This Triangle-based food truck is among the best in the country, Yelp says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Merkato Cafe ranks on Yelp’s 2025 Top 100 Food Trucks for second straight year.
- The Triangle-based truck is North Carolina’s only representative on the list.
- Customers praise Ethiopian menu, friendly service and locally sourced ingredients.
A Cary-based food truck has once again earned national acclaim, securing a place on Yelp’s recently published Top 100 Food Trucks list.
The Merkato Cafe Ethiopian Food Truck, a staple of multicultural flavor and hospitality, is the only North Carolina entry on the list — a distinction it also held in 2024 when it ranked among the top 30 food trucks in the U.S. and Canada.
Best food trucks in the Triangle
The Merkato Cafe’s success reflects broader trends highlighted in Yelp’s rankings: high-quality food inspired by global cuisines and friendly, personalized customer service. According to Yelp, “Yelpers prioritize quality in food and hospitality,” and Merkato’s owner-chefs regularly engage customers, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
“The owner was so kind and more than happy to answer any questions,” a Yelp reviewer wrote April 28. “If you see this truck, definitely stop.” Numerous Yelp customers praised the Ethiopian dishes and family‑run service.
The News & Observer reached out to The Merkato Cafe but did not hear back by publication.
Merkato Cafe menu
Merkato Cafe offers a menu featuring traditional Ethiopian offerings, including lentil stews, plates served with injera and sambusas.
In last year’s top 100 list, Yelp users raved about the food truck’s Ethiopian dishes, which many said had the right spice level. Several loved the injera, a bread the restaurant makes with grains from the teff plant, which is native to parts of East Africa.
The food truck highlights its use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and caters to a variety of dietary preferences, with many dishes that are gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly.
Best food trucks in US
Here are the best 10 food trucks in the country, according to Yelp:
- Tony’s Catch, Kapa’a, Hawaii
- Jim’s Smokehouse, Austin, Texas
- Taco Libre, Koloa, Hawaii
- Jojo’s Hot Chicken, San Jose, California
- La Jalisciense, Santa Nella, California
- La Piñata Taqueria, Vallejo, California
- Capitol Burger, Torrey, Utah
- T-Loc’s Sonora Hot Dogs, Austin, Texas
- Mike’s BBQ 101, Key Largo, Florida
- Nico’s Burgers, Los Angeles, California
How to visit Merkato Cafe
The truck travels throughout the Triangle, posting its daily location on Facebook and StreetFoodFinder.
To see full list of food trucks go to yelp.com/article/top-100-food-trucks-2025.
Staff writer Simone Jasper contributed to this story.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 8:00 AM.