Welcome to
my first blog post. This is my attempt at giving my friends and customers (who
I consider to be my friends, too) a glimpse into the hectic and rewarding life
of a food truck owner. I never in a million years thought that this would be my
life and that I would be enjoying myself so completely. Food truck proprietors
wear many hats: mechanic, accountant, cook, dishwasher, juggler, counselor…the
list goes on and on. I am learning as I go along and hope that I can bring you
all along for the ride over the coming season!
The Truck:
1972
International Box Truck. Bright Red with Colored Flowers
Let me just
say, I LOVE my truck. She has a personality. I talk to her, yell at her, plead
with her, thank her daily. I love driving her around. I was initially very intimidated
by the thought of driving a huge truck loaded with equipment, but I have to
say, it’s a blast! I want to take her camping and attach a hammock to her. I
want to take her to the drive-in and put sleeping bags on the roof. I want to
arrange a ladies’ 80’s roller rink night and take all of my girlfriends out in
it. It is that much fun.
The Spot:
“The
Triangle”-The Junction of Routes 23A and 32A in Palenville, NY
This is the
PERFECT spot. The junction of 2 major highways and the only traffic light in town,
it is also directly across from Rowena Memorial School, a local landmark. I
consider Palenville to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The
forests and creeks are magical, and the community is incredibly close. I was
overwhelmed by all of the encouragement and support leading up to and following
my opening. People helped to clean up The Triangle, an abandoned lot that was a
bit of an eyesore. The Circle W Market took up a collection for planters and
flowers and the community contributed generously. Mechanically inclined friends
volunteered their time and expertise to make improvements on the truck. The
people of the community have touched me with how happy they are that I am here,
and they are my best and most enthusiastic customers. Not only is the spot
incredibly busy, it is also proving to be a pretty great place to hang out. I
am so grateful to be here.
The Food:
My
grandmother, Lonnie Smith, had a hot dog truck in the 70’s, and I used to love
helping her on it. I am honored to continue serving her meat chili sauce
(although a bit spicier) and her onion sauce, but I want to take your idea of
what a hot dog can be and jazz it up a little. This means making all of my
sauces from scratch, using local farmers and butchers whenever possible. I am constantly inspired by seasonal produce
and listen to my customers’ feedback about what works and what does not. A favorite is my Banh mi Dog, a take on the
Vietnamese street food, using homemade pate and homemade pickled carrots. I offer
corn on the cob and tomato sandwiches when in season, and hot mulled cider and
homemade soup when it gets chilly. I am fortunate enough to have access to the bounty of
the Hudson Valley and feel lucky to be able to work with such talented and
committed farmers and artisans. I offer veggie variations for all of my
vegetarian friends and serve soft drinks sweetened with pure cane sugar. As the season progresses I look forward to
improving upon and expanding my menu.
Pippy’s
Hotdog Truck is an obsession that pays off tenfold. It consumes a majority of
my time and thoughts, but the gratification it brings is immeasurable. In the
coming months I will give you a peek into my crazy little business: the people
I meet, the vendors and farmers I deal with, the problems I have to solve, the
personality of my truck, and the insights I acquire.
You never
know the road you will end up on or the vehicle you will be in, but if you’re
in the driver’s seat and in control, it is amazing the places you may go…
