This summer, whether dining in a backyard or at an area city park, such as American Lake’s City Park —one entrée not to be missed is something barbecued: that lip-smacking Southern-style meal starring beef, chicken, or pork, blended in a mixture of brown sugar, onions, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, dry mustard, ginger, vegetable oil, garlic, lemon…and other ingredients.
Some of the area’s best barbecued fixings are available at a small, relatively out-of-the-way food truck that’s parked daily from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Vernon Drive.
“Ham Hock” Jones’ modest, BBQ-colored, wood-sided mobile kitchen is part of a growing inventory of more than 800 food trucks operating around Washington. This relatively new culinary adventure serves a variety of cuisines, from Italian, Hawaiian-Korean, and Mexican, to Cheese dishes and, at this local site: BBQ.
The appetizing menu features more than a dozen ways to enjoy this popular style of cooking, from melt-in-your-mouth ribs to catfish, Philly cheese steaks, plus fresh Cole slaw, baked beans, Mac and cheese, an item known as “the Hogg Dogg” and other styles of “soul food.”
“Ham Hock” (also known as “Bobby”) has operated his food truck for two years in the Lake City side of Lakewood. His truck parks daily at 9202 Washington Blvd. S.W. Besides the local site, “Ham Hock” also caters on request. (He’ll be serving at the upcoming Hilltop event). Customers come from “around the neighborhood, from the VA Hospital and Western State Hospital.”
A former LPN from Gary, IN, he’s also a guitarist and dad to eight-year-old Angel, who’s made a personal promotional sign that day for his business. This venture into cooking, he adds, came about after the recent death of his mother.
Entrees range from a fish and chicken platter, to a Soul Shack Medley of ribs, fish and chicken. The menu also features smoked baby back ribs, shrimp, and burgers, with intriguing names such as “Queen Labeefa,” “Texan Queen,” and the “Big Badd Mama.” Fries and sodas, also available.
Using family recipes as well as his own creations, “Ham Hock” plans to “add a second truck, and, eventually, a restaurant.” The local Soul Shack is open five days a week, year-round, and from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays on request.
Here’s a personal testimonial: this writer scarfed down a humungous, dripping BBQ sandwich with a side of baked beans— Delicious! Leftovers for later.
Meanwhile, HH’s just whipped up a couple plates of pancakes, fried eggs and sausage for Angel and her friend.
Phone orders are accepted. Call 253-588-7600. Credit or debit cards also are accepted. There’s also a Military Discount, too.