Bet you didn’t know that it pays to be our fans on Facebook.  If you already “like” Best Travel Deals, then you know about September’s big 21-day vacation sweepstakes. Today, Melissa Zuber (an admirer of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) was announced the official winner of the contest. Her grand prize is free accommodations to 7 different  beach locations, including Orlando, Florida;  the Outer Banks, North Carolina; Myrtle Beach,  South Carolina; Charleston,  South Carolina; Hilton Head Island; South Carolina; Destin, Florida; and Edisto Island, South Carolina. Melissa also won a $500 airfare voucher good for any location. Melissa was so excited about winning the sweepstakes that she could barely speak. “I’ve only been on a plane once!” she said.

Congratulations, Melissa! We hope you enjoy your vacation. In the meantime, visit Best Travel Deals on Facebook, and stay tuned for more great giveaways.

Summer is the perfect time to explore some of our greatest National Treasures- our National Parks.  This weekend the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at more than 100 National Parks.  In addition to free entry many of the National Park Consessioners are offering specials on transportation, food, lodging and other services in the parks.  If you can’t make it to a National Park this weekend the National Park service will also offer free days on September 25th (Public Lands Day) and November 11th (Veterans Day).

With the economy floundering and discretionary income shrinking, many Americans are giving up on the notion of taking their annual family vacation. Fortunately, if you’re a wine connoisseur, you don’t have to spend a small fortune to enjoy a vacation à la Sideways, complete with fine dining, winery hopping, and wine tasting. Argentina is an up-and-coming wine lover’s destination that feels like Napa Valley did 30 years ago. The dollar goes a long way in Argentina, so you can plan an action-packed vacation in Argentine wine country on a budget.

Tips for Planning a Trip to Mendoza, the Cradle of Argentina’s Wine Industry

Mendoza is a charming, historical town with the towering, snow-capped Andes as its backdrop. The run-off from the peaks of the Andes irrigates the arid landscape.

Mendoza is only a quick one and a half hour plane ride away from Buenos Aires. The province of Mendoza is ideal for growing wine because of its soil, altitude, and geography. Mendoza is said to produce the best Malbec in the world. Malbec grapes, which were brought to Argentina from France, thrive in Mendoza’s climate.

Whether you’re a budget traveler who’s accustomed to traveling on a shoestring or a well-fed wine aficionado with a taste for five-star lodgings, you’ll find accommodations to suit your needs and tastes in Mendoza. Some popular hostels for budget travelers include Break Point, Itaka House, and Damajuana Hostel. To stay in the lap of luxury during your Mendoza getaway, book a room at the Cavas Wine Lodge, Club Tapiz Hotel, or Park Hyatt Mendoza Hotel, Casino, and Spa.

To get around Mendoza, you can rent a car, use the city buses, or custom design your own wine tour with a company like Uncorking Argentina. When you design a custom wine tour, you can mesh winery touring with other activities of interest, like golf or hiking.

If you plan on visiting wineries independently, grab the “Camino de las Bodegas” map for 30 pesos at any wine store in Mendoza. Tours at Mendoza’s wineries typically last from one hour to one and a half hours, so you’ll probably manage to visit three to four wineries in one day. Although many wineries do not require you to reserve in advance, some do, so plan ahead by calling and reserving a spot. A wine tasting room where you can get a good introduction to Mendoza wine is the Vines of Mendoza tasting room, where you can savor the best wines from all over the region.

Mendoza boasts full-bodied red wines that go particularly well with fatty cuts of meat. Some gourmet restaurants in Mendoza that you don’t want to miss include the 743 Bistro, Almacen Del Sur, 1884 Francis Mallman, and the Grill Q Parrilla Argentina at the Park Hyatt.

Taste Torrontes Wines and Bike through Desert Landscapes in Cafayate

Cafayate is a rising star in the Argentine wine scene. Located southwest of Salta city in Salta province, northwestern Argentina, Cafayate is a favorite of adventure travelers and wine aficionados alike.

The route from Salta city to Cafayate is breathtaking, as it takes you through the Quebrada de Cafayate, which boasts desert scenery reminiscent of Utah or New Mexico. In the tranquil, picturesque town of Cafayate, you can enjoy leisurely afternoon strolls or rent a bike and cycle to various wineries in the area.

