If you have recently caught a savory whiff of garlic bread or heard someone rave about Italian meatballs, chances are it led you straight to Paparoni’s!
This morning, the family-owned business stopped into the Chamber to explain the evolution of their food business into their bright yellow food truck, featuring a whimsical Italian-inspired mural painted by local artist Jordan Brennan. When Paparoni’s opened last year, the business began as a small stand at the Farmers Market, which didn’t allow them to cater or sell food for long periods of time.
But their family, made up of founder Mike and Ashley Beasley and in-laws Jim and Amber Moreno, was committed to expanding their Italian food throughout Grinnell. Now, Paparoni’s holds five licenses and has completed all code and inspection requirements, which allows them to cook for all sorts of town events in Grinnell.
Mike, a contractor by trade, outfitted the entire truck himself, with his father-in-law Jim Moreno in mind. They moved to Grinnell from Las Vegas, where Jim was already building his reputation for being a great cook to his friends and family.
“My mom would bring [Jim’s] leftovers to her friends and they’d always say, ‘oh my gosh, you could totally run a food truck!” laughs Ashley.
Inside the yellow food truck, you won’t find a microwave or a freezer — everything is made fresh daily, from the pasta to the peach cobbler. “For every dish, we try to incorporate a piece of Italy or Sicily,” says Jim. “Whether it’s the spices, the herbs, or the tomatoes, we try to make sure it has been sunkissed or touched by Italy.”
Paparoni’s menus are tailored for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On Saturday mornings at the Grinnell Farmers Market, they prepare delicious Italian-sausage pizza, creamy bread pudding, and Mike’s personal favorite: peach cobbler. Jim, whose family lineage traces back to Italy, can “cook anything Italian,” says Mike. The truck itself is a fully self-sustaining kitchen, meaning it can operate for up to 10 hours straight without needing outside energy sources.
Around town, they have catered for lunch business meetings, as well as town events, whether for Walmart’s Grand Re-Opening, Mom’s Wheels, Grinnell College’s Alumni Reunion, or Wes Finch’s Grand Opening.
“We’ve noticed that catering with our food truck at [business] events usually brings extra business for them,” shared Mike with the Chamber Ambassadors. Paparoni’s has seven upcoming events this week alone, with nearly 80 on the books for this summer already — but they’re still available to cater for weddings, park events, church gatherings, and even backyard celebrations. They’ll bring the truck — and the taste of Italy!
“Our loyalty is to Grinnell,” says Jim, “And we are trying to do as many Grinnell events as possible. We are staying in Grinnell.”
If you’re craving some deliciously fresh Italian meatballs, Paparonis’ will be open today at 7 PM at Central Park for Music at the Pavilion.
They will also be open during Music in the Park on Thursdays at 7 PM, beginning this week, but if you can’t attend those events, they are also open during Grinnell Farmers Market hours on Thursdays and Saturdays! To stay updated on where their truck will be, follow their Facebook page, Paparoni's - Grinnell, Iowa!
Chamber Ambassadors, from left to right:
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