Good Truckin’ continues to impress in new Old Town digs

By GABRIELLE LAWRENCE

I have always admired entrepreneurs — the hustle, the vision, the ability to brush yourself off after something unexpected happens and keep forging ahead. These are characteristics I envy and will try to instill in my children. 

Good Truckin’, one of my favorite locally owned eateries, has morphed from a food truck to a small diner in REO Town to a much-expanded full-service spot in Old Town. And that’s an evolution I can get behind. 

The food at Good Truckin’ isn’t boring, and neither are the names. I don’t know who the creative genius is behind dishes such as Mutha Clucka Jones (an omelet with chicken), Emily’s Stoopid Sandwich (a fully loaded sandwich with chorizo, eggs, red pepper aioli and more) and Clockwork Orange (avocado toast with orange-infused agave), but please accept a serious hat tip from both myself and my children, who were extremely entertained while trying to guess what would be in each dish. 

Speaking of the junior Lawrences, they inhaled their chocolate chip pancakes ($12.50) so quickly that we ordered another plateful. The pancakes had crispy edges — a must for their young, discerning palates — and the syrup was plentiful. My daughter tore herself away from building skyscrapers with the tiny containers of half-and-half and jelly, a feat in and of itself. 

I ordered the Bourbon Street French toast ($14) to share, knowing that if I attempted to eat the entire thing, the decadence would overwhelm me. My children balked at the idea of bananas on French toast but immediately changed their tune when the dish came to the table. This was dessert of the highest order, disguised as a normal meal. 

I have always loved French toast — the pillowy, comforting, carby perfection of it — and I have tried to educate my kids on how the dish is supposed to be served, as opposed to the French toast sticks they’ve been given at school and camps. Good Truckin’s French toast moved that goal forward for me, and after the kids’ initial hesitation, they hammered the dish to the point that I was lucky to sneak in three bites. 

I rounded out my breakfast with the Kevin Bacon L.T. ($7), thick avocado toast topped with an egg (I had mine “basted”), crumbled bacon and sliced baby tomatoes. The dish is supposed to include arugula, but the restaurant was out, which was a shame. The richness of the dish would have paired well with the bite from the arugula I’m sure. 

On a return visit for lunch, I chose the Baja street tacos ($11). I love pickled red onions, and the combination of shrimp, queso fresco, pico and lime crema made for a light and refreshing option (inasmuch as a taco can be light and refreshing, of course). My vegetarian companion chose the Cali tacos ($11) and loved the incredibly flavorful combination of refried beans, sliced avocado, queso fresco, pickled red onions, lime crema and cilantro. I would choose these next time, as they looked outrageously fresh and delicious. 

By BRYAN BEVERLY

If you read my October 2021 review, you know I was a fan of Good Truckin’ Diner back when it was holding court in REO Town. 

In 2025, the diner moved to Turner Street in Old Town. This wasn’t just a change of address — it’s more like Good Truckin’ traded in its compact car for an SUV. The new space is noticeably larger, giving the restaurant room to spread out and breathe.

The familiar Good Truckin’ Diner is still at the heart of the operation, but now there’s “The Other Side,” a coffee shop that gives you another reason to stop by. This addition makes the space feel less like someplace you visit for a meal and more like a neighborhood gathering spot where you can grab coffee, meet someone, work or simply sit around long enough to convince yourself that ordering another thing is a good idea.

Then there are the adult beverages. This is important, because sometimes a place that serves breakfast all day deserves the opportunity to pour you something stronger than coffee. The addition of alcohol gives Good Truckin’ a whole new personality. You can now go from pancakes and coffee to burgers and drinks without having to change addresses. It expands the possibilities for happy hours, early dinners and celebrations.

Of course, the reason Good Truckin’ earned a following in the first place was the food. My visits to the REO Town location produced some memorable bites, including the gloriously excessive Big Kahuna hoagie, containing steak, bacon, grilled pineapple and jalapeño cream cheese. In other words, restraint was clearly not a consideration.

That’s what has always made Good Truckin’ fun. It doesn’t seem particularly interested in being ordinary. From food truck beginnings to REO Town diner to a much larger Old Town destination, Good Truckin’ continues to evolve without losing the quirky, creative spirit that made people fall in love with it in the first place. 

What’s good

The Bypass burrito ($13) is aptly named for the fixings inside the stuffed tortilla: bacon, ham, eggs, cheese, shredded potatoes, peppers and onions. If that isn’t enough to make the health-conscious wary, this beast is smothered with sausage gravy, which needs another layer of flavor for my taste. Overall, this is a satisfying dish that benefits from the side of seasoned home fries, which offer a crispy textural contrast. 

What’s really good

The Bourbon Street French toast ($14) is a sweet tooth’s dream. Thick-cut Texas toast is dressed with cinnamon and sugar, topped with slices of caramelized banana, bathed in a rich rum sauce and drizzled with sweet cream cheese. If you’re thinking about a trip to the dentist just reading this, imagine taking a bite. Gratefully, three strips of thick bacon help to cut the sweetness.

The Kevin Bacon L.T. ($7) avocado toast is large and in charge. Smashed avocado, chopped bacon, blistered baby tomatoes and arugula are served atop a thick slice of Texas toast. The light yet zesty olive oil dressing provides a nice tang. 

Best bite

I’ll be honest, I don’t remember the name of the rotating breakfast special ($16) I had last month while brunching with some high school classmates. But the flavors will stick with me for a long while. Two light and fluffy corn muffins are topped with fried eggs, beans, chorizo, salsa, green onions and crema. This symphony of savoriness is what’s possible when you’re open to stepping outside the box. I’d order this again and again, but I’ll have to ask for the name of it first.

Read past City Pulse articles on Good Truckin’ Diner:

Good Truckin’ Diner and Detroit Frankie’s make a wonderful combo

Good Truckin’ Diner: Next level waffle

Good Truckin’ is better than ever

Good Truckin’s other side now its own shop