tradition, City Park Jazz isn't just about the free concerts; it's also a great excuse to spend some time in the park with friends, enjoying the fresh air and the smells coming from Food Truck Alley. The number of options have expanded over the years, and the 2023 selection is especially impressive, with everything from tacos, pizza and ice cream to Ethiopian, Greek and Cuban eats. City Park Jazz takes place every Sunday through August 7; shows start at 6 p.m., but people begin showing up between 4 and 5 p.m. to secure their spot. And their dinner.
Along Federal Boulevard
More than a decade ago, former Westword food and drink editor Mark Antonation began eating his way down the entirety of Federal Boulevard for a series called A Federal Case, which he revisited last year. While dining at the brick-and-mortar restaurants along this strip is a delicious adventure that spans global cuisines, don't overlook the many food trucks and carts along the way. One surefire bet: Find a mobile food business with towers of meat spinning slowly on a trompo and order a full plate of tacos that you can load with various condiments.