"We are a little different from the other food carts out there," explains Izzy Schachner, owner of the soon-to-debut StrEat Mobile Bistro. "Technically, we are considered a mobile restaurant, not a food cart. This is a full kitchen on wheels."
Schachner, who also runs Cleveland Corporate Caterers and the Courthouse Café (in the Federal Courthouse downtown), says the big rig allows him to do professional production catering for the film industry, including locally shot movies, commercials, and corporate productions. He got the idea while serving as caterer for the independent film Freerunner, which was shot in Cleveland last summer.
West Wing fans might be interested to know that the truck was that show's official craft services provider. The $100K mobile kitchen was purchased in Los Angeles and driven to Cleveland. "I'm a diehard Clevelander," says Schachner, who grew up on the East Side. "I could live anywhere I want, but I want to do this here."
As for the grub, Schachner says diners can expect chef-driven soups, sandwiches, salads, and sides. There is a StrEat burger, braised pork belly sandwich with spicy peanut butter, pulled roasted chicken sandwich with red cabbage slaw, and mac & cheese, among others. Waffle fries come with a trio of dipping sauces. Prices range mostly from $4 to $7.
Follow them at facebook.com/strEatmobilebistro and on Twitter: @strEatmobile.
Coventry's Mint Cafe has reopened under new management. Renamed High Thai'd, the business was bought by longtime employee Tony Chaichana, a native of Thailand who recently earned an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College. High Thai'd is open daily at 1791 Coventry Rd. in Cleveland Heights; call 216-321-5000 for hours and information.
