In downtown Jackson, belly up to not-so-basic burgers on wheels
Lauren Davis once read that 75 percent of food truck owners have no formal restaurant experience. So, in October 2012, when he was at a crossroads in his career and the City of Jackson had passed an ordinance to allow food trucks, he decided to give it a shot.
After perfecting backyard grilling recipes, plundering through heaps of research and studying marathon episodes on the Food Network, Lauren opened LurnyD’s.
The truck, named after Lauren’s nickname, is a mainstay at Smith Park, only at block from the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in downtown Jackson, and it also rolls around the metro area for special events and catering jobs.
With Jimmy Hendrix and Led Zeppelin blaring from the speakers from the groovy mobile restaurant that once delivered potato, LurnyD serves up made-to-order specialties for every burger connoisseur.
“I like to swap up the menu a bit and try new things. I‘ve got to keep it interesting,” he said.
Just a glance at the menu — a burger topped with peanut butter and bacon or one topped with French onion dip, chips and a pickle — likely will make the driest of mouths salivate. On a lucky day, customers might catch a special consisting of an Asian-inspired burger served on a “bun” of Ramen noodles.
A little too adventurous? Fret not. The classic cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, and grilled onions is to die for. And don’t forget the fresh, hand-cut fries.
Lauren plays a daily guessing game on prep work and how much he thinks he’ll sell for the day.
“When it’s gone, that’s it. But that’s the nature of the business. Any restaurant has that problem,” he said.
Diving into the food truck world has been a more affordable way to break into the food business than a brick and mortar restaurant, but Lauren said that doesn’t mean local chefs and restaurateurs treat him any differently.
“The reception has been great. I’ve even worked with a few local chefs on some pop-up restaurants and let them hijack my truck for the day,” said Lauren. “We’ve done an Asian pop-up, and a ‘crazy grilled cheese’ pop-up. I’d like to do one that is all about fries with all sorts of different toppings.”
LurnyD’s is open for lunch most weekdays when weather permits, and the line starts forming shortly before noon.
The patrons are mostly men and women dressed in their downtown business best, looking for a little something different and some fresh air during their lunch breaks. First-timers study the menu, while Lauren knows the regulars’ orders by heart. Everything is made to order while the customer waits.
“Obviously the weather comes into play with a food truck, which can be good or bad,” he said. “The best thing about a food truck is that it’s mobile, and we can move wherever we want as long as we have a permit.”
Lauren said although the future of his journey in the restaurant business is uncertain, he knows he’s enjoying the food truck lifestyle and has no plans to make any changes anytime soon.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s something different, and it gives people an option besides the usual, which is cool,” he said.
So who’s up for a Krispy Kreme burger?