Cafayate is famed for its Torrontes grapes, which are white grapes that produce a spectacular Chardonnay. Torrontes grapes do particularly well in Cafayate because of its sunny climate, cool evening temperatures, and high altitude. White wines made with Torrontes grapes are known for their intense notes of tropical fruit and flowers.

A magnificent hotel in Cafayate is the Patios de Cafayate Hotel and Spa, which has been rated as one of the top 10 wine spas worldwide. A former colonial estate, Patios de Cafayate is on the same grounds as the El Esteco winery. Treatments at the hotel’s spa incorporate ingredients like wine, carob, quinoa, and cactus.

And no visitor to Cafayate should leave without tasting wine ice cream! Cafayate’s wine ice cream, a distinctly Argentine treat, comes in robust flavors, like Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Whether you want to kick back and admire the beauty of the great outdoors, window shop on 5th Avenue, or perfect your swing at a scenic golf course this Father’s Day weekend, check out these 7 terrific travel deals based in the US.

1. Get a $25 Active Duty Military Discount on Any Room at Our Hearts Inn B&B, Colorado Springs

Fathers who are active duty military members will receive a $25 discount on any room at Our Hearts Inn B&B in Colorado Springs this Father’s Day weekend. Fathers who are retired military will receive a $20 discount on any room at the B&B. Regular nightly rates at Our Hearts Inn range from $95 to $140. Visit www.inn-colorado-springs.com and mention the discount while making your reservation to take advantage of this offer.

2. Dads Ride Free on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

When accompanied by a family member, dads ride free on the Cumbres & Toltec scenic railroad on the Colorado-New Mexico border this Father’s Day weekend (June 18-20). This offer includes the train ride and lunch. The railroad has terminals in Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. Call 1-888-CUMBRES or click here for more details.

3. Free Admission on June 20th, 2010 to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Cañon City, Colorado

Dads get free admission to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Cañon City, Colorado on June 20th, 2010. Walking or driving across the Royal Gorge Bridge, America’s highest suspension bridge, is nothing short of an awe-inspiring experience.

4. Enjoy a Father and Son Campout at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs on June 19th

Want to enjoy some father and son bonding time? On June 19th, the Cheyenne Zoo in Colorado Springs is organizing a father and son “campout” from 6pm to 8am, which includes a hearty dinner and tour of the zoo . The campout costs $60.50 per pair and $25.25 per additional child. Click here or call (719) 633-9125 for more information.

5. Play Golf and Stay in Lakeview Accommodations at the Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho on Father’s Day weekend for $399

If dad enjoys golf and the outdoors, why not treat him to an unforgettable weekend getaway at the historic Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho? The “It’s All about Dad” Father’s Day package at the Shore Lodge is available from June 18-20 and includes lake view accommodations for two nights, a round of golf at the Whitetail Club, and complimentary brunch for dad on Father’s Day. The package costs $399 and does not include taxes or resort fees. One dad per package is allowed. For more information about this package, click here.

6. Spend a Luxurious Father’s Day Weekend at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City for $499

This Father’s Day weekend, you can enjoy a relaxing getaway at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City for only $499. This offer is valid through December 30, 2010. The package includes one night’s accommodation for two in one of the hotel’s luxurious guest rooms, a bottle of champagne, dinner at the fyve Restaurant Lounge, a keepsake, and complimentary parking. Tax and gratuities are included in the package, but alcoholic drinks are not.

Each couple that books this weekend package will automatically be entered into a drawing which will take place on December 31, 2010 for a vacation at the Ritz-Carlton in Sanya, China. For more information about this Ritz-Carlton Father’s Day vacation special, click here.

7. Save 20% at the Andaz Wall Street Hotel in the Heart of New York City

For stays of three nights or longer at the Andaz Wall Street hotel over Father’s Day weekend, you’ll receive a 20% discount off of room rates, two signature cocktails at Bar Seven Five, two 15-minute spa treatments at the SPA, and an exclusive tour of the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, June 18. This offer is valid from June 17-21, and rates begin at $200 per night.

The Andaz Wall Street hotel, which opened in January 2010, is located in the Financial District and serves as the ideal jumping off point for visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. For more information about this Father’s Day weekend deal, click here.

Got a Droid cell phone? We’ve blogged about iPhone travel apps, but we know that there are also many Droid users out there who are craving travel-related apps. Here are 10 free Droid apps that you can download the next time you hit the road.

