More Than Your Average Food Truck
Lancaster’s annual alternative gift fair is back on Sunday, December 11! Head over to the Farm & Home Center (1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster) from 10 am - 3 pm to browse the Gifts that Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair — and meet many folks behind local organizations, non-profits, and socially-conscious small businesses.
Ready to make an already great day absolutely amazing? A number of local food vendors will be on-site offering up truly delicious fare.
Meet one vendor from this year’s fair: Julie Armstrong, owner of Gourmet Julie's Way! Armstrong is passionate about offering something totally unique from her food trailer — and she can’t wait to serve up some delicious comfort-food classics and seasonally-inspired dishes at this year’s alternative gift fair.
What is Gourmet Julie's Way, and what is your vision for the food truck?
Gourmet Julie's Way is "not your average food truck" because we do not specialize in one specific item as most trucks do. My goal is to open a restaurant one day, but—until then—I strive to provide restaurant-quality meals on the go from my food trailer.
Everything from my trailer is scratch made — right down to the condiments — which is one of the main things that sets us apart. We are a one-stop shop for beverages, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. My main menu consists of a variety of specialty fresh-cut fries, handmade burger sliders, salads, a chicken salad sandwich, a beef tip grinder, a meatball sub, a delicious five-layer pie, and more.
Although that is the traditional menu, I love switching it up based on the season. You can find more comforting items, such as a deconstructed chicken pot pie and a stuffing waffle smothered in turkey gravy during the fall. I love to switch it up, so there is always something new to try when you visit my trailer.
What was your path to opening your business?
I didn't wake up one day and say, "Today, I'm going to start a business." It just happened. After high school, I worked at the Pressroom Restaurant in Lancaster for two years. My dream was to be a chef and open a restaurant one day. I quickly learned that being 18-years-old and cooking in a restaurant was not a great way to make a living and afford an apartment, so I decided to go back to school to have a more secure future.
I went to HACC for two years and then transferred to West Chester to earn a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. My senior year of college, the pandemic shut everything down. I had a ton of time on my hands being stuck at home, so I thought about a way to get back into cooking. I was selling food to friends and family, and figured a Facebook page would make taking orders easier.
On June 1, 2020, I created my Gourmet Julie's Way Facebook page. I made biweekly menus and delivered the food to my customers. What I was doing exploded! People I didn't know started ordering, and eventually, I switched to monthly menus because so many people wanted to order and I simply could not handle that many deliveries in two week periods. What started out as something fun to do quickly blossomed into a full-on business. I gave up my future as a dietitian to pursue my dream of having my own food business. I went through all of the necessary steps, bought my food trailer, and I have been loving life ever since!
Why are you excited to participate in the Gifts that Give Hope Gift Fair this year?
I participated in the Gifts that Give Hope Fair last year and it was a blast! I'm excited to be back and help give back in any way I can.
The big one: Why do you do what you do — what is your driving purpose behind Gourmet Julie's Way?
I am Gourmet Julie's Way. Without my business, I would be a completely different person. I am living a dream I never imagined would become a reality. The support I've received since starting my business is incredible. I've had people tell me that I’m making a difference in their lives because of what I do — and that's why I continue on.
Every compliment, rave review, and award I've received is proof that this is what I'm meant to do in my life. They always say that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. I wouldn't give this up for anything. I truly love what I do, and am so happy that I have the opportunity to continue to live out my dream each and every day.
Additional food vendors at this year’s Gifts that Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair will include:
Homage, Stroopies, Isabelle Cuisine, Cafe 301, Walk-O Taco, and Power Broths.
By: Maddy Pontz