Two new food trucks, Finger Foodies and Graze, will soon join St. Louis’ fast-growing mobile restaurant industry. Esther Kim is set to open Finger Foodies Monday, June 16, while Amelia Timms has moved her Memphis-based food truck Graze to her native St. Louis.
Finger Foodies will specialize in fried Korean dumplings and other Asian fare, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. Kim grew up in the restaurant industry; her family has operated multiple restaurants over the years, including one currently located in Springfield, Missouri. Kim is the first one in her family to step into the food truck business.
“There’s not a food truck here that really focuses on Korean dumplings,” she said. “Everything is handmade, and they’re traditional recipes. We made a little bit of an adjustment, but they’re all my mom’s recipes.”
After debuting in Ferguson on Monday, Kim said she plans to make arrangements with Scott Air Force Base in O’Fallon, Illinois, and various spots downtown. Patrons of Finger Foodies can expect a diverse menu including the traditional dumplings; an Oriental chicken salad with lettuces, crispy noodles, tomatoes and house-made Asian dressing; and a breaded chicken dish tossed in sweet-spicy red sauce and a creamy white sauce sitting atop a bed of rice.
While Finger Foodies focuses on Korean, Graze specializes in global street food inspired by what Timms and her husband Rick experienced around the United States and Europe during his service in the Navy. As reported by the Riverfront Times, Graze emphasizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and menu items include a turkey and artichoke panini and grilled chicken served on naan doused with Creole sauce.
Timms, who has worked in restaurants, catering and as a personal chef, frequented several food trucks during her family’s time in San Diego, California. When they moved to Memphis, Timms decided to open a mobile eatery of her own, and Graze rolled out in late 2012. Now, their truck is making the move north. Both Timms and her husband were born and raised in St. Louis and wanted to come home.
“We love Missouri,” Timms said. “It’s beautiful. You know, when you haven’t lived here in a long time and you come back, you see it with a new set of eyes. I love it here. Midwest people are like no other.”
Timms hopes to being serving in Franklin County in July and hopes to obtain permits for St. Louis County by the end of the summer.
This article appears in June 2014.