5. Red Hook Lobster Pound
Credit the portability of that most revered New England-style roll, but this food-truck fleet was one of the first to take off in Arlington and is still going strong. Red Hook Lobster Pound also has trucks in New York City and Montauk, New York.
Red Hook serves lobster and shrimp rolls in the Maine style (with mayo) but it will also give them a Connecticut-style treatment (with butter) on request. The truck was the first to offer a fountain soda dispenser built into its side (with Maine Root soda, no less) and continues to innovate. Last year, the brand began selling its wares from a sidewalk cart called Mini ME (as in Maine) that is usually parked in Ballston.
Follow Red Hook on Twitter @LobsterTruckDC
6. Rocklands BBQ
The local brand’s burgundy stamp has meant “BBQ” in the DC area for more than two decades, whether it’s being served in one of Rocklands’ four brick-and-mortar locations (in Arlington, Alexandria, the District and Rockville) or from the food trucks that the company launched in 2013.
Many of the wood-smoked offerings of chicken, pork, beef and sausage are available wrapped in a roll for easy street eating. Vegetarian options are on the menu, too, and the trucks are often tapped for catering events.
Follow the trucks on Twitter @RocklandsBBQTruck