When I was a kid, the only mobile food around was the ice cream truck, but today, times have changed and food trucks in the South Sound are more than just a trend, there are some solid, absolutely can't-be-beat menus out there on wheels.  The choices today are more varied than I could ever cover in just 10 trucks, but I've covered the Sound driving, following and eating, looking for the most creative and consistent trucks around.

P&J's Waffle Delight    

There are still people out there that shrug at the thought of combining chicken and waffles into one meal, however, let P&J's Waffle Delight change your mind.  The menu changes daily, but the featured namesake is always available.  Stop by and enjoy a crispy buttermilk waffle stacked with spicy wings or tenders, a generous scoop of butter, and sweet maple syrup to tie it all together.

Based out of Sumner, 510.335.5393, pandjswaffledelight.com

The Frying Dutchman    

Granted, I was probably drawn to The Frying Dutchman because of the name, but the five-piece beer-battered prawns and chips for just $10 will rival any at a sit-down restaurant.  Add house-made dill tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or lime cilantro mayo to any of the seafood dishes available and you will be certain to come back again and again.

1203 Porter Way, Milton, 206.713.2210, facebook.com/EatTheDutch/

Grab some quick wings and a roll at Uncle Lyman's BBQ pit. Photo credit: Dutch Randall
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Uncle Lyman's BBQ Pit

Bar-b-que is generally a matter of taste depending on the region of spice and meat you prefer, but when I see food truck towing a smoker / BBQ grill ... I'm all in.  Uncle Lyman's BBQ Pit has just such a set-up.  They offer everything from naked grilled or "dressed" wings, to slow smoked chicken, and even occasional specials like Thai wings.  I suggest grabbing a quick wings and roll, and give your fingers a lick, while you check out the specials.

253.224.9369, facebook.com/unclelymans/

Go to Olympia and enjoy fresh, authentic tacos at California Tacos. Photo credit: Dutch Randall
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California Tacos

Lots of you may think taco truck when you think of mobile food, and California Tacos in Olympia is one reason for that.  They've taken fresh and authentic and made it mobile at two locations.  With a full menu of tacos, mulitas, sopes and burritos, you can choose the level of heat and chase it down with a Mexican Coke.  Their tacos are a hidden gem in their simplicity; choice of meat grilled and topped with fresh onion and cilantro, then wrapped in a five-inch tortilla.

800 Sleater-Kinney Rd. SE, Olympia, 360.789.9767, tacoscalifornia.com

2411 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia, 360.789.9305, tacoscalifornia.com

JW at the Boatyard

As if walking the Gig Harbor waterfront isn't already a great day, JW at the Boatyard takes outdoor dining to a sophisticated level. From the fish and chips, to the pulled pork sandwich, all the way to the lobster roll, the quality and selection here is well above par.  But surprisingly it wasn't the fancy seafood that left me wanting more, it was the bacon cheddar corn dog.  JW has managed to take a childhood favorite and dress it up with bacon and cheddar, and then pair it up with adult deli mustard.

3117 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, 253.432.9991

Experience the Pepperoni Plus at Stone Creek Wood Fired Pizza in Olympia. Photo credit: Dutch Randall
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Stone Creek Wood Fired Pizza

Pizza out of the back of a truck? Yep, it's possible, and at Stone Creek Wood Fired Pizza in Olympia, it's all made in-house and still served up within a matter of minutes.  There are far too many original choices to only stop by once; Stone Creek requires multiple visits to really grasp everything they have to offer. Even the simplest of pizza will get a spin like no other.  The Pepperoni Plus adds feta cheese to the classic pepperoni, but it changes the experience completely.  You also will not want to miss out on the scratch cinnamon rolls made daily.

3644 Mud Bay Rd. NW, Olympia, 360.888.9500, stonecreekwfp.com/

Budha Bear Bagels

Not all food truck cuisine needs to be complicated or drastically original, and Budha Bear Bagels is a prime example of this as they keep it simple with house-made bagels in a variety of flavors, and assorted sandwiches.  Now, don't be fooled that a simple sandwich can't be life-altering, because the Bad Ass Budha Burger may just do that.  Your choice of bagel served with a half-pound angus beef patty, sautéed onions, peppered bacon, three cheeses all melting over the edge, and BBQ sauce, will assure that you never see a bagel the same again.

253.228.5914, facebook.com/BudhaBearBagelsCafe/

Mikey's Wiener Trap

Mikey's Wiener Trap is more of a hot dog cart than an actual truck, but the variety and quality of the dogs are more than enough to warrant repeat visits.  You're sure to enjoy a basic dog or chili dog, but my recommendation is to branch out a bit with either the New Yorker dog with sautéed onions and peppers with cream cheese, or the Guadalajara dog with fresh tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole.  Fair warning, it's called the Wiener Trap for a reason.

253.861.5303, facebook.com/MikeysWienerTrap/

The best burgers you've ever had is at Out and Above Burgers in Puyallup. Photo credit: Dutch Randall
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Out and Above Burgers

If you find yourself in Puyallup, the good news is that Out and Above Burgers has a permanent location, and the better news is that it may just be one of the best burgers you ever bite into.  This is a simple burger, fries and shake burger joint, but there is nothing simple about the burgers.  Every burger is loaded with lettuce, grilled or fresh onions, fresh tomato slice, pickles and Thousand Island dressing. Now how many patties would you like? Cheese? Bacon?  I say, say yes to it all, and then add fries and a shake.

14214 Meridian Ave. E., Puyallup, 253.677.1974, outandaboutburgers.com/food.htm

Butt Naked Organics

Grabbing food out of the back of a truck does not mean that you have to give up eating healthy, and Butt Naked Organics has you covered.  All menu items are organic and locally grown so you are guaranteed fresh choices here.  One such item that is a foundation to the menu is the Dirty Hand Wrap of sautéed portabella mushrooms, red onion, bell peppers, an avocado spread and garlic aioli, topped with fresh greens and a balsamic vinaigrette wrapped in a sun-dried tomato tortilla.  This wrap takes freshness to a new level.

420 Steele St. SE, Olympia, 360.890.6262, facebook.com/buttnak3dfoodtruck/

All this food truck goodness might seem difficult to find, but simply check the sites for daily locations or for any nearby food truck festivals, and your efforts will surely be rewarded.  We've come a long way in recent years when it comes to mobile cuisine, and it's easy to see why it is trending these days.