1. Talk to Me

If you’re traveling to a foreign country and don’t feel like spending time and money studying the language, check out the Talk to Me Android app, a real-time speech translator. Just say something in English and the translator will say the words back to you in your language of choice. There’ll be no more fumbling around with a phrasebook and making a fool out of yourself abroad with this app at your side.

2. Where

Where is an awesome, value-packed app that could probably replace multiple travel apps on your Droid. Where tracks your location via GPS and gives you information such as the local weather forecast, coupons, gas prices, news, movie show times, and more. It even has a Starbucks locator for all you Java heads.

3. Cab4me

There’s no need to shout, whistle, or flail your arms to hail a cab anymore. Simply download the Cab4me app to your Droid, pick a location on the map where you’d like for the cab to pick you up, and then call one of the cab companies on the list tab.

4. Trip Journal

Ditch the ancient practice of paper journaling and opt for Droid’s Trip Journal app to save space and keep loved ones up to date while you’re on the road. Trip Journal app allows you to document your travel experiences and share them with family and friends. You can track your travel route, save photos of your trip, attach notes, and more.

5. iNap

Do you fear taking naps on the bus or train because you’re worried that you won’t wake up when you arrive at your final destination? The iNap app eliminates those fears, using GPS and an alarm system to wake you up when you reach your stop.

6. Car Locator

When you take a road trip to a new city, it’s easy to forget where you parked. To avoid spending hours wandering around parking lots looking for your car, download the Car Locator app to your Droid.

This app uses GPS to save the location of your car anytime you park. It also features a parking time alarm so you can avoid those pesky parking tickets. The free version of the Car Locator expires after 25 runs, but the paid version only costs $1.99.

7. Wikitude Premium AR Guide

The Wikitude Premium Augmented Reality Guide uses Google maps, GPS, and Wikipedia to provide a broad range of information about destinations you visit. It will tell you where public transportation, restaurants, and sites of interest are located and display the information on a map or on your phone’s camera display.

8. ConvertMe

One of the more confusing parts about traveling abroad is deciphering measurements. To avoid mixing up clothing sizes, currency exchange rates, distances, and more, use the ConvertMe app to keep track of all those mind-boggling conversions.

9. Langtolang Dictionary

Carrying a dictionary around with you on a trip can be a pain, especially if you’re traveling to multiple countries. The Langtolang Dictionary app is a convenient, multilingual dictionary that translates to and from English. Supported languages include Japanese, Portuguese, Greek, Hebrew, and Albanian, to name a few.

10. StayHIP

Tired of staying in cookie-cutter chain hotels? Download the StayHIP app to your Droid so you can search for hip, boutique hotels with an intimate atmosphere wherever you happen to be.

Buenos Aires is on any savvy traveler’s radar, but Salta is a hidden in gem in northwestern Argentina that you may or may not have heard of already. An up-and-coming travel destination and one of Argentina’s largest provinces, Salta boasts diverse terrain and a thriving wine country. Salta City, the capital of Salta province, is a charming, sophisticated city that boasts colonial architecture, outstanding museums, myriad parks, and European-style street side cafés.

Salta’s very safe in comparison to other South American cities and it is affordable to boot. You can eat a giant, juicy steak for well under $10, and there are accommodations available to suit just practically any budget. After exploring the cobbled streets of Salta la Linda (Salta the Beautiful), you’ll quickly recognize why the city has earned such a flattering nickname.

When to Go

The city of Salta is situated in a warm valley. Salta’s weather is temperate throughout the year because of its altitude (1200m). Try to avoid visiting Salta during July and August, however, because it gets very crowded with international tourists as well as Argentinians on winter vacation.

Other times of the year that you should avoid visiting Salta include January and February (summer vacation), Semanta Santa (Holy Week), and Christmas. The shoulder seasons of October to November and April to May are the best times to visit Salta because the weather is pleasant and there are virtually no crowds.

Here are 10 more tips for traveling to Salta, Argentina that will help you maximize your enjoyment of this enchanting city.

1. Taste the traditional foods of northwest Argentina

Much of northwestern Argentina’s traditional fare reflects its indigenous roots. Regional culinary specialties you can’t miss include locro, a hearty stew made with lentils, lamb meat, and spices, humitas, steamed corn cakes with cheese in a corn leaf wrapping, and empandas salteñas, small, baked turnovers containing meat or cheese.

