Belleville, St. Louis chefs plan food truck that serves ‘amazing burgers and shakes’
That old saying that too many chefs in the kitchen spoil the broth — or burger, in this case — doesn’t seem to be an issue for a new food truck opening this month.
Soul Burgers is a new collaboration between chefs Christi Robertson and Bryan Scott.
Robertson owns and operates C and C Food for Your Soul, a soul food restaurant at 1926 W. Main St. in Belleville. Scott is the owner of Doggie Mac’s by Chef B, a St. Louis-based food truck famous for its baked mac and cheese and gourmet hot dogs.
Operated as a food truck, Soul Burgers will specialize in “amazing burgers and shakes,” according to a recent press release. Their signature burger, The Soul Burger, is a “double smash burger topped with white cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, [Scott’s] famous fried mac and cheese, and [Robertson’s] collard greens,” said the release.
Doggie Mac’s included a brick and mortar restaurant at 5622 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, that closed at the end of April. Scott kept the location, which is currently being used as a home base and prep area for the food truck.
Many of Doggie Mac’s food truck appearances are in South County at 9 Mile Garden, whose own website describes it as a “family-focused entertainment district and home to Missouri’s first food truck garden.”
The beginning of a beautiful partnership
Around the time that Scott decided to close the restaurant, he was already searching for a way to continue growing his business. He asked his longtime friend Robertson about working together, and the pair agreed to join culinary forces for a new project: Soul Burgers.
When asked what it was like to approach Robertson about starting a business partnership, Scott said it was “a little nerve-racking” because they’ve been friends for so long. He said that friends and business don’t always work out, and he was concerned about potentially damaging their friendship.
Robertson said when Scott asked about working together, her reaction was, “Partnership? Are you serious?”
She took some time to think about it and didn’t give Scott an answer right away. “If I was to do business with anyone, it would be him,” said Robertson.
“I do my own thing,” said Robertson, who described herself as an independent and successful business owner, adding that the more she thought about it, she realized she and Scott usually “vibe on the same page.”
She felt a new opportunity that brought together two successful business owners could bring them more success.
Robertson said she was “born and raised on burgers,” but “the part that made me more convinced” about the partnership, continued Robertson, was the truck that Scott found with a setup that includes two fryers, a flat top grill, a freezer and all the space they would need.
Doggie Mac’s food truck will continue to operate once Soul Burgers launches.
Doggie Mac’s has a general manager and assistant general manager who will operate that truck while Scott and Robertson operate the Soul Burgers truck. Scott says the two will mostly work together in the beginning, since Robertson is new to food trucks.
Scott said that in many cases, two chefs plus one stove is a problem.
“You have to really, really, really be OK with yourself” and the other chef’s culinary ability to share a kitchen with them, he explained. He acknowledged that they both have their own ideas but that there’s much respect for each other and a foundation of friendship that “was built years ago.”
“Bryan has his way; I have mine. But we have the same common goal and want each other to succeed,” said Robertson.
Robertson will continue to operate C and C Food for Your Soul as she has been. “Business is going very well,” said Robertson. “The community has treated me well since day one.”
Hours at C and C Food for Your Soul are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Scott feels that he’s lucky to be starting a new business with Robertson, especially since many businesses are hurting for employees right now.
“Christi made it possible,” said Scott.
What’s on the menu:
Scott said the menu has not yet been officially posted but would include:
The Soul Burger: This signature menu item is a total collaboration between Scott and Robertson. The double smash burger is loaded with white cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, Doggie Mac’s mac and cheese and Robertson’s signature collard greens.
The Triple D: Triple smash burger with American cheese, Triple D sauce (their own take on Thousand Island dressing) and fried onion rings
WTF (What the Fish): Breaded and deep fried salmon filet, banana peppers, hot sauce, tartar sauce and lettuce
Shake Yo Tailfeather: A Kenrick’s chicken burger patty with pickles, lettuce and tomato
Specialty shakes: Strawberry cheesecake (includes a whole slice of cheesecake), Honeybun (includes a whole honeybun), Oreo cookies n’ cream, and more.
Where to find Soul Burgers:
Soul Burgers will hold two soft openings, the first on Monday, Aug. 23 in a public parking lot next to 401 Mascoutah Ave. in Belleville, and the second on Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 326 N. Main St. in Columbia. The times for both events will be 5-8 p.m.
Soul Burgers will officially open for service the week of Aug. 30 at 9 Mile Garden, 9375 Gravois Road, Affton, Missouri. For information about bookings, email soulburgersandshakes@gmail.com. Visit the Facebook page for additional information.
This story was originally published August 15, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
