Storm Riders Grill Rolls Through Huntington Woods

One silver lining of the recent economic recession was that many people, including Rick "Storm" Farkas, dared to dream big and take risks they normally wouldn't.

Farkas' gamble paid off in the form of the Storm Riders Grill food truck, which was open for business last week in Huntington Woods during the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Farkas said for many years he worked as a building contractor in the summer and a truck driver in the winter.

"Finally, one day, you couldn't scare up a construction job. That's how bad it got in this country," he said. "I just decided to reinvent myself. I was tired of chasing work."

So, Farkas used wood from a 100-year-old barn to build the Storm Riders Grill food truck and turned an 18-wheeler into a mobile home that can tow the restaurant.

He and partner Judy Skemp, who have homes in Berkley and Alma, now provide catering services and travel to events throughout the region serving up collard greens, pulled pork, hot dogs, vegan sausages, handmade brats and more. 

Storm Riders Grill, which is in its first full season in business, uses a wood-burning fire and cast-iron frying pans, Farkas added.

Carol and John Lapp of Troy came back for seconds Saturday after visiting the food truck earlier in the week.

"It tastes fresh and not overcooked," Carol Lapp said as she noshed on a brat. "I have a problem with spice but it's not so spicy I can't eat it and you can add onions and peppers if you want it to be spicier.

"It just melts in your mouth," she said. "I took one one bite into it and it was so juicy that it spritzed my husband in the face."

Farkas said Storm Riders Grill could return to Huntington Woods or visit Berkley.

"We just roll around the countryside," he said. "We never know where we're going to be. We just know were we'll be the next weekend."