It’s National Taco Day: The Top Food Truck Dish in New Jersey and the Country

Today's the day! October 4^th is the official National Taco Day in the U.S. even though it's not Tuesday. A recent study by Shane Co. reports on the top food truck food in America. They also address the top food truck food in New Jersey.

Food trucks have become a staple in Central Jersey, and in so many cases the food they serve is amazing and delicious. Sometimes it’s much better than most restaurants. Trying a local food truck is the perfect way to embrace fall weather and some new tasty dishes.

These mobile kitchens continue to pop up in towns in New Jersey and big cities like New York and Philadelphia. The team at Shane Co. conducted an investigation as to what food truck item in every state is most popular.

To determine this, they compiled a list of the top ten food trucks in New Jersey. Then, they found the overall top 30 menu items based on the online listings from the 10 local New Jersey trucks. Nationally, over 500 trucks and 1600 search terms were analyzed in the study.

According to the study, New Jerseyans are obsessing over Western pork roll. This is interesting for a couple of reasons, the main one being that it's referred to as "pork roll" not "Taylor Ham." However, we won't get into that debate, even though everybody knows it's pork roll:)

Here are the top 3 food truck items in the country:

A true food truck staple, the top-searched item in America overall was tacos. From Alaska’s salmon tacos to carne asada in Arizona, they popped up 10 times on the map.

A narrow margin landed sandwiches in the #2 spot. Florida’s pick was the Cuban Sandwich, while Mississippi opted for the Alligator po-boy.

Beating out dogs, burgers, and mac n cheese, Fries came in at #3, with five instances, Virginia’s Curry Fries sound pretty good.

"All three food types are easy-to-eat food truck staples. The most popular food in 10 states and the most well-known of these street cuisines is tacos."

Something else worth mentioning is that Taco Bell is bringing back its taco subscription. You can purchase the Taco Lover’s Pass today for $10. The pass gets you one taco a day for the next 30 days.

BTW- If you really want to celebrate the day, it's also National Vodka Day!

The once-challenging quest for vegan options at fast-food restaurants has gotten a lot easier in recent years. Gone are the days of painstakingly customizing orders to suit specific dietary needs. Or worse, just having French fries and lettuce. Fast-food chains have taken significant strides in recent years, expanding their menus to offer an array of plant-based choices.

Plenty of fast-food chains have recognized the shifting dietary preferences of their customers and have embraced the challenge of providing satisfying vegan options. The evolution of vegan choices at these establishments has been impressive. From the golden arches of well-known burger joints to the cozy corners of popular sandwich shops, the vegan revolution has made its mark.

Vegans no longer have to rely solely on customizing existing meals to meet their dietary requirements. Instead, they can revel in the sheer variety that now graces the menus of fast-food chains. These establishments now proudly feature vegan burgers that sizzle and satisfy, dairy-free milkshakes, and even plant-based twists on classic comfort foods.

With an increasing number of people embracing plant-based lifestyles and seeking sustainable dining choices, the fast-food industry has risen to the occasion. These establishments understand that providing diverse options isn't just about following a trend but about fostering inclusivity and catering to many people with specific tastes and needs. So, the next time you're in a hurry and hunger strikes, rest assured that the vegan options at fast-food restaurants are not only abundant but also thoughtfully crafted to satisfy your cravings and nourish your values.

Whether you’re on a diet, dairy-free, vegetarian, or simply vegan there are fast-food places for you to grab a quick bite. Check out these fast-food vegan restaurant menu items. If you're a very strict vegan, you might consider checking with the establishment regarding any potential cross-contamination with meat products when placing your order.

According to Taco Bell, most of their products are vegan. They say to order any item "fresco style", which replaces mayo-based sauces, cheeses, and reduced-fat sour cream with freshly prepared diced tomatoes. Then, substitute the protein with black beans, refried beans, or potato bites. In June, the chain announced that they’re testing a new Vegan Crunchwrap which is meatless and dairy-free. If all goes well, you can soon see that on menus too.

For a restaurant known for its coffee, you may be surprised by the vegan options. Dunkin offers more than 20 vegan menu items, according to their site. Dunkin' features avocado toast and a selection of non-dairy milk alternatives such as oat, almond, and coconut milk to accompany your coffee. In addition to avocado toast, vegans can enjoy other choices like avocado and roasted tomato toast, a bacon avocado tomato sandwich minus the bacon, various bagels including plain, cinnamon raisin, everything, and sesame without cream cheese, an English muffin, and hash browns.

For those seeking plant-based options, Chipotle has consistently offered a reliable meal comprising rice, beans, fajita veggies, salsa, and guacamole. The year 2013 saw a transformative addition to Chipotle's menu with the introduction of vegan sofritas. This was a game-changing choice; it features flavorful spicy braised tofu. As confirmed by the restaurant chain, their sofritas option has been given the seal of approval for both vegans and vegetarians alike.

Burger King offers the Impossible Burger patty, which is widely available across their fast-food outlets nationwide. The Impossible Whopper, just like the classic version, features an Impossible patty crafted from plant-based ingredients. Both Burger King and Impossible Foods representatives informed INSIDER that, upon request, the Impossible Whopper can be prepared separately to ensure it is not cooked on the same surface used for meat products. Additionally, Burger King has begun testing Impossible chicken nuggets.