From car racing to food trucking: Auto shop owner offers 50 combos in patriotic, custom truck

JACKSON, MI — Tom Tolles grew up in the food industry at his parents’ restaurant, the Wooden Spoon in Spring Arbor Township.

His career took a different direction when he got into racing cars, which landed him a job in management at Phelps Towing in Leoni Township. Eventually, he owned his own shop, Mechanix Automotive Service Center at 3101 E. Michigan Ave. — immediately recognizable because of the blue car on its roof.

With a strong staff in place, the shop ran itself, giving Tolles the opportunity to revisit his roots by building a food truck. The Great American Food Truck has been operating since the end of 2024, with friends and staff Stacey and Hayden Foster running the kitchen, Tolles said.

Tolles takes pride in offering a large menu, compared to most food trucks that keep things simple, he said. People can craft up to 50 different combination options, starting with a base, adding a protein and topping it with cheese or sauces.

“If you’re going to a food truck with a family, and junior wants this, mom wants that and dad doesn’t like that, you’re hitting three or four different food trucks,” Tolles said. “If I can give you an option on one food truck, I feel like it’s a better deal.”

Base options range from mashed potatoes, nacho chips, French fries and macaroni and cheese. Protein include shaved steak, pulled pork, ground beef and chicken tenders.

Cheeses range from American, sharp cheddar, pepper jack and parmesan. Customers can also add sides of sauces, such as ranch, honey mustard, barbecue and garlic aioli.

For those that are indecisive, Tolles lists the top sellers on the side of the menu. The most popular is No. 232, macaroni and cheese topped with pulled pork and sharp cheddar.

People love it because of the macaroni and cheese, which is made with cheddar, white cheddar and mozzarella.

“It’s super good, and our pulled pork is made fresh,” Tolles said.

Another favorite is No. 467 — Shrimp Po’Boy with fries. The toasted bun is topped with shrimp and parmesan cheese. Customers often pair it with a horseradish sauce.

People enjoy the truck’s patriotic theme. It is designed and wrapped with the American Flag, he said.

“It’s an awesome looking truck,” Tolles said.

The Great American Food Truck can often be found parked outside Mechanix Automotive Service Center, 3101 E. Michigan Ave.

Locations, schedules and updates on where to find The Great American Food Truck are posted on its Facebook page.

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