The Food Truck Scholar – Details, episodes & analysis

ABOUT THE SHOW
It’s been a minute since the last episode dropped, so we are coming in hot!

Today’s guest is Marcus Crawford, co founder and co owner of Bro-ritos. Selected by Parade as one of the top Black owned eateries in the country, Bro-ritos is an award winning brand that started with a food truck and later its first brick and mortar restaurant location serving the NJ and NYC area

Marcus stopped by the show to share with us some of his cheat codes to success that include financial capital, branding, social media and growth strategies

BRO-RITOS
Website: https://www.broritosfoodtruck.com/


SEASON 4 SPONSOR
BGT Gifts
Website: https://bgtgifts.com/

Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon. 

Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon. 

ABOUT THE SHOW
While many people love food trucks, it’s important not to romanticize their relationship with residents, urban planners, and city officials. Over the years, I’ve researched cities that haven’t found a way to properly position food trucks in a way that supports small business owners, the families they support, and the community that supports them.

Today’s guest is Jordan Rubin owner of Mr. Tuna a wildly popular food truck has seen business grow in the midst of the pandemic, but has now seen revenue drop dramatically after he and other food trucks found themselves kicked out of well visited food truck spot after city officials decided to hold a food truck lottery. fighting to support his staff and his business along with other veteran food trucks, we discuss the role residents and city officials play in establishing and protecting a city’s food truck culture.

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Jordan Rubin is the co-owner of Crispy Gai and chef-owner of Mr. Tuna and the forthcoming Bar Futo — all located in downtown Portland, ME. Jordan has always been drawn to Japanese cuisine and has spent his 20-year career working in some of the top sushi bars across New England, including the famed Uni Sashimi Bar in Boston, where he worked and learned from the notable chef and restaurateur Ken Oringer for an indelible span of three years. 

Ready to venture out on his own, Jordan opened the first sushi food cart on the East Coast in 2017, Mr. Tuna. A year and a couple of food trucks later, he opened Portland’s first-hand roll bar in Monument Square and Mr. Tuna’s brick-and-mortar outpost in the Public Market House. July 2021 brought about the opening of Jordan’s latest endeavor, Crispy Gai, a Thai-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of downtown Portland.

Jordan is best known for his creative take on sushi hand rolls using traditional techniques and unexpected flavors, with an emphasis on local seafood. He can generally be found behind the sushi bar at Mr. Tuna or rolling up temaki on his food truck at the Eastern Promenade. Jordan and his concepts have received national recognition from Bon Appetit, Bloomberg, and Thrillist as a trailblazer on the Portland dining scene. Up next, Jordan is opening a Japanese-inspired bar and grill, dubbed Bar Futo

SHOW SPONSOR
Thank you to BGT Gifts for being our Season 4 Sponsor!

Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon. 

About The Show
Well y’all we have come to the season 3 finale…can you believe it?! I have so much gratitude for everything that has happened this season and today I share some of those moments with you. From reflecting on highlights of the year, to sharing new products and initiatives, to updates on my academic progress, and what to look forward to in season 4, it’s an exciting time!

CYBER MONDAY SALE
New Book by The Food Truck Scholar- "Before You Launch A Food Truck"
Ebook PDF
Paperback
Kindle

After traveling the country meeting and interviewing about 500 food trucks in the past 5 years through The Food Truck Scholar Podcast and academic research, Ariel D. Smith has compiled an abundance of information regarding the food truck industry from menu creation and marketing, to maintenance and regulations. One of the things she discovered over the years is that aspiring food truckers either do not have enough information or are overwhelmed with information and no clue where to start. Ariel designed this book to be the first touchpoint on your food truck journey. If you're in multiple online groups and reading big books about food trucks and feeling lost, pause for a moment, pick up this trimmer. What's best about "Before You Launch A Food Truck" is that it is designed for you to reflect before taking action. Once you have reflected on and answered the questions provided (pages to take notes on each section included!), feel free to jump back into the other resources you're using to birth your food truck dreams!

Season 3 Truck Level Sponsors
Eatokra
EatOkra is where food, culture, and community link. Supporting Black owned restaurants and food trucks just got easier! Download the EatOkra app today.

