The Colonial Grill food truck has officially arrived in Hoboken, bringing its Afro Colombian spin on street food to 1 Newark Street. Known for bold flavors and a strong online following, the food truck opened its second location June 28.
The business began in Morristown in 2015, when William Valbuena left a career in hospitality to launch the food truck. His son, Kevin Valbuena, joined soon after. Since then, the father and son have built a brand with more than 400,000 followers and more than 50 million views across their social media platforms.
Kevin often films customer interactions as they order, capturing genuine reactions that have helped the truck gain traction online. Many visitors discovered The Colonial Grill through these videos and say they had been eager to try it. Some have even traveled from as far as California just for a taste.
The menu features fewer than 20 items, but each one packs a punch. Their steak and fries dish is what made the food truck go viral. It features top butt sirloin sliced over crispy hand cut fries, topped with garlic cilantro sauce and truffle chimichurri, then finished with salt, pepper and fresh chives. Before customers order, the team offers samples of fries with their signature sauces, which often seals the deal after just one bite.
Other standouts include the Cheesesteak De Maduro, layered with ribeye and sweet plantain caramelized onions. People often say it’s one of the best cheesesteaks around. The Patacon “Plantain” Burger replaces bread with crispy tostones and stacks Angus beef, melted cheese, fresh vegetables, and three house made sauces — pink sauce, garlic cilantro, and pineapple. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
The Colonial Grill food truck holds a whopping 4.9-star rating on Google, and for good reason. The team consistently earns praise for both its food and service. The father and son behind the truck are some of the nicest and hardest-working people you’ll meet. They always have a smile on their face, and it’s clear they love what they do.
Operating hours in Hoboken are still being finalized as the team adjusts to the new location. Updates will be shared on Instagram, TikTok and The Colonial Grill website.
With its arrival, The Colonial Grill adds a flavorful new chapter to Hoboken’s street food scene.
Alondra Cabrera is the Editorial Assistant at New Jersey Digest. She recently graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in Communication and Media Studies. During her time at school, she discovered her passion for journalism and content creation. In her free time, she loves to create and edit videos for her corgis, Rafi and Toffe, and indulge in culinary adventures with her friends. Alondra also enjoys traveling, cooking, and working out. She is excited to embark on her professional journey in media and looks forward to contributing her skill and creativity to her role here at New Jersey Digest.
