A Dream Come True
On Sunday, December 10, the 16th annual Gifts that Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair is back at the Farm & Home Center (1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster) from 10 am - 3 pm! Attendees can spend the day getting to know local organizations, non-profits, small business owners, and social entrepreneurs — including some incredible local food vendors, passionate about their work and their community.
Tell us a bit about yourselves: What is Walk-o Taco?
Walk-O Taco is a dream come true for us. It's how we connect with each other and with the community. We get to be creative and inspired while doing what we love. Our vision is to always serve up the freshest food with quality ingredients, to give the customer a welcoming experience where you can feel the love we put into each dish, and to give back to the community throughout the year.
What sets your food offerings apart?
We put a modern twist on familiar favorites. Primarily Hispanic foods, but we have incorporated many different cultures into our menu. We started with a scratch-made walking taco and have blossomed into a larger menu that includes customer favorite Taco Tots, soft tacos, and have done other items such as soups, tostadas, empanadas, and many more. We rotate our menu monthly to include seasonal flavors and let us get creative with new items.
What was your path to opening your business?
We had the dream of opening a food truck for a few years before getting started. I (Kristy) was a nurse working at a local hospital, and Lex was a chef working there, as well. After dating for a few years, and Lex having a few job changes, we decided to get serious about starting Walk-O Taco. He went full-time on starting the business, while Kristy remained a nurse. We started as a tent set-up in 2018. Low overhead and minimal risk, but we could get our product and brand out there. After a successful first year, and a lot of hard work in all elements, we found the perfect blue truck. Halfway through the first season on the truck, Kristy decided to jump in full-time, as well and left the world of nursing. Fast forward five years, Walk-O Taco has now been voted #1 Food Truck in Lancaster (by Lancaster County Magazine) for three consecutive years and has won numerous other awards, as well.
Why are you excited to participate in the Gifts that Give Hope Gift Fair this year?
Community-minded organizations mean a lot to us, personally and professionally. We enjoy participating in events that promote local, small businesses and fair trade items. We have known Jennifer [Oehme Knepper, organizer of the Lancaster Gifts that Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair] for almost the entirety of Walk-O Taco. She has always been a supporter of ours, and we are happy to be a part of her event.
The big one: Why do you do what you do — what is your driving purpose behind Walk-o Taco?
We do what we do because we truly love it. It sounds cliché, but it's 100 percent the truth. We love working together as husband and wife; we love the flexibility for our family; we love to get to know our customers; we love to see people enjoying our products. And — the obvious — we love food, all aspects of it—the inspiration, the execution, the history, the community. It is an honor to be part of the Lancaster food scene, something we are thankful for every day.
Additional food vendors at this year’s Gifts that Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair will include: Homage, Stroopies, Isabelle Cuisine, Cafe 301, Gourmet Julie’s Way, and Power Broths and others!
By: Maddy Pontz
