Many people dream of jettisoning their jobs and doing what they really want to do.
Amy Pohle and Tiffany Donahoe decided to depart the corporate world and start their own business.
A search of hottest future jobs included food trucks.
That prompted them to start The Lunch Bus.
“We both had corporate jobs, and decided we wanted to do something for ourselves,” said Donahue. “She talked about a food truck, and I thought that was something I had always wanted to do.”
The Lunch Bus started running Dec. 13, going to one place per day from 10:30 a.m. until Pohle and Donahoe are sold out. The Lunch Bus’ schedule and menu are posted on its website, thelunchbus.weebly.com.
Donahoe said business has “been real good considering the weather” and the fact that UW–Platteville was between semesters.
“Startup in December has been a little nuts,” said Pohle.
The Lunch Bus serves sandwiches and its version of tacos with bruschetta, plus fresh potato chips.
The Lunch Bus uses local suppliers where possible. Weber’s Meats in Cuba City provides the corned beef, and Roelli Cheese east of Shullsburg provides the cheese for the Roelli’s Reuben. Schurman’s Wisconsin Cheese of Beetown and Hook’s Cheese of Mineral Point supply the three cheeses for Schurman’s Gerb and Arlic. Bob’s Bitchin’ BBQ of Dodgeville supplies the sauce for Bob’s Bad-Word BBQ Pork. Other local suppliers include Montchevré and Lactalis Deli of Belmont and Forgotten Valley Cheese Co-op of South Wayne. The owners are also talking with a local bakery about supplying bread.
“Everything we make, we test,” said Pohle. “The reuben is outstanding; the Hook’s Beefy Truffle is outstanding.”
The Lunch Bus’ bus is a former small school bus, outfitted with a propane grill.
Pohle and Donahoe got assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a loan from the Southwest Wisconsin Community Action Program to start their business.
In addition to the daily stops, Pohle and Donahoe are looking to go to local events, including, this summer, Platteville’s Music in the Park Thursday night concerts. Their schedule is open Saturdays for events. They’re also getting into catering.
