May 19, 2022

A plant-based food truck that’s planning to open this summer is offering free samples Friday to get feedback on its menu.

Dirty Birds will be at WoodGrain Brewing Co. at 7 p.m. with three varieties of its cashew-based mac-and-cheese.

“I’m looking to get feelers in the community and get the recipes dialed in,” said Taylor Lueth, who is starting the business with her boyfriend, Ken Richter.

“I think there’s a market here for people that are looking for vegan options.”

The three samples at the brewery at Ninth and Phillips will include the original version, which is “the plain-Jane traditional,” queso, “which has a Mexican-style on it, very seasoned,” and alfredo.

The queso version uses a gluten-free noodle.

Lueth did a similar pop-up tasting in April at Covert Artisan Ales & Cellars, and customers at the taproom ate everything she brought.

Once the food truck is ready – she and Richter are almost done converting a 1972 Holiday Rambler camper, which they’ve nicknamed the Dollar Tree Silver Liner – the menu will expand to include plant-based protein options such as Beyond chicken tenders and Soy Curls, which are dehydrated soybeans.

“They soak up whatever flavor you give them; they pick up whatever taste you want,” Lueth said. “They have a texture to them that’s sort of like chicken.”

The couple’s goal is to have the food truck on the road in the next month. Follow Dirty Birds’ Facebook page for updates.

The origin of the name Dirty Birds has several stories behind it.

“Since we are doing mock chicken tenders once the food truck is up and running we wanted a name that went with that,” she said. “Plus, Ken and I are both the Year of the Rooster, and he owns a ’64 Thunderbird.”

Lueth has a degree in horticulture and works part time at Independent Tattoo, which Richter owns, and does cleaning services for a medical practice. She started creating plant-based recipes after starting a vegan diet four years ago.

“I’ve wanted to grow food for people and make food that’s presented in a different way,” she said. “I like taking comfort food and making it into the plant-based version and (having it) be as equally awesome. … I can make something really good, and it’s good for you too.”

Love food trucks? Here’s your complete guide to the 2022 season