Post and Courier | Cassie Cornwell

COLUMBIA — At the end of every week, the City of Columbia holds Food Truck Fridays. Shontay Cooper, administrator specialist for the city, said the initiative began in June 2022. The food-on-wheels rodeo is located in the REI Co-Op parking lot at the BullStreet District. The regular event offers a variety of people to be able to come out and attend.

Cooper said Food Truck Fridays was spearheaded by at-large councilwoman Aditi Bussells. “The purpose of the initiative was to spotlight the diverse and delicious culinary options available locally,” Cooper said. Food Truck Fridays also foster community engagement, Cooper added.

The event has proven popular, with food truck slots booked months in advance. And the city is hoping to expand the initiative to other places, including the under-renovation Finlay Park. The event offers food truck owners a reliable spot to sell their cuisine.

Brown Bag Deli, owned by Amy and Brad Holub, participates in Food Truck Fridays about twice a month. “This event is always great,” Amy Holub said. “I always find that at least once a month you’ll get a couple new contacts.”

Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ owner Chris Bennett said he participates in Food Truck Fridays at least once a month. “It’s a good consistent event for us to have on the calendar,” he said. 

VonGrethen and Tyrus Donawald own and operate Bessie’s Bites & Sweet Delights. Vongrethen Donawald said Food Truck Fridays location is a major draw for the married duo.

What it takes to run a food truck

Food trucks are an increasingly popular option for restaurateurs looking for little overhead, flexible working conditions and a way to meet customers where they are.

Stephanie Abreu’s husband, Esteban Gutierrez, and sister in-law, Mari Carmen Gutierrez, run Tacos Oink Oink together. She said the food truck allows them to share a part of their culture with customers.

William Hanti of Smok’in Pot said it’s a lot of hard work, “but there’s also instant gratification. There’s nothing better than when a customer comes back to you and says, ‘man, that was out of this world.'”

But with mercurial Midlands weather, regulatory hurdles and a need to constantly scout locations, it’s not always blue skies for food truck operators.

“It requires your blood, sweat and tears and if it is not your true passion, if food in general is not a true passion, then you will not last,” said Diana Brown, owner of Brown Sistaz Island Vibz.

Interacting with customers — be they regulars or first-timers — and sharing their cuisine is one of the best parts of running a food truck, Brown said.

“We meet some of the most amazing people, doing what we do,” Brown said. “We’re able to provide them with an experience by way of food and expose them to our Jamaican culture.”