Shell’s Kitchen, the much-loved culinary hotspot known for its soul food menu and gourmet comfort food, hit the streets of Rochester in February with its latest venture, a vibrant new food truck.
Michelle Clark, the owner and founder of Shell’s Kitchen, has long been a wonderful contributor to Rochester’s food scene. Now, with the introduction of this mobile unit, her team brings their signature flavors of soul food to even more residents and visitors of this bustling city.
The Grand opening of the Shell’s Kitchen food truck took place on February 14th on Valentines day in the commercial center off Claire Lane Northeast near Century High School. While the food is so delicious it can melt in your mouth, the story behind the food truck will melt your heart. Michelle Clark’s significant other Gabriel Green, owner of Quality Construction Cleaning, gave her a Valentine’s surprise that may be difficult to top. After presenting her with a bouquet of roses, Green handed her the keys to the food truck. Then he got on one knee and proposed to her.
Michelle Clark and Gabriel Green celebrate their engagement. Photo courtesy of Post Bulletin
The news made headlines on that romantic day, and business has been going strong ever since. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response,” Clark said. “Our goal has always been to make great food accessible to everyone, and with the food truck, we can reach more people and add a new dimension to our offering.”
On the menu, there are a variety of mouth-watering options, from the famous baked mac n’ cheese combined with fried chicken to collard greens and candied yams. There are many options to choose from on both their regular menu and their special Soul Food Sunday menu.
One of my favorites would have to be their Philly steak and fries. It may differ from the regular soul food selections that they have, but that Philly steak is one of the best things to get on their menu; the meat is very juicy, and the flavors are so delicious and comforting. Especially when the weather gets sunnier and hotter, this steak sandwich will be my “go-to” for the summer. This would be the perfect thing to bring on an outing or picnic with your friends and family.
The food truck’s location rotates throughout Rochester, and regular updates are posted through their social media pages. They plan to make an appearance at local events such as Thursdays on First and the Olmsted County Fairgrounds this summer. Currently, the truck mainly operates off of Claire Lane Northeast near Century High School.
Shell’s Kitchen provides great services to the Rochester community and gives a good vibe to those that are willing to try new things. Ms. Clark is friendly and welcoming, making everyone feel right at home. Most importantly, the food is very good overall, diverse and delicious. One of the things that splits people’s opinions is that the meat can soak into the buns of the Philly steak sandwich, which brings a more greasy feel to biting the sandwich; some don’t enjoy the added grease, while others believe it is a secret ingredient of deliciousness.
Beyond the food, keep in mind that it’s a food truck, so there isn’t a lot of seating nearby. It’s not a bad idea to get your food to go; there are four parks very close to Shell’s Kitchen’s main operating spot: Foster-Arend, Northern Heights, Emerald Hills, and Quarry Hill. Enjoy your meal at one of those spots, and you’ll have a great culinary experience. Overall, it’s a 10 out of 10 experience.
For more information on Shell’s Kitchen food truck location and menu, follow them on @ShellsKitchen Mn on Facebook and make pre-orders at 507-601-0814.
