Food trucks gain popularity in Alpena | News, Sports, Jobs

Owners and operators of the food items trucks say they like the versatility and simplicity of procedure the trailers provide, and the reality they are much more price economical when in contrast to a brick-and-mortar cafe.

Not prolonged back, meals vehicles had been scarce in the region, and the only time they ended up open was throughout massive functions this sort of as the Fourth of July, the Alpena County Truthful, and the Michigan Brown Trout Competition.

Now, virtually every day, folks can acquire Mediterranean food items, poke (a sushi-like bowl with seafood, veggies and rice or noodles), and American fare this kind of as hamburgers and brats.

Two of the major food items trucks, Sherwood Pita Wagon and 808 Bowlz, are open from 11 a.m. till 8 p.m day by day at the new River Avenue Vault Foods Park and Bar open in the park adjacent to Red Brick Tap and Barrel on River Street. Other food stuff trucks, this kind of as Quickly Freddie’s and 32 Down below, can be found in unique areas of the metropolis, which includes community seashores and parks.

News Picture by Steve Schulwitz
The food stuff trucks around Starlite Beach front were occupied on the Fourth of July, as folks grabbed rapid meals and snacks as they celebrated the getaway.

Sherwood Pita Wagon operator Richard Fischer explained there are considerable advantages to owning a food items truck compared to a usual restaurant. He reported simply because they are smaller, moveable, and simpler to handle, they supply a lot more overall flexibility in the way they run.

“I can run a little employees and my overhead is unbelievably lower,” Fischer mentioned. “I have the expense of fuel and energy and, really, that is about all. A food truck is easier to preserve, and the upkeep is easier than it is in a setting up. I consider they are the wave of the potential.”

Foodstuff vans have been popular in other communities close to Michigan for years, and some towns have selected distinct parking tons or parks for them to open up so shoppers really do not have to operate about town to locate out in which they are, or what they have to offer in terms of food possibilities.

So much, the River Street Vault Food Park and Bar is the only spot that has committed trucks on the residence, but Fischer reported it’s possible sometime there will be other spots wherever foods vehicles can all be set up in just one region.

Fischer stated due to the fact he opened up his food stuff truck late past summertime, it was so nicely-acquired that it normally ran out of product owing to higher demand from customers. Because then, Fischer has loaded up on desired meals and used more cooking area to meet up with need. He stated organization continues to enhance at the new spot downtown, and believes as far more persons understand about his food items, it will continue on to mature.

Information Picture by Steve Schulwitz
Sherwood Pita Wagon operator Richard Fischer cooks up some meat for his pitas on Tuesday. Fischer claimed food vehicles are much more monetarily economical to operate and take care of than a cafe in a making.

It is probably that other food items vans will hit the streets in the coming decades, Fischer mentioned. He supplied new homeowners some tips on what to do to get established.

“Keep your menu modest, know your sector, and owning a fantastic site is enormous,” he said. “Keep your overhead small. You will be a smaller business enterprise, and if you permit your overhead get out of hand, you will go less than authentic rapidly.”

News Image by Steve Schulwitz
Individuals get pleasure from lunch from the food stuff vehicles at the River Road Vault Foodstuff Park and Bar in downtown Alpena on Wednesday.

News Photograph by Steve Schulwitz
Susie Austin will take the meals she ordered from Sherwood Pita Wagon on Tuesday. Food vans are turning into a common eating selection for people in Alpena.