OSU Dining rolls out new food truck

Friday, January 29, 2016

The “Chophouse Taqueria", OSU’s first-ever campus food truck, is officially open for business! A formal ribbon cutting ceremony was held January 15, 2016 for the trucks grand opening. Pictured left to right: Mitch Kilcrease, Asst. VP of Student Affairs; First Cowgirl Ann Hargis; OSU President Burns Hargis; Joe Weaver, VP of Administration and Finance; Terry Baker, Director of University Dining; Dr. Lee Bird, VP of Student Affairs; Rick Kryziak, Chief Facilities Officer; Vedda Hsu, Asst. Director of University Dining.

Oklahoma State University has launched is first-ever food truck - the "Chophouse Taqueria".

Dozens of students, staff and faculty braved the cold weather to join OSU President Burns Hargis, Pistol Pete and others in gathering around the bright colors of the new truck for the grand opening ceremony. After brief remarks from President Hargis and other campus officials, there was a ribbon cutting and ceremonial “first bite”, offering attendees a taste of the Mexican BBQ fusion menu.

"While we were passing around free samples of various menu items, everyone just kept asking when we would open for lunch - they couldn't wait to get more!" said Nic Johnson, Marketing Coordinator for University Dining.

The trucks menu, reflective of many of the regions most favored cuisines, includes "Bowl-Ritos" - open faced burrito bowls topped with Smoked Brisket, Pulled Pork or Spicy Chicken Tinga; "Top Shelf Tacos" built on corn tortillas and filled with Oklahoma classics like Chicken Fried Steak and topped with gourmet sauces and toppings. For lighter fare, the menu has a "Soup, Salad and More" section featuring an entree BBQ Chicken Cobb salad, tortilla soup and a loaded baked potato topped with Turkey Chili that is both indulgent and still meets the campus's "Choose Orange" qualifications for a healthy menu item.

The truck is the result of a partnership between University Dining and the campuses Facilities Management department, which is located in an area of campus where nearly 1,500 employees don't have easy access to dining facilities. The "Chophouse" will roll up to the Facilities Management department Monday thru Friday for lunch from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and then move to a location more centrally located to students, residence halls and the campus'es fitness center for dinner service from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

The food truck will be available for special events and catered functions in addition to its normal hours and locations.

"The entire concept represents months of hard work to get off the ground; from the unbelievable kitchen and the culinary staff inside the truck, to the technology, the branding - truly a team effort," said Terry Baker, Director of University Dining. "Food trucks are very much on trend right now and our students and employees were asking for a dining option for some of the more remote areas of campus. It made perfect sense and we're excited to finally share it with the university and community!"

PHOTO: https://www.flickr.com/photos/osudining/23897290714

VIDEO: http://www.ostate.tv/?play=F7C7C3DD-D5A5-C8C4-5354-47613FB3D583