The Food Truck Scholar

By: Ariel D. Smith
  • Summary

  • The Food Truck Scholar Podcast is where food, business, and stories collide. Each episode host and academic scholar Ariel D. Smith peels back the cultural, social, economic, and political layers of the food truck industry. From Food Network contestants and former bank executives to self-trained and formally trained chefs- The Food Truck Scholar Podcast introduces you to entrepreneurs from all walks life that are ready to feed your mind with tips to start your own food truck, stories that fill your heart, and tempting meal options to fill your stomach.
    © 2023 The Food Truck Scholar
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Episodes
  • Cheat Codes to Food Truck Success with Marcus Crawford
    Nov 29 2022

    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. 

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    29 mins
  • The Gamble of Food Truck Lotteries w/ Jordan Rubin of Mr. Tuna
    Sep 20 2022

    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. 

    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • The Importance of Written Agreements w/ Attorney Courtney L. Howard
    Jul 27 2022

    ABOUT THE SHOW
    I know one of the major takeaways people often get from my show when it comes to starting their food truck is to step out on faith and do it. However, in addition to faith to launch it, you also have to use logic and reason to sustain it.

    I’ve seen many food trucks get into trouble on the business side simply because agreements were not written down. Did you and friend start a business together? Doing your first catering event? Worried someone may steal your menu? If any of that sounds like you, this is your episode.

    Today’s guest is my friend Attorney Courtney Howard. Courtney is also a Birmingham native and stops by the show to educate us on what we as business owners can do to protect ourselves and our business on the front end with written agreements. So lean forward and take notes the show starts now.

    SEASON 4 SPONSORS
    BGT GIFTS

    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. 

    Show more Show less
    35 mins

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