'Hayden's Oof-da Tacos' Brings Traveling Food Stand Back to Bemidji | Lakeland News

Duration: 2:36 517 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

Hayden's Oof-da Tacos has returned to downtown Bemidji this week, bringing its mobile food stand and familiar menu back to the community after a brief absence. Unlike traditional restaurants with permanent storefronts or dining rooms, this operation runs out of a kitchen on wheels that travels across Northwest Minnesota, moving from fairs and festivals to various pop-up locations. The reporter observed the setup process as the trailer parked, transforming into a fully functional kitchen capable of serving customers for the duration of its stop before packing up to refuel propane tanks and head to the next town. The signature dish, known as an Uffda Taco, is a unique item that often requires explanation to new visitors. It consists of a piece of fried dough cooked in soy oil, which is then topped with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, cheese, tomato, black olives, sour cream, and optional additions like onions, jalapeños, or their signature liquid fire sauce. This week marks a significant expansion for the business as Bemidji represents a newer location for them; aside from appearing at the Beltrami County Fair, they have rarely set up in parking lots in this area, making it an exciting opportunity to test new venues and engage with different local demographics. The mobile nature of Hayden's Oof-da Tacos offers distinct advantages over stationary eateries by allowing the business to reach a wider audience across various towns rather than being limited to a single demographic. For customers, particularly those with short lunch breaks, the food truck provides a fast, simple, and easy dining option that supports the local economy by keeping dollars circulating among community businesses. The owner expressed enthusiasm about participating in major local events like county fairs, viewing these gatherings as vital parts of their schedule that allow them to serve diverse groups of people while celebrating regional culture. Currently, the traveling business is operating with a fitting Northwoods backdrop, situated right across from Lake Bemidji, offering diners a scenic view alongside their meal. While this specific stop in Bemidji is just one part of a much larger travel schedule, it highlights the company's commitment to bringing fresh food options to towns that might otherwise lack them. As the lunch rush picks up, the stand draws not only people seeking a quick bite but also those who appreciate the convenience and community spirit of supporting a small business that moves from place to place, ensuring that no matter where they park, there is always a reason for the operation to keep moving forward.

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Hayden's Uffda Tacos is back in Bemidji this week bringing its traveling food stand in a familiar menu to downtown. Reporter Ryan Fleming stopped by as the window opened to see what keeps customers coming back. >> There's no dining room or permanent storefront here, just a kitchen on wheels that moves from fairs and festivals to community events and pop-up locations across Northwest Minnesota. And wherever it parks, the main menu item usually needs a little explaining. >> So, an Uffda Taco is a piece of fried a piece of dough that we fry in a fryer with soy oil, and then we top it with your regular taco toppings. So, we start with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, cheese, tomato, and then black olives, sour cream, and then we have optional onions, jalapenos, mild, and our liquid fire sauce. >> Once the trailer is parked, it becomes a fully functional kitchen for however long that stop lasts, serving customers before packing up, refilling the propane tanks, and heading on to the next community. Well, almost forgot my tacos. They don't stay in one place for long. This week, Hayden's Uffda Tacos is back in Bemidji serving up its signature tacos one stop at a time. >> Bemidji is a newer location for us. I know, or at least to my knowledge, they have never set up here in a parking lot other than just doing the Beltrami County Fair. So, it's that's another thing it's kind of fun to be able to be able to try out new venues in different towns and see how it goes. >> As the lunch hour picks up, the stop starts drawing more than just people looking for a quick bite. For some customers, it's also a chance to keep their dollar circulating among businesses in the community. >> I think it's amazing that my Bemidji has the food trucks come here. It's super it's simple it's super fast and easy for people that have a short lunch break, so it's awesome. And small businesses need to support other small businesses. >> For a business built to move, the road is part of the model. Each setup puts the stand in front of a different mix of people and gives the operation a reason to keep moving. >> I think one of the main benefits is being able to go to all the different towns and serve all the different people. Um if you're in one spot, you're kind of limited to your demographic. With our uh traveling food stand, we're able to make it to all the local fairs as well, and so those are big events for us. Um and it's it's great to be a part of those things. >> But Bemidji is one piece of a much larger schedule, and this week the traveling business is serving customers with a pretty fitting Northwoods backdrop, right across from Lake Bemidji. Reporting in Bemidji, I'm Ryan Fleming, Lakeland News. >> Lakeland News is a nonprofit news organization. Donate to Lakeland PBS today to support your local news team.