By Leilani England
The Scene staff
Forest Park hosted its first food truck since the cafeteria closed earlier this year, and judging by the long line, students, faculty and staff liked it.
Doggie Mac’s served hot dogs, veggie dogs and mac and cheese from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 16.
“It’s wonderful to have an additional food option beside what’s available in the bookstore,” said Sharon Fox, instruction librarian. “Especially today, because I forgot my lunch.”
St. Louis Community College announced this summer that it was closing cafeterias on all its campuses and increasing food options in bookstores.
Forest Park hosted another food truck, operated by Peng Wingy, on Nov. 18.
“It’s a response to the food service situation on campus, a test to see what we can provide in terms of hot food,” said Auxiliary Manager Rodney Jones, who also oversees bookstores.
The food trucks parked along College Drive, south of the “Light Walls” sculpture. Some people heard about them by email, others by word of mouth.
The “vendors” will gauge their success by how much money they earn, Jones said. If they’re successful, it’s likely that the college will invite them to return in the spring.
The food trucks got positive feedback from Natalia Gomez, 20, a nursing student.
“I think it would be beneficial because it’s close by, fast and convenient,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting it. Another student told me about it, and I think it’s cool.”
Bryan Scott, 46, owner of Doggie Mac’s, graduated from Forest Park’s culinary arts program in 1996. He started the food-truck business because he always wanted to own a restaurant.
“About 10 to 12 years ago, I heard about food trucks,” he said. “So, I went to one and I thought the food was amazing, and I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.’”
The college reached out to Scott, asking if he was available and interested in selling his hot dogs and mac and cheese on campus.
It was a big success, Scott said. “I look forward to coming back.”