Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Wagner.
Hi Grace, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was a sophomore in college studying criminal justice when covid hit. School went online, and I lost my job in high school because of covid. During covid, food trucks blew up because they could stay open and serve in neighborhoods which restaurants could not do. I was looking for a job when my mom mentioned that I should look for a job on a food truck. So I went and messaged and emailed all the food trucks that popped up. One truck reached back out to me, and I started working on the truck in July 2020. I instantly fell in love with the people and the culture that comes with food trucking. The range of different people and lifestyles you meet in food trucking is amazing, and I have met some of the best people doing this job. I could never really cook or bake, but when I got the job on the truck, I fell in love with cooking and baking. I would teach myself by trying to conquer a new recipe every day.
I found a side of myself that I had no idea existed until I started this job. I had worked on a few different trucks for about two years when I decided to open my truck. I had just graduated college when I bought the truck. While the truck was being built, I had so much support from the other food trucks around me. Mark and Reneake, with Lola’s Lumpia, and Ayman and Jamie, with Pita Stroller, were there to answer all my questions and ease my concerns. They wanted me to succeed and have done everything to help me get where I am today. They were the ones that made me fall in love with food trucking, and I am beyond lucky to have all of them in my life. My parents are also a huge part of why I am where I am today. They were there helping me in every step and decision I needed to make about the truck. The fun decisions and the tough ones. They supported me in following my passion and are my biggest cheerleaders.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a challenging road getting here. This business has been a huge learning curve for me. When I started this business, I was by no means handy regarding tools or fixing things, and I still need to improve. I needed to figure out how to pull and back up a trailer. I had never touched a generator or had to do simple things like hang shelving. Then the other side of the business of communicating with planners and handling money. I remember asking Reneake with Lola’s Lumpia how to write a check because I had never done that before. Every day I learn something new about the truck, and I have learned how to be quick on my feet and find solutions with little to work with. It has also taught me to be level-headed and stay calm because it will be ok, and it is ok to ask for help. The biggest struggle I ran into was finding help. As a 22-year-old female, I’ve unfortunately run into some disrespect from others. Thankfully I have discovered two remarkable women, Amber and Cara, who are amazing. They may working on the truck fun and it is incredibly empowering running a food truck beside them. I am proud to be a women-owned and a women-run truck, and having these fantastic ladies beside me makes that much better.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
City Sliders Food Truck serves a variety of sliders like burgers, pulled pork, fried chicken, and a house-made black bean burger for our vegan and vegetarian friends. One of our best sellers and personal favorites is our Bada Bing Slider. It is two burger sliders topped with fresh mozzarella cheese, balsamic glaze, tomato, and house-made basil pesto on a toasted brioche bun with a side of fries or house-made pickled cucumber salad. We serve such a variety of different events we are always open to new experiences! We serve neighborhood dinners, corporate lunches, and even private events like Christmas parties and weddings. City Sliders wants to bring a fun and unique twist to your event or add excitement and a smile to your everyday life!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As we have only been open for a few months, we are still trying to find our balance and get on our feet as the year goes on though we do plan on adding specials to the truck and widening our portfolio regarding the events and people we serve! For the long term, it is exciting to think about the idea of expanding and City Sliders becoming a recognized name, but for now, we are excited to see where our journey will take us. Whatever is meant to be will happen.
Pricing:
- O.G. Burger $12
- The Stew Burger $14
- The Pig With Seoul $13
- The Chicken Little $13
- The Breezie Black Bean Burger $13
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/CitySlidersFoodTruck/
- Instagram: @cityslidersfoodtruck
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CitySlidersFoodTruck/
