Off the Rez, Seattle’s Newest Food Truck
The city gets its first mobile outfit serving Native American eats.
Posted by: Christopher Werner on Dec 06, 2011 at 11:52AM
15 Comments
Food trucks serve many purposes. They’re go-tos for a quick tasty lunch, start-up vehicles for cash-strapped cooks, a foundation for brand building. And some, like Off the Rez, fill the holes in the local dining scene.
The outfit of Mark McConnell and Cecilia Rikard, with Portalis sous Donovan Macinnis helming the kitchen, Off the Rez is inspired by Native American food—a cuisine long absent from menus here. McConnell grew up in Ballard on the Indian tacos and frybreads the truck will serve upon its debut in two weeks (give or take).
McConnell says he originally endeavored to open a restaurant but in January opted to pursue a mobile operation. He purchased the truck in April, and a buddy who builds custom motorcycles helped deck it out. A mural of a chief in a war bonnet wraps around one side. Flanking the back is a fellow smoking out of a peace pipe, a scene of Seattle behind him.
Off the Rez will hit all corners of the city. Possible stops include South Lake Union, Thursdays in front of Evo, Saturday mornings on 35th Avenue in Wedgwood, and late nights on Pike Street.
Vittles like pulled pork smoked for ten hours, a bacon burger, and those frybreads and tacos, slathered in homemade jam or chicken chili verde, should prove a welcome way to soak up an evening’s intemperance.
awesome seeing this a real treat. I have heard a lot native brothers and sisters share this same dream….CONGRATZ….
Have loved the food trucks and the arrival in Seattle, but sooo dissappointed by this one. So nice to see us taking a step back and marginalizing a community of people by painting a stereotypical picture on the truck! And lets not forget the piece pipe. Do you even know the history behind the food you will be serving? I love Indian tacos. But I will wait for authentic, native prepared, and not a “brand building” americanized food concept.
The history of fry bread? Is there such a thing? Given that indian tacos and fry bread are relatively new items to native american diets, I think you should just relax. If he were serving buffalo steak sandwiches, elk cold cuts, or salmon kabobs then I could see you giving a history lesson about this.
actually ANDI, Mark is my cousin….I am caddo from oklahoma….he knows more than you actually think, hes a very smart guy and i congradulate him on persuing his dream….why dont you try the food before you think next time…who knows mabey youll like it….his mom (my aunt) is more the native proactivly than you will ever be….look up and help chief seattle club ,help the natives grow and then youll have a say in things like this…he IS native. Did you know that before you spoke ? doubt it. I dance in powwows , I went to a native american school I KNOW he’s more native in heart ….Look at what hes doing!!! He could have opened anything, yet he chose native food…..that in itself is HUGE for all of us!!!!!! praise him, dont hate him cuz you havnt done what you thought about 20 years ago…..HOKA!!!!!!
@Andi. Perhaps you should brush up on your Native American history and celebrate the survival and strength that Indian Fry Bread symbolizes. What a powerful notion that Natives can be economically self-sufficient based on the rations that were given to Natives during the disastrous land re-allotment period in this country. The (tragically inadequate) rations of foreign foods (lard, flour..) that were forced on such Native reservation communities near death – was then used by Natives to create fry bread – now something that Native and non-Natives alike enjoy with good spirits. Proving to be yet another example of the strong, resilient spirit of Natives we see across Indian Country. While I may disagree with using the stereotypical imaging used on the truck – I refuse to allow Native culture to be limited static notion of the “pre-colonial” times – and hope that you also consider the Native history that fry bread represents to be equally as valuable.
Congradulations my man! sounds great. Stero type??? No no no no. White man puting it on there beef jerky = sterotype or there tabbacco = stero type Plains Native using a native in a plains war bonnet to promote them selves… thats dope. there is history behind food but no one must know it in order to create. Food is forever changing and the history behind it is not needed. smell taste texture visual… these are the things they must worry about.
I loved tasting fry bread for the first time at Pow Wows and at Canoe Journey celebrations. I am NA. Your food truck is beautiful and your menu is a nice change from all the Teriyaki and Mexican food places we are inundated with in Seattle. Thanks!
…Yes!! Yes!! Yes!! Iam soo excited about this food truck-its long over due,and i am.. A lenapi of the DELAWARE tribe,from oklahoma.. I also used to dance in powwows and i also worked the food stands at pow wows..And i fully support this truck,its art,food, as well as the people who run it.I PERSONALLY KNOW MARK-AS HE IS ALSO MY COUSIN…AND HIS FAMILY IS FROM BROWNING MONTANA.. BLACKFOOT.. IN FACT! We are so proud of him,and what he is doing.. I SAY GOOD FOR HIM..AND OUR FRIENDS WHO TOOK THE TIME,CHANCE, AND MEANS TO PUT OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY SOMETHING SO DEAR AND CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS, And stomachs! Anyone who has an issue with this truck is just being ignorant,jealous,and hating… WHY NOT BE HAPPY THAT OUR DELICIOUS FOODS ARE BEING PUT OUT THERE,TO SHARE WITH THE UNKNOWING… THIS IS NOTHING BUT -NATIVE PRIDE!!.. And.. He will continue showing his strength that derives from his roots…. Because…WE WILL ALWAYS BE PROUD OF WHO WE ARE… WHERE WE CAME FROM.. AND.. no amount of.. Jealousy will keep us warriors from our dreams..
have you opened up for sale yet? when and were? i def. will buy :)
I think some people need to calm down on this one. It’s not like they are running a sweat lodge and charging people $1000 per sweat while promoting some false sense of spiritual enlightenment. They are frying dough, serving it to people and making them happy. (hopefully) I’m pretty sure other natives who read this are thinking the same thing I’m thinking and that is “Hell yea!”. The fact that I can drive somewhere in the city and get an indian taco is awesome. Fried bread reminds many natives of good times like get together at powwows, family gatherings or hanging out around the arbor. As for the paint job on the truck, I think I have seen a few government houses painted that exact same color. The truck looks like it’s from the rez actually. The emblem looks like a tribal school mascot. As D. Fishinghawk stated in a previous post, it’s more important that the owners make the fried bread right. If the owners are natives, that’s great. If they are not, that ok too. Chefs don’t have to be the nationality of the cuisine they create. They just have to do it correctly for it to be appreciated.
They are also serving up diabetes which native ppl have enough of (thanks U.S. government rations, all part of white mans plan) hahahaha. Other than that what’s not to like? Can you serve that up with some good ol honey/powder sugar? If you haven’t noticed from my tone, I am Native. It’s in my blood to be cynical and sarcastic. Don’t get it twisted :)
It’s only diabetic food when you have it everyday and not be active. If I see you I will definitely support your business.
This is a great idea. my white friends are the ones who actually told me about this and that i have my own stand! aaay. i think this is great and best believe i will be coming by sometime as a connoissuer. people are going to have their opinions, but im glad to see it happen! way to go brothers and sisters that have made this happen!
All of us over here at Minor and James, Swedish Medical Center and First Hill Diagnostic Imaging loved your Indian tacos:) Thank You!
Food shirts words and dogs ….. that truck is sick!
Haters hate and skaters skate. Its great to see local art being put on display. Great work on supporting seattle artists……………….. Muchos Kieren Sublevar!
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