New Smoker Hoping to get started in Nebraska

[scheermuslc11]

Hello All, My Name is Eric, I am from Nebraska as well, and have been grilling and smoking for a few years now, not professionally yet, although thats what hope to be doing within the next year. I would LOVE to have my own food truck or smoking/ grilling restaurant, preferably food truck.i know those are traditionally called barbecue restaurants, but most of my stuff i dont use barbecue sauce on with the exception if a side(pork n beans) or 2, I just keep it on the side thst way people can ad the amount they want.) I guess i would call my style more of a "smokehouse" style for lack of better term.
The question I have is, what is the fastest and easiest way to get a food truck going in nebraska, especially when funds are very limited at the time but I need to get it going ASAP and get away from my current job( which is not the main reason but a big reason) the main reason is I LOVE to grill and smoke food and cook for others and i am best at grilling and smoking style as opposed to indoor style cooking, and when in that industry i see so much potential in being able to help people out as well.
my 2nd big question is what EXACTLY in common terms s are the laws for food trucks in nebraska. I keep getting tokd to go to our extension website and look, but they way they have it worded is SO confusing. So I woukd be grateful for any advice on thst as well. Thank you so much. I appreciate any advice.

 

[BigW.]

Welcome. Check with local health dept and city regulations. As you know, food trucks are just starting to be more popular here. Several are even in the same spot daily which never used to happen. I'd stop by one of your favorites and talk to them. Not a ton of BBQ trucks so you got that going for you.

 

[normanaj]

Hello from RI.

 

[scheermuslc11]

Welcome. Check with local health dept and city regulations. As you know, food trucks are just starting to be more popular here. Several are even in the same spot daily which never used to happen. I'd stop by one of your favorites and talk to them. Not a ton of BBQ trucks so you got that going for you.

Thank you for the tips. I appreciate them. Also I am interested in maybe doing a few festivals in town nearby as well. I was wondering how it works with that.
Is it just check with each city separately or what? Also, are there many inspections to worry about?And are they a pain?Or are they not too bad i don't know why those make me nervous for some reason.Even though I know how to cook food safely and everything

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I'm no help with Nebraska food truck regulations, but welcome aboard. I feel sure someone here can help you...

 

[Brokenhandle]

Welcome from Iowa! Not alot of help but if you don't understand what the website says I'd start making some calls and have it explained to you. I don't know the laws for Nebraska but might end up being state and local regulations to follow.

Good luck!
Ryan

 

[DougE]

preferably food truck. I know those are traditionally called barbecue restaurants

We always referred to food trucks as roach coaches lol!

I don't really have any advice on how you should get started, but welcome from Kentucky.

 

[scheermuslc11]

We always referred to food trucks as roach coaches lol!

I don't really have any advice on how you should get started, but welcome from Kentucky.

Is that kind if like "Roadkill Cafe" lol

 

[DougE]

Is that kind if like "Roadkill Cafe" lol

Probably similar

 

[sandyut]

Welcome to SMF! No idea how to run a food truck. But I do like to eat

 

[PolishDeli]

Based on a quick google search, you will need to obtain a:
Business License
Mobile Food Facility Permit
Public Health Permit
Food Seller's Permit
Liquor License (obviously optional)
Employee Health Permit

To "get it going ASAP" you can buy an existing business.

Running a business is a lot of work. This won't be fast and easy venture. It seems that you have a lot of homework to do. Consider writing (or at least reading) a business plan or two.

The small-scale, fast, and cheap way to test the waters is to look into Nebraska Cottage Food Laws. This will let you bypass all the permitting stuff, but you will NOT be allowed to sell meat products.

 

[jcam222]

Very broad set of questions. Sounds like a lot to learn between now and opening any type of food business. A great piece of advice I've heard given us a love of cooking doesn't always make for a successful food business. In fact I've talked to some where it destroyed the love of cooking. I'm not trying to be harsh or discourage you , just something to think about. It's a business at the end of the day and needs managed as such. Much of my comments are based on my original idea to do this when I retired. I did do a ton of research on regulations and product margins and talked to others. I ended up passing on the idea. If you move forward just do a ton of research AND prepare a business plan. The number of food endeavors that make it is dwarfed by those that don't

 

[DougE]

A great piece of advice I've heard given us a love of cooking doesn't always make for a successful food business. In fact I've talked to some where it destroyed the love of cooking

Not a business for me at all but even the holiday cooking can take a toll. I find it much more enjoyable to cook what I want, when I want and not be nailed down to a schedule.

