A new food truck is grilling up success on Bayview Parkway.
Chef Ali Jafari, 23, and his business partner Rob Patel, 24, of Toronto, opened Grub Spot in the Bayview Inn parking lot a few weeks ago.
“We serve mostly comfort food here,” Jafari said. “Our recipes are my take on some of my favourite foods which are fast food-based.”
The George Brown Culinary master's graduate says starting a business outside of Toronto allows them to save on rent and stand out a little more in a market that is less busy.
“Orillia is a beautiful city,” Jafari said. “We really like it here.”
Jafari, who has chef experience working in fine dining Italian restaurants, said he has been impressed with Orillia’s hospitality and the way they have been welcomed to the community.
“I didn’t think people would be this nice to us,” he said. “I thought this would be a grab-and-go spot but it’s more personal now. It’s a beautiful thing.”
While the new business owners are dreaming big on potentially growing the business into different markets, they are currently focused on making the Orillia location the best it can be. They have already carefully crafted nearly 20 menu items including different types of burgers, tacos, sandwiches, and more.
The French fries and burger patties at Grub Spot are made fresh every day and their buns are purchased fresh daily from the Orillia Bakery.
“We want to be different than other chip trucks and restaurants in Orillia,” Jafari said. “Every meal that I make, I make it as if I’m serving it to my family.”
Jafari says cooking and crafting the menu is his passion. He hopes to continue growing the menu as the food truck's popularity grows.
Patel thanks the Orillia community for leaving generous reviews about Grub Spot on Google.
“A lot of people are referring others to come and try us,” he said. “Every day we get busier and busier.”
Grub Spot is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
