CRESTVIEW — A mix of Cajun and American cuisine forms the basis of the menu at Kay's Kurbside Café, a food truck started last fall by owner Karon Winder.
The mainstays on the menu are Cajun shrimp po boys, fried or grilled Chino Cajun chicken sandwiches, the All American Burger, and the Boss Lady Burger.
The chicken sandwich is named for her dog, Chino, a Shih Tzu-Yorkie mix who loves chicken.
"He is spoiled rotten," she said. "He is a mess."
Winder also offers a veggie burger, a Bulldog bratwurst sausage, and Cajun sausage with peppers and onions. Sides include french fries, battered onion rings and sweet potato fries. There is also Taco Tuesday, and weekly specials that run the gamut from Cajun specialties to meatball subs.
The food is spicy, she said, but doesn't overwhelm taste buds.
Winder grew up in Tennessee and started baking when she was 9, after being inspired by her mother and grandmother.
"My mom and my grandma always taught me cooking. My mom was always in the kitchen. I've always had a passion for it. I like hosting," Winder said.
The Mardi Gras-themed food truck grew out of the parties she liked to throw for family and friends.
"My friends would say things like, 'Oh your food is so good. You should cater. You should cater!'" she said. "But in the state of Florida you can't cater out of your home, so I was looking for an option to get it out there and be able to give people my food.
"My pleasure is seeing you take a bite out of your sandwich … or tasting that po boy and saying, 'Oh, this is just like in Louisiana.'"
She had it confirmed when people from Louisiana complimented her by asking if she stole their recipe.
"But when you love what you do and you cook with love, I think it comes out in your food," she said.
She formed a business plan, and she and her boyfriend Eric Stevenson came up with the name.
Kay's Kurbside Café can be found in the Main Street Eats food truck section of Main Street. It's located in the alley between Desi's and the HERO special needs center. They offer delivery to businesses along Main and Wilson streets on Mondays.
Hours are from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays. Winder said hours will be extended in the summer.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Passion for cooking leads to Cajun-themed food truck