"But when I came home with a truck a few weeks later, I guess he realized I was serious," says Kelly, who opened Hurricane Alley in 1996.
Kelly says her success as a destination location led her to develop a second concept she named Barnacles, what would be a smaller, Caribbean-themed joint with a Latin flare. When plans to take over the former Little House space at 480 E. Ocean Ave. fell through in 2010, she considered bringing her concept to nearby cities, including Lantana.
"I spent five years trying to find the right space, but rents were too expensive; parking requirements were unreasonable. It was too much of a risk," says Kelly. "A food truck seemed like a perfect option."
Now, Kelly is working with Boynton Beach to make the city more food-truck-friendly. After purchasing a truck six months ago, she's fought tirelessly to find a home for Chowder Truck-n-Snack Shack, as well as other daytime operating food trucks she hopes will join her when she begins serving later this fall. Talks with Boynton Beach's Tacos Veracruz are already underway, she says.
Recently, the City Commission approved
The idea, adds Kelly, is to create a family-friendly outdoor environment with a covered seating area, picnic tables, games, and even a professional volleyball court.
"I'd like it to be like a
Chowder Truck-n-Snack Shack will serve many of the same dishes she once planned for Barnacles, a short menu that includes soups and chowders as well as fresh guacamole, nachos, mac-n-cheese, and grillers (bigger than a slider but smaller than a traditional sandwich).
Keep an eye out for a special menu item known as "garbage fries" — what Kelly says was inspired after a city commissioner likened food trucks to garbage trucks. The dish has already received a lot of attention at the Brew at the Zoo event she attended several weeks ago: seasoned waffle fries loaded with jalapeños, melted cheese, bacon, sour cream, tomatoes, guacamole, and a spicy "boom boom" sauce.
Chowder Truck-n-Snack Shack is slated to open unofficially in September. If all goes according to plan, Kelly says she hopes to host a grand opening event in October with several food trucks, a volleyball
For now, find Chowder Truck-n-Snack Shack at the final Food Truck Safari event at the Palm Beach Zoo, where Kelly will be serving from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 22.
Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the New Times Food & Drink Instagram.