Rocket joins Providence food truck scene

ROCKET FINE STREET FOOD moved to Providence from Torrington, Conn., on Wednesday, adding to the growing ranks of the local food truck scene. / COURTESY CARRIE ALBRECHT VIBERT
ROCKET FINE STREET FOOD moved to Providence from Torrington, Conn., on Wednesday, adding to the growing ranks of the local food truck scene. / COURTESY CARRIE ALBRECHT VIBERT

PROVIDENCE – What do you have planned for lunch today? If you’re thinking of heading to one of the local food trucks, a new face has joined the ranks.

Rocket Fine Street Food had its first day in Providence on Wednesday, serving food on Thayer Street for lunch and at the Pawtucket Winter Market for dinner.

The menu consists of many comfort food staples – mac and cheese, grilled cheese, tomato soup and a variety of burgers, including the Parisienne (think caramelized onions, Gruyere, aioli).

Owners Patricia Natter-Meneguzzo and her husband Joe Meneguzzo first opened Rocket in their hometown of Torrington, Conn., in 2010.

- Advertisement -

Both had been living in Miami, working in marketing and printing, respectively, and wanted to do “something” food-related but, she said, opening a full-fledged restaurant was “a little daunting” – so they quit their jobs and headed home.

“[Owning a food truck] is 10 times more enjoyable than we thought. It’s a whole different dynamic with food trucks. [The customers] enjoy meeting the person that’s cooking their food.”

“In the winter, it’s very quiet [in Torrington], and we really wanted Rocket to be a year-round business,” she said. “It’s a food-truck friendly city; people seem to really enjoy food here – so here we are!”

Their schedule, for now, is “up in the air,” but Rocket will post its locations on Facebook and Twitter – @rockettruck – every day. Natter-Meneguzzo also maintains a blog with the menu and locations.

Other local food trucks – which include Mijos Tacos, Mama Kim’s Korean BBQ, Hewtin’s Dogs, Like No Udder, and Poco Loco Tacos – have been “very helpful” and welcoming, she said.

“We come from the idea that when food trucks get together – it creates a destination … a mini event,” Natter-Meneguzzo added. “We really feel like food trucks are beneficial for cities like Providence … to create buzz when there are activities.”

“There’s a life in [Providence] even in the winter – that was what we were looking for,” Natter-Meneguzzo said. It will be Rocket’s first time as a “true” street vendor, since in Connecticut they used park in a private parking lot and were not restricted to the 2-hour street parking permit limit.

No posts to display

2 COMMENTS

  1. Think about the negatives also. they park on the street, often in front of other businesses who pay good rent and taxes to the City. They poach customers from these other businesses who are employee many more people and paying far more to the City. Then they drive out of the City at the end of the day while paying virtually nothing to the City for the license. How does this benefit Providence again?

  2. Hello John,
    This is Timothy with. I’m the CEO of RADISH Food Truck.
    We will be having our grand opening here in Providence sometime late spring/early summer this year.

    http://pbn.com/Johnson-Wales-University-Shark-Tank-Winners,63178

    In reply to your comment I do not agree.
    My Food truck will benefit the City of Providence in many ways.

    I am creating jobs!
    Paying taxes!
    I AND OTHER FOOD TRUCK OWNERS CAN AGREE we are bring true Entrepreneurship sprite to the city of Providence.

    After all Providence has stated that they are a pro small business city.

    Before a food truck can legally be on the streets of providence they also must pay a few hundred dollars in licenses to the city of providence.

    We cant park anywhere there is a meter so we are not in the way of anyone.

    I just want to share my amazing gourmet streets food to the city of providence.

    While providing the Providence area with Quality, Locally grown, Organic food, RADISH serves on a mobile basis at an affordable price.

    Plus we are creating about 20 Jobs per Truck.

    Hopefully you agree John bring food trucks to Providence wont be such a bad idea after all.

    There fun People love um.
    🙂

    We are