2. Take the cable car to the top of Cerro San Bernardo

To enjoy panoramic views of Salta and the lush, green mountains that surround the city, take the teleferico, or cable car, to the top of Cerro San Bernardo. Once you reach the top, you can sip on coffee or tea at the café while enjoying the stunning views.

3. Watch a folkloric performance in Balcarce

Balcarce is Salta’s nightlife district, where you can watch the traditional folkloric performances that make Salta famous. La Vieja Estación is one of the top folkloric performance venues in the Balcarce district. Another famous and authentic folkloric performance venue in Salta is La Casona del Molino, where the performers go from table to table rather than perform on stage.

4. Ride the Tren a las Nubes, the third highest railway in the world

The Tren a las Nubes, or Train to the Clouds, is a train service that runs from April to November. The train travels from Salta to La Polvorilla, which is located 13,845 feet above sea level. The round trip journey takes 15 hours and allows visitors to admire the region’s stunning mountain landscapes and occasionally stop to explore quaint Andean villages.

5. See Inca mummies at the High Mountain Archaeological Museum (MAAM)

This controversial museum is a must-see for anyone visiting Salta. It displays the mummy of an Incan child from a sacred burial site that a National Geographic team excavated in 1999. Child sacrifice was a common practice in pre-Columbian cultures. Although three bodies were found at the site, only one mummy is displayed at a time at the museum. Several indigenous groups tried to prevent the children’s remains from going on display, but failed in their attempts.

6. Buy souvenirs at the Mercado Artesanal (Artisan Market)

Housed in a beautiful colonial building, the Artisan Market of Salta sells some of the best local arts, crafts, and traditional sweets at low prices. Artisan goods you can find at the market include alfajores (sweet cookie sandwich with a caramel filling), ponchos, blankets, purses, jewelry, and gourds for drinking yerba mate tea.

7. Sink your teeth into a tender, juicy steak for a fraction of what it would cost elsewhere

Beef is a staple in the Argentine diet and no omnivore’s trip to Salta is complete without savoring a large, tender steak. Anywhere else in the world, the kind of steak you can get in Salta would easily cost you up to 10 times more. Restaurants in Salta where you can count on getting a high quality steak include El Solar del Convento, Viejo Jack, and La Monumental.

8. Spend a Sunday afternoon in the 9 de Julio Square

The 9 de Julio Square is Salta’s main square where many a resident spends his Sunday afternoon. Enjoy sipping an espresso on one of the street side cafes, take a stroll in the park, relax on a bench and people watch, or buy a bag of dry corn from one of the park’s vendors to feed the pigeons. The 9 de Julio Square is an ideal spot for relishing the leisurely pace of life in Salta.

9. View holy relics at the ornate Salta Cathedral in the 9 de Julio Square

Salta attracts many religious tourists because of the abundance of Catholic churches and festivals there. Home to Salta’s most important holy relics, the pink Salta Cathedral was constructed in 1858, after the first cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake. Two of the statues used in Salta’s annual procession (Cristo del Milagro), which is held to protect the city from earthquakes, are housed in this church.

10. Hike, bike, and admire the flora and fauna of the cloud forest in neighboring San Lorenzo

In Salta, the wild is only a 10 minute taxi ride away in San Lorenzo, a charming village nestled in the cloud forest that is ideal for hiking and biking. There are several affordable lodges and cabins for rent in the area, where you can go to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Are you curious about going camping but don’t want to invest a whole lot of time, resources, and money planning a camping excursion?

Even as a first-time camper, you can enjoy a smooth-running camping trip with minimal planning and preparation. Keep these tips and tactics in mind if you’d like to load your family in the car, drive to a campsite within a two-hour radius of home, and pitch a tent for the weekend.

Get Your Gear Together

The first thing you have to do is determine what gear you’ll need for your trip. If you don’t want to buy your own camping gear, rent gear from a local outdoor gear store or borrow gear from a friend who’s a seasoned camper.

Before your trip, try setting up all of your camping gear in your backyard first to ensure that you know how everything works. Setting up a tent can be especially challenging for first-time campers.

Some basic camping gear that you’ll need includes:

• Shelter (a tent, RV, or cabin)
• Sleeping bags and pads
• Cooking supplies
• First-aid kit
• Toiletries
• Rain ponchos

It’s a good idea to create a checklist of all the gear and food you’ll need for your trip so you don’t forget anything.

