Missouri’s “Bootheel” is the swampy, heel-shaped region that hangs off of the southeast corner of the Show-Me State—and it’s the inspiration behind the latest food truck rolling into town. Arlington’s Bootheel Catering has made a name for itself with Southern-style comfort food, and now the company is on the move. Literally.
In May, the company plans to introduce a new food truck that will tour Clarendon, Ballston, Rosslyn and Crystal City. The roving eatery will offer a condensed version of Bootheel’s catering menu, including favorites like barbecue nachos, fried catfish tacos, fresh brisket and baked mac and cheese. (Vegetarians will appreciate meatless options such as Cajun quinoa and black bean salad.)
Bootheel’s ingredients are ethically sourced, to boot. “Quality is a big deal to us,” says owner David Newton. “We use natural ingredients whenever possible and we’ve moved to using biodegradable and compostable flatware. We don’t ever use Styrofoam plates or cups.”
During the work week, Newton says he hopes to serve professionals during the lunch rush in Rosslyn and Ballston, as well as in Crystal City on food truck Thursdays. On weekends, the truck will park at local breweries and serve late-night bites in Clarendon.
“I’m looking forward to serving regulars from our catering business, as well as meeting and getting to know more people in the area,” Newton says. “When I first started [catering] I discovered that it fills something inside of me. Feeding you feeds me.”
The Bootheel Food Truck is now available for private events and will join the public food truck scene in mid-May. Watch for updates on the truck’s whereabouts on Facebook.