Burrito Truck Comes to Hampden

Gourmet food trucks appear to be the latest fad in Charm City’s culinary landscape (see Kooper’s Chowhound Burger Wagon). Now, Hampden has its very own roving burrito truck.

Customers sidle up to Curbside Cafe.

The Curbside Café, co-owned and operated by husband-wife team Shawn Smith and Lesa Bain, has recently made appearances at local festivals and events, in addition to prowling Hampden for burrito-loving locals. Curbside’s fillings can be a bit unconventional with chana masala and tofu on the menu alongside the more usual chicken and pork.

The enterprise has been more than a year in the making, according to Smith, who says that he and his wife were inspired by guys they saw making grilled cheese and fried sweet potatoes on a cart in Hampden three years ago. It’s been a battle for equipment and licenses since then.

Smith says, “We’ve been out probably six or seven times” since May 5, when the truck made its first appearance at a Cinco de Mayo tequila tasting. Business is going well but the couple’s full-time jobs keep them from going out in their burritomobile as much as they’d like.

Yes, this food truck is a labor of love. Smith and Bain say they are not in it to make a profit, they’re just trying to fill a niche and sell really good food at the same time. Check our Curbside’s Facebook or follow it on Twitter to learn when and where to get your burrito fix.

Another new addition to eating in Hampden is the Mill Steakhouse Tavern, which the web site claims is Hampden’s first ever steakhouse.

Two other restaurants, Alchemy and the Art House have also recently joined the Hampden Village Merchants Association. Alchemy will take up residence in the Grill Art space that emptied after the restaurant’s owner Milton Lentz died earlier this year. Art House, which promises a “café, furnishings, books, and art” according to the Merchants Association web site, will be in the space previous inhabited by Form. No word yet on when either will open.