Sun City BBQ at Top BBQ Food Truck at Buddy’s Beer Barn on the Eastside
The Sun City BBQ food truck at Buddy’s Beer Barn, 10150 Montana Ave., serves brisket, sandwiches and macaroni and cheese by the pound. Open Thursday-Saturday.
Food truck operators in Texas will no longer need to obtain separate licenses in every city or county in which they operate under a new statewide licensing system that goes into effect in July.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced that it has opened applications for new statewide licenses for mobile food vendors, including food trucks, pushcarts, and street vendors.
This change is based on House Bill 2844, passed in 2025, which eliminates the need for vendors to obtain separate licenses in each local jurisdiction. Under the new law, all mobile food vendors must obtain a DSHS license and operate by July 1, 2026.
“Our goal is to make this transition period as smooth as possible for our vendors, their customers, and the local governments that previously granted licenses,” said Timothy Stevenson, DSHS Deputy Director for Consumer Protection. “Current mobile food vendors will be able to continue operating after July 1, provided they have submitted a complete application for a DSHS license, including payment of the required fees.”
According to DSHS, if a mobile food vendor passes a pre-licensing inspection, the department will issue a new license valid for one year from the date of the inspection. Vendors must keep a hard copy of their existing local license, DSHS application summary, and payment receipt on site at all times until they receive a new DSHS license.
DSHS said it will prioritize inspections because new mobile food vendors without an existing license cannot operate until they pass inspection. The ministry also noted that while the ministry is responsible for licensing and enforcement under the new law, most inspections will be conducted under agreements with local jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, DSHS said vendors must continue to comply with all applicable state and local laws.
Potential licensees can find detailed information about mobile food vendor operating requirements, MFV categories, licensing processes, fees, and inspection checklists in the DSHS Mobile Food Vendor Guide (dshs.texas.gov/foodestablishments/mobile-food-vendor-guide.pdf).
Individuals can begin applying for a license through the online system at dshs.texas.gov/retail-food-establishments/mobile-food-vendors.