Sponsor The Show
Need to get the word out about your product or service to food truckers? Consider becoming a sponsor for season 4!

FREE Checklist: 7 Things To Do If You're Looking for a Food Truck Builder

Join Our Mailing List

Social Media
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Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon. 

Chef Dante tells how being a chef and food truck owner has made a difference in his life personally and professionally, gives us a sneak peek into what his daily grind looks like, provides insight on health and inspection scoring, and gives advice for other entrepreneurs that you don’t want to miss.

Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon. 

We start by saying RIP to Nipsey Hussle, who was a huge supporter and influence on west coast chefs and food truck owners. Our guest today is Chef Jazz, the owner of Shees Cooking Food Truck LLC in Atlanta, GA. Chef Jazz shares with Ariel The Food Truck Scholar how she got started, advice for aspiring food truck owners, and how the food truck is just one of many tools she uses to inspire young girls and women.

Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon. 

This week Ariel The Food Truck Scholar talks to Chef Sassy, owner of Sassy Pans LLC and season 9 contestant of The Great Food Truck Race on Food Network. Chef Sassy tells Ariel how she started cooking professionally, how she landed on Food Network, and what her plans after the show are.

Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon. 

Host Ariel D. Smith shares how she became known as "The Food Truck Scholar" and discusses what you can expect in the upcoming episodes.

Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon. 

New Podcast Alert! If you're interested in food, culture, economics, and food trucks from any angle, The Food Truck Scholar podcast is for you.

Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon. 

Today's Show
Within the past year, I’ve received more questions about catering and ghost kitchens in particular. While experiences may vary by person and location, today’s guest utilized ghost kitchens to stay open at the onset of covid but shares with us why his restaurant plans will not include ghost kitchens in the foreseeable future.

Miles Robbins is the founder of FourFortyFour, a catering service in LA that is positioning itself to one day have a restaurant that will be listed as one of the best. Today we talk about his culinary journey and if a food truck will ever be added to the equation.

FourFortyFour Social Media
IG: @fourfortyfour_creations
website: fourfortyfourcreations.com

Season 3 Truck Level Sponsors
Eatokra
EatOkra is where food, culture, and community link. Supporting Black owned restaurants and food trucks just got easier! Download the EatOkra app today.

Sponsor The Show
Need to get the word out about your product or service to food truckers? Consider becoming a sponsor for season 4!

New Book by The Food Truck Scholar- "Before You Launch A Food Truck"
Ebook PDF ON SALE!!!
Paperback
Kindle

After traveling the country meeting and interviewing about 500 food trucks in the past 5 years through The Food Truck Scholar Podcast and academic research, Ariel D. Smith has compiled an abundance of information regarding the food truck industry from menu creation and marketing, to maintenance and regulations. One of the things she discovered over the years is that aspiring food truckers either do not have enough information or are overwhelmed with information and no clue where to start. Ariel designed this book to be the first touchpoint on your food truck journey. If you're in multiple online groups and reading big books about food trucks and feeling lost, pause for a moment, pick up this trimmer. What's best about "Before You Launch A Food Truck" is that it is designed for you to reflect before taking action. Once you have reflected on and answered the questions provided (pages to take notes on each section included!), feel free to jump back into the other resources you're using to birth your food truck dreams!

FREE Checklist: 7 Things To Do If You're Looking for a Food Truck Builder

Join Our Mailing List

Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon. 

We’ve heard all about apartment complexes and residential areas that have invited food trucks out to their properties for their residents during and after the height of the Covid pandemic so it’s great to actually speak to the representative of one. Francesca Delguidice is the chief innovation officer Delamerican Real Estate Group for SLX Atlanta and shares why they decided to invite food trucks to the property and share some of her favorites 

Over the past 5 years, I’ve  learned a lot about what makes a good food truck stand out among the rest. I took 8 of those key concepts and created a book where I could have curbside conversations with each of you about them. This book  is not only digestible and not designed to overwhelm you, but also propels you into action. You can purchase Before You Launch A Food Truck TODAY at TheFoodTruckScholar.com/shop in paperback and ebook format as well as on Amazon.