Research Campgrounds in Your Area

You can choose between public and private campgrounds. Public campgrounds are typically located in scenic, protected areas, such as parks, forests, landmarks, and wilderness areas. Private campgrounds are usually privately-owned RV parks or campground resorts, such as the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone campground.

To find a campground in your area, ask friends and family for recommendations and do some online research. Because it will be your first time camping, stay in a campground that’s not too far from town. Most first-time campers start out as car campers, or campers who camp alongside a vehicle containing all of their camping supplies.

Be sure to reserve a campsite at your preferred campground by telephone or on the internet to secure a spot. The last thing you want is to show up at the campground, only to find out that all of the campsites are occupied. Making reservations is particularly important before busy holidays like the 4th of July and Memorial Day.

Set up Camp

The first thing you have to do when you reach the campground is register at the campground’s office. Information that you typically have to provide at registration includes the number of campers, your license plate number, and the length of your intended stay.

Before setting up your tent, make sure to find a piece of flat, elevated ground, so if it rains, rainwater flows away from your tent rather than into it. Avoid setting up your tent on a slope to prevent yourself from having an uncomfortable night’s sleep.

In addition, make sure that your tent is far enough away from the fire pit so sparks from the campfire can’t reach it. You may also want to bring a tough sheet of plastic with you so you can protect your tent’s sewn in groundsheet in case you have to camp on rough ground.

Things to Do on Your Camping Trip

You’ve pitched your tent and everything’s good to go… so, what comes next? Camping might seem boring if you’ve never done it before, but see it as an opportunity to get off the couch, away from the TV, and away from your smart phone to enjoy a truly relaxing getaway removed from the stresses and complications of daily life.

Camping lets you enjoy life’s simpler pleasures. Private campground resorts typically feature amenities like a pool, recreation center, and sporting equipment, so you can find plenty of ways to stay busy. But if you decide to camp out at a state or national park, you might find that there is little more than nature to enjoy.

At more rustic campgrounds, you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and fishing. But if you just want to kick back and relax on your camping trip, you surely won’t regret it if you spend your days and nights admiring the picturesque surroundings, taking deep breaths of fresh air, sitting by the warm, crackling campfire, looking up at the stars, or listening to the sounds of birds chirping. Ah, the delights of camping.

Have you ever been camping before? What do you think people should know before embarking on their very first camping trip? Please share your suggestions in the comments!

All of us at BestTravelDeals.net hope you will join us today in honoring all of those who have lost their lives serving our country.  And to those currently serving at home and abroad we thank you for your service.

San Francisco, is a diverse, sophisticated city, so it’s no surprise that there are events of many flavors taking place this Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.

Whether you want to honor our nation’s deceased veterans at a historical ceremony or you want to dance the weekend away, make sure to check out this list of top 10 things to do in San Francisco this Memorial Day weekend.

1. Presidio Ceremony

The Presidio Ceremony is a Memorial Day tradition in San Francisco. The ceremony kicks off on Monday, May 31st at 10:30am with a parade at Montgomery and Sheridan streets. The event draws more than 2000 people, making it one of the largest Memorial Day events in the country.

The ceremony officially begins at 11am at Presidio’s National Cemetery. After the ceremony is completed, park rangers and volunteers take people on free tours of the cemetery. More than 35,000 veterans and their dependents are buried at this cemetery.

2. San Francisco Carnaval

The largest multi-cultural celebration in California, the San Francisco Carnaval boasts live music, artistry, food, and dance from cultures around Latin America and the Caribbean. If you want to party in style this Memorial Day weekend while learning more about the colorful heritage and cultural traditions from this region of the world, don’t miss the San Francisco Carnaval. It’s free of charge and will take place on Saturday, May 29, from 10am to 6pm on Harrison Street.

3. Lost Boat Memorial at the USS Pampanito

The USS Pampanito is a WWII submarine located in Fisherman’s Wharf. The Lost Boat Memorial takes place at the USS Pampanito at 5pm on Monday, May 31st. This famed ceremony honors the lost sailors of the United States Navy Submarine Service. It is free of charge and is followed with an echo taps performance.

4. Free Opera at Dolores Park

At Dolores Park, which is located on 18th and Dolores Streets in San Francisco, you can enjoy a free, live opera performance on Sunday, May 30 at 2pm. So, gather your friends and family together, grab a bottle of wine, and pack some cheese, crackers, and olives to enjoy a relaxing picnic while listening to great music in a beautiful setting.

