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Nashville food truck owner sees bright future





Red’s 615 Kitchen food truck was awarded “Best Food Truck in Tennessee” in 2019 by Food Network.Courtesy / Red’s 615 Kitchen

Red’s 615 Kitchen food truck was awarded “Best Food Truck in Tennessee” in 2019 by Food Network.Courtesy / Red’s 615 Kitchen

Much like the dishes they serve, the food truck industry is innovative, unique, and constantly evolving.

These large, motorized vehicles or trailers are essentially kitchens on wheels run by chefs.

While food truck owners have seen an increase in popularity since it first debuted, it doesn’t compare to the significant growth the industry has experienced over the past 15 years.

Responsible for this are booming cities populated with food trucks, such as New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, and Nashville.

As for the Music City, one of the most popular food trucks for Middle Tennesseans is Red’s 615 Kitchen.

Owned by Eric “Red” White, his food truck menu consists of dishes that are simplistic, delicious, and revolve around one of Nashville’s favorite eats — hot chicken.

It’s been an unorthodox journey, as transforming a kitchen and packing it into a truck doesn’t sound like the easiest of tasks.

White’s culinary experience goes back to 2007.

One of Red's 615 Kitchen's many hot chicken-styled meals. The menu also offers hot chicken crunch wraps, catfish sandwiches, and more.Courtest/Red615Kitchen

One of Red’s 615 Kitchen’s many hot chicken-styled meals. The menu also offers hot chicken crunch wraps, catfish sandwiches, and more.Courtest/Red615Kitchen

He spent 10 years working in and out of kitchens at restaurants such as 1808, Table 3, and Pomodoro East before deciding that he wanted to pursue something different.

“I just wanted to do my own thing,” said the Nashville native.

In 2017, he opened Red’s 615 Kitchen food truck and it has been nothing but a grand slam.

White noted there are a handful of benefits to owning a truck, such as not worrying about the thought of attracting people to a restaurant’s specific location.

“The opportunity to go where the people are instead of them finding you,” he said regarding the advantages of serving meals on wheels.

He also likes the versatility food trucks offer, having the flexibility to not only serve single customers but also large special events as well.

But there are disadvantages to owning a food truck.

“Truck breakdowns and COVID of course,” White said when asked about the downside of this industry.

Due to quarantine procedures, the lack of customers started to affect food trucks throughout the city, temporarily shutting some mobile businesses down.

 

 

As for breakdowns, White said every owner will most likely face engine troubles and equipment malfunctions throughout their time in their truck. It’s part of the journey.

White said he has great expectations for the future of this industry, and predicted this growth will continue.

For more information about Red’s 615 Kitchen, go to reds615kitchen.com.

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