Road Warrior - At The Curb Food Truck
Not too long ago, I was able to visit the iconic Warrior Cafe in Cotter, Ar for the first time. I had heard tales about their delicious breakfast buffet and was excited to try it for the first, of what I had hoped would be many times. Since I moved to the Ozarks I had never heard of chocolate gravy before my wife introduced me to the heavenly dish. Warrior Cafe was only the second place outside my family that I had ever tried the sweet treat, and they did not disappoint.
Recently owner Nathan Buck has turned the page on his business, opening a traveling food truck and catering service named "At The Curb". The mobile machine is serving up hot food on the go, so I caught up with Nathan this week in Gassvile for a few questions. (Read more below)
Is Warrior Cafe gone for good?
“I believe that Warrior Cafe has taught us a lot over the years. I always try to be a better chef and business owner by learning from our mistakes, which we have made, but has made us better. Warrior Cafe may be permanently closed, but I see it as a stepping stone for us to grow and be better.”
“It was actually a perfect storm (opening ATC). I always had a goal set in my mind for Cotter, which I reached in 2019. I started looking for a new location and a had a friend reach out to me about a food truck, which I was 100% sold on. That particular truck didn’t work out, but after crunching numbers we found the perfect one inTexas.”
“There are benefits to both the truck and brick and mortar business. The truck is mobile and can always follow where the people are. Brick and mortar is always in the same location and people will always know where you are, but I really enjoy the truck more right now (mostly because it’s new). I am excited for what the future holds for us. We have truly been blessed so far. We are selling out a lot and bringing more food in, and then sell ing out again. We are also blessed to be apart of this community, which has responded better than we ever hoped.”
So, what can we find on the menu?
“I am currently doing the menu trial by error, trying to introduce items one at a time. The goal now is to quickly provide the best chef crafted burgers and dogs available to our community, and for a fair price. I am working on something right now that is kind of my version of a french dip. I haven’t been selling it yet, but it will be a certified angus beef prime rib, thinly sliced, cooked on the flat top, with a side of Au Jus for dipping. It’s one of my favorite creations so far and I’m excited to add it to the menu.”
What else are you working on for the future?
“I always set goals higher than I should, but try to keep them realistic. Money has never been a priority for me personally. I enjoy being a part of this community as well being able to give back. That is what really matters to me. I would love to have a couple of trucks running eventually and become a bigger part of this community than I am right now. I think this area lacks of a few more food trucks and there is enough room for all of us, as long as we work together.”
“Another effort is to grow our catering business, which is a great passion of ours. Catering is a lot of work over a short period of time. When you feed 200 people over an hour or two it is a huge challenge, but the reward at the end of the tunnel is so AWESOME.”
What social distancing precautions are you taking?
“We are asking people to keep their distance while ordering. We have always followed rules set by the health department including washing your hands and wearing gloves. People are understanding in the times that we are in and try to keep their distance. We are doing everything we can to ensure our customers stay safe and healthy.”
Because of the global pandemic Covid-19, the mobile food industry has been helping many communities around the United States. ATC is assisting people with convenient meals located throughout the Mountain Home area, and also aiding in a community-wide effort to feed those who need a meal (Read more about Mountain Home Cares here).
To keep up with Nathan and ATC follow them on Facebook here).