Photo Credit: Morale, Welfare & Recreation-NAVSTA Great Lakes
For those looking to bring food and beverage options and customer convenience to a variety of events, consider a “Rolling Restaurant.”
The Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department at the Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois utilizes its “Rolling Restaurant” to support its concession efforts on the base throughout the year. This restaurant on wheels was originally purchased in 2006 at another base for approximately $100,000. Five years later, the Great Lakes MWR acquired the food truck and installed some minor upgrades—including a customized exterior with a bright red façade that featured “MWR,” and the “Rolling Restaurant” signature.
Inside, the truck sports a flat grill, a fryer, a steam table, warmers, refrigerators, a freezer, an ice bin, and plenty of prep space. In addition, the unit has a hand-wash system and three compartmental sinks to meet health and sanitation requirements. Local health inspectors routinely inspect the truck’s kitchen and general operation to ensure compliance with all applicable policies and standards. The mobile kitchen runs off of a gas generator, but also may be plugged into a 30-amp outlet, if necessary, to keep the generator running and to support the kitchen equipment (mainly a refrigerator/freezer). Almost any meal of the day, or any menu item one can think of, can be prepared and sold from this customized vehicle.