5. Civil War Battles and Encampment

If you’re willing to take a road trip on Memorial Day weekend, visit the Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton to witness the reenactments of Civil War battles and view replicas of encampments belonging to Union and Confederate soldiers. The event only costs $5 a person and it’s a fun, educational way to commemorate the history of our nation.

For a cheap place to stay while you’re enjoying Memorial Day weekend, find a San Francisco Hotel Deal.

Street food, once a run-of-the-mill cuisine reserved for tourists and hungry passerby looking for a snack to hold them over till mealtime, has come a long way since its inception. No longer is street food limited to pizza slices, pretzels, and hot dogs. You can now get a full-fledged, gourmet meal on wheels in cities throughout the US, thanks to the rising popularity of food trucks.

The food truck trend started to get national attention after Kogi BBQ, an L.A. food truck, started using Twitter to attract a large following. Kogi BBQ serves up Mexican/Korean fusion fare, like kimchi quesadillas and Korean BBQ-filled tacos. The food truck trend doesn’t stop at Kogi BBQ, however. Here are 5 lesser-known food trucks that are taking the country by storm with their affordable, unique offerings.

1. Big Gay Ice Cream Truck – New York, New York

On a hot day in New York City, nothing is more refreshing than ice cream served by a friendly gay guy. The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck serves up your usual soft serve, but complete with unusual toppings like Trix cereal, caramelized bacon, olive oil and sea salt, and wasabi peas. Find out where the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck is parked on your next outing in New York City by visiting their website or following them on Twitter.

2. Lomo Arigato – Los Angeles, California

Lomo Arigato is another food truck pioneer in the Asian/Latin fusion genre. Owned and operated by a second generation Japanese-American, the Lomo Arigato food truck is a converted FedEx truck that serves up Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. Their most popular dish is saltado, which consists of beef, chicken, or tofu stir-fried with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Sides include French fries with a soy and red wine sauce, fried noodles, and fried rice.

To find out where the Lomo Arigato food truck is located the next time you’re craving a hot lunch in L.A., check out the Lomo Arigato website or keep tabs on the truck on Twitter.

3. The Crème Brûlée Cart – San Francisco, California

If you happen to be in San Francisco and want to satisfy your sweet tooth, don’t miss a visit to The Crème Brûlée Cart. No longer is it necessary to dine in an upscale, sit-down restaurant to enjoy the fine French dessert of Crème Brûlée. The Crème Brûlée Cart is a one-man shop that serves Créme Brûlée in unique flavors like frosted flakes, lavender, coffee, and s’mores. The Crème Brûlée Cart doesn’t have a website, so the only way you can find out where it’s hanging out is by following it on Twitter.

4. Latin Burger and Taco – Miami, Florida

Latin Burger and Taco is a black and pink truck that doesn’t quite have the “rags to riches” aura that other food trucks do. This hip food truck reached celebrity status because it was created by celebrities, namely the Food Network and cooking show Simply Delicioso’s host, Ingrid Hoffman. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll even see Ingrid in person when you pick up a burger, as she makes occasional appearances at the truck.

The menu is an Ingrid Hoffman creation that consists of gourmet burgers and tacos made with fresh ingredients. According to Yelp reviews, the tacos aren’t worth even an honorable mention, but the burgers are out of this world. One of the Latin Burger and Taco’s most popular burgers it the Latin Macho, a hearty burger made with chorizo, chuck, and sirloin and topped with jalapeños, Oaxaca cheese, caramelized onion, and red pepper or avocado sauce. Find out where the truck is stopped by following it on Twitter or checking out its website.

5. Fojol Bros. of Merlindia – Washington D.C.

The Fojol Brothers of Merlindia… you’ll either love them or hate them. Their colorful truck blasts music loudly and serves up spicy, Indian-style food from a fictional land called Merlindia. The Fojol Brothers call their truck a culinary carnival and they live up to their word, donned in elaborate costumes and fake mustaches.

These wild twenty-somethings serve fresh vegetarian and meat-based dishes like spinach and cheese, buttered chicken, lentils, and garlic ribbons. They also sell lassipops, which are ice pops made of different flavors of lassi. Learn more about the “Fojol Folosophy” at their website or watch the culinary carnival in action the next time you’re in DC by keeping up with the Fojols on Twitter.