 

[scheermuslc11]

Based on a quick google search, you will need to obtain a:
Business License
Mobile Food Facility Permit
Public Health Permit
Food Seller's Permit
Liquor License (obviously optional)
Employee Health Permit

To "get it going ASAP" you can buy an existing business.

Running a business is a lot of work. This won't be fast and easy venture. It seems that you have a lot of homework to do. Consider writing (or at least reading) a business plan or two.

The small-scale, fast, and cheap way to test the waters is to look into Nebraska Cottage Food Laws. This will let you bypass all the permitting stuff, but you will NOT be allowed to sell meat products.

Yes i actually have my cottage food safety certificate from

Not a business for me at all but even the holiday cooking can take a toll. I find it much more enjoyable to cook what I want, when I want and not be nailed down to a schedule.

Thank you I appreciate that to, I am trying to find my best place for sure and what i can be successful at, inhave 2 huge passions and they are food and playing musical instrumens. I play 7 myself and am self taught on all but 2, i akso have a small piano tuning business but i love playing instruments and making music more, the bigger passion of food or music being music, but a huge passions fir both , but for music i am not able to travel unless it's very close travel likenannhiurnirn2 or less, due to family circumstances, I am old enough now I NEED to get my career decided and get where I am going and stay there and it needs to happen quickly as I am in NOT a good situation at work, plus can't see myself in any other areas, at least that I know of, possibly something with nature/ maybe real estate photography? Something inyave considered as well but its definitely one if those 3 and music feels like the biggest one thst pulls me, but I can't figure out how to get it going, i am an instrumentalist so thst makes it difficult, I can't sing( I would.clear a room.if I tried to haha) and funds are EXTREMELY limited and always will be until I get going on my career. The other big thing is I want to be self employed and that is a HUGE part to me to

Not a business for me at all but even the holiday cooking can take a toll. I find it much more enjoyable to cook what I want, when I want and not be nailed down to a schedule.

Not a business for me at all but even the holiday cooking can take a toll. I find it much more enjoyable to cook what I want, when I want and not be nailed down to a schedule.

 

[millerbuilds]

Welcome to SMF from North Texas. As stated above, regs are different by state, county and sometimes municipality. I agree with what B BigW. said, I would go chat up with other food truck owners in your area, I am sure there are some out there that would enjoy helping someone get into the business (and some that may not).

Good luck!

- Jason

 

[912smoker]

Not sure where you're located but pretty good pocket $$ can be had on the music scene if you're willing to have multiple gigs a week. Get in with the right guys and you can play as much as you want.
Just like in cooking for the masses, you have to get out and make it happen.
Good luck on your journey from an old , now fill in only, bass player.
Now filling in with the "High Mileage Band". They chose that because all of the members have lots of miles and the check engine light is on

Keith

 

[scheermuslc11]

Not sure where you're located but pretty good pocket $$ can be had on the music scene if you're willing to have multiple gigs a week. Get in with the right guys and you can play as much as you want.
Just like in cooking for the masses, you have to get out and make it happen.
Good luck on your journey from an old , now fill in only, bass player.
Now filling in with the "High Mileage Band". They chose that because all of the members have lots of miles and the check engine light is on

Keith

Thank you for the tipI am in rural nebraska, and csnt travel much at all do to family situation, my main instrument is piano, I like to play melody and chords by lead sheet and I improvise the left hand as I play,ni play mostly worship music but also older country (90's) and oldies, like 60's and 70s thst era also holiday music, I'm not into rock and roll, rap, pop or hip.hop whatsoever so that's why I am having a harder time (the traveling wirh my music )and also.i am.looking tonget into whatever I go to full.time, self employed nitnjust pocket money I enjoy playing music with others but it's been so long since I have and my taste is so unique, I'm not sure if I could or not. I may be wrong I don't know.. again I enjoy playing along with others, it's just been so long and my tastes is so different so many it makes me wonder. but I do know people like the way I play. It's just figuring out how to get it out there