June 14, 2024

A “taste of the islands” is the theme of a new food truck in Sioux Falls.

605 Island Guy features the flavors owner Nefu Mageo enjoyed growing up in American Samoa.

“In Samoan culture, everybody loves to cook,” Mageo said. “They fight over who is going to run the grill.”

His father was a cook in the military, and his mother was the head cook at an elementary school.

“I learned from watching them cook.” Mageo said.

His menu features a sampler plate that allows diners to taste Samoan barbecue chicken, Korean beef ribs and Kalua pork, along with coconut lime rice and the traditional macaroni salad side dish.

Other offerings include dishes such as his signature barbecue chicken plate, Kalua pork sandwich and the Aloha Smash Burger with a teriyaki beef patty, pepper jack cheese, grilled pineapple guava and bacon jam.

Mageo said he has several other entrees to offer like tacos with shrimp, fish or jerk chicken.

“As we started doing events, we’ll find out what people like and switch it up.”

Today, he’s also serving poke nachos for lunch until 2 p.m. at First Bank & Trust at Dawley Farm Village.

605 Island Guy made its debut earlier this month and has several events booked this month. Find updates and additions on Facebook.

In addition to pop-ups, the food truck can be booked for public and private events.

Mageo played football while attending high school in Hawaii and found his way to South Dakota after receiving a scholarship to play on the Dakota State University team.

That’s where he met his wife, Brooke. Her family owns Hillside Resort on Lake Madison, and Mageo serves as general manager. The couple lives in Sioux Falls.

“My main thing is being focused on the kitchen, but every once in awhile, I’ll help in the front,” he said.

While the lakeside resort is known for its prime rib and fried chicken, Mageo’s flavors have found their way onto the menu with the Big Kahuna and Hawaiian burgers. He’s also known for his specialty, the Samoan barbecue chicken.

“I had a hundred people telling me ‘you should get a food truck.’ Nobody else had what I was doing.”

He plans to be out with the food truck a couple of times a week.

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