Today we’d like to introduce you to Shadan Kishi Price.
Leila’s Food Truck is owned and operated by Shadan Kishi Price. Shadan has been a resident of Denton, Texas since 2004 where she lives with her husband, two cats, and two dogs. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2008 with a degree in Visual Arts Studies. She taught art for a short time but realized that food was her passion.
She went back to school and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Texas again in 2013 with a degree in Hospitality Management. She has been a proponent of the vegetarian lifestyle and cuisine since 2007 and knew that she wanted to take this love for vegetarian cooking and open a food establishment where she could share it with the community.
In the past, she has worked as the sous chef/supervisor at the vegan dining hall on the UNT campus and she has also taught cooking demonstrations at both Natural Grocers and Lifetime Fitness. The truck is essentially an extension of Shadan’s personality. Shadan was born in Iran and moved to Texas when she was two.
Being an Iranian in Texas meant learning how to combine the best of both cultures, which is exactly what her food offers. It combines the exotic flavors of Middle Eastern food with the traditional classics we all know and love.
Leila’s food truck is committed to serving the community and has spearheaded many fundraisers and donated to many charities such as Refugee Services of Texas, Serve Denton, Denton Animal Shelter, and many more!
Leila’s food truck recently won an award for “most unique menu” at the Food Truck Championship of Texas… beating out 51 other trucks!
Has it been a smooth road?
For a time I was the only female food truck owner in Denton. Being a female in the food truck industry which is predominantly male has been an interesting ride… no pun intended.
Running a food truck comes with its share of unforeseen issues as well, like the time last year when I had to have the entire engine replaced… or the time I was driving down the road, and one of the refrigerators came unhooked from the wall and started rolling to the back of the truck!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Leila’s food truck story. Tell us more about the business.
We are the only vegetarian/vegan food truck in Denton.
We specialize in Middle Eastern fusion cuisine, with popular menu items such as:
-gyro which is made with our homemade seitan (plant protein)
-grilled cheese with Muenster and feta cheeses, roasted red grapes, and honey
-falafel burger
-potato poppers which are essentially fried mashed potato bites with middle eastern spices… brown on the outside and soft on the inside.
I’m proud to be both a minority and female-owned food truck.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We have been open for just over two years and have recently broadened our services to cater for businesses. We hope also to start selling our more popular food items in grocery stores in the near future.
Pricing:
- Truck items range from $3-$8.50
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.eatatleilas.com
- Phone: 972-978-7454
- Email: leilastruck@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/leilastruck
- Facebook: Facebook.com/leilastruck
- Twitter: Twitter.com/leilastruck
Image Credit:
Brad Holt, Elahe Refahi
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