Stef is an eleven-year-old middle schooler who loves art and relies on it to communicate her feelings. As the daughter of Mexican American immigrants, she often feels smothered by her parents' overprotective rules and worries about fitting in with her peers. She desperately wants to attend a pop concert to prove her maturity while simultaneously trying to distance herself from the family's taco truck.

Julia is a popular seventh-grader who used to be close friends with Stef. She enjoys the social status that comes with having more apparent freedom from her parents and front-row tickets to a highly anticipated concert. She frequently mocks Stef's connection to the family food truck, creating friction in their social circle.

Stef's father is a Mexican American immigrant who operates the family food truck to support his household. Cooking provides him with a sense of comfort and purpose, though he constantly worries about financial stability and proposed city regulations that threaten his business. He holds traditional values and enforces strict rules because he fears for his daughter's safety in a country that still sometimes feels unfamiliar to him.

Amanda is a steady and self-assured middle schooler who plays soccer and values honesty. Coming from a household that encourages open communication, she enjoys more freedom than some of her peers and feels comfortable speaking her mind. She provides a grounding presence when social pressures mount at school.

Arthur is a confident and easygoing student who embraces his unique qualities rather than hiding them. He has specific food allergies but manages them without embarrassment, happily accepting custom meals prepared by Stef's father. He maintains his own interests, like his specific taste in music, regardless of whether others consider them cool.

Tía Perla is the Soto family's aging food truck. Purchased years ago as a step toward opening a permanent restaurant, the vehicle represents the family's financial hopes and cultural heritage. Its strong smells and visible wear cause social friction for Stef, though the truck serves as the central hub of the family's daily life.

Viviana Vega is a massively popular musical artist whose upcoming local concert becomes the central focus of the seventh-grade class. Her presence in town creates a frenzy among the students, representing the ultimate symbol of independence and social status for those who can secure tickets.

Stef's mother immigrated to the United States as a teenager and still occasionally struggles to feel completely secure in her community. She shares her husband's protective instincts, often keeping a close watch on her daughter's activities. She values the stability the food truck provides and expects her family to show gratitude for it.

Maddie is a student in the seventh-grade class who spends time with the more popular social group. She participates in school events and generally follows the social lead of her peers, occasionally getting involved in classroom rumors.