As food trucks continue to be in their prime, Syracuse has recently seen a surge in one particular cuisine: Latin American food. Empanadas, quesadillas, plantains, and more delicious dishes are more popular than ever in Central New York. And what better time to try new Latin-inspired food than during Caribbean American Heritage Month? So next time you’re at a festival or food truck rodeo, check out these Latin American food trucks in Syracuse.
PS – don’t forget to use Street Food Finder to locate your favorite food trucks and check their menus.
Callé Tropical
At Callé Tropical, you won’t be overwhelmed by the number of choices to make. Because they specialize in one thing and they do it well: empanadas. The truck officially opened in October 2021, as a means for Odalys and Negron Nelson to bring their Puerto Rican culture to Syracuse. Born in Caguas, PR, Odalys travels home at least once a year, and brings back authentic Latin American flavors to Central New York.
When you get up to the food truck window, you have three simple choices. Do you want a traditional empanada, or do you want an empanada bowl? Then, do want something traditional or something more creative – like chicken wing dip or philly cheesesteak? Lastly, do you want a side with that? Simple and delicious.
You can usually find Callé Tropical parked at a local brewery or a pop-up event.
Elbita’s Cocina
The menu at Elbita’s Cocina starts off with the traditional beef and cheese empanadas. From there, they add cubanos, chicken wings, and a variety of protein bowls. If you’re looking for their signature taste, try their Honey Garlic Jerk Sauce.
You can usually find Elbita’s Cocina at the Amazon warehouse, festivals, breweries, and the weekly Party in the Square.
Mamacita’s
In addition to the standard empanadas, Mamacita’s mixes it up with some more unique dishes. When you visit their food truck, be sure to try their bacalaito, cod fritters with garlic and cilantro. Or go for the birria egg rolls, an unusual twist on the famous tacos. Grab a cup of their cilantro lime crema or ketchumayo to top off your meal.
You can usually find Mamacita’s at both the Great Northern and Shoppingtown #SYRFoodTrucks events, festivals, and breweries.
Sarita’s
Serving Spanish food with an American twist, the Sarita Cruz has been specializing in empanadas since 2013. With little money and a pop-up camper, Sarita saw the rising interest in empanadas and envisioned an empanada becoming as popular as a slice of pizza. Now, Sarita’s vies to increase exposure to Latin American food and culture in an effort to diversify Syracuse. The truck’s standard flavors include beef, vegetarian black bean, and buffalo chicken wing dip. The empanadas truly stand out from the crowd, weighing in at a quarter pound each. Treat yourself by completing your meal at Sarita’s with one of their dessert empanadas. The banana jamma contains banana, peanut butter, and fluff.
You can usually find Sarita’s on Wednesdays at the Great Northern #SYRFoodTrucks events, and later this summer at the Delta Lake concession stand in Rome.
More Latin American Eateries in Central New York
Can’t get enough Latin American flavors? In Utica, order delivery from Sun Tastes. Lastly, check out the Puerto Rican Festival at Sharkeys in Liverpool on Saturday, July 23rd.
