ELK RAPIDS — Allie Gualco mentioned she and her mother Kristen Joppich dreamed of beginning their very own restaurant for a couple of years now.
Gualco labored about 10 years within the service business and Joppich ran a retail meals retailer. They opened Alley Cat’s Eats and Sweets in Could.
Joppich bought a Pepsi concession wagon on-line, and after some renovations, they stationed themselves at Townline Ciderworks.
“My dad did all of the build-out on it,” Gualco mentioned of the meals truck. “We stored it within the household.”
A few of the standard summer time menu objects included the pulled pork sandwich and a kale salad. Gualco mentioned the sandwich is made with Townline’s Alma Mater cider and is topped with coleslaw. The buns come from Widespread Good Bakery in Traverse Metropolis.
The kale — just like the onions, cilantro and different produce — is grown on web site. Gualco mentioned her household loved the salad, so she added it to the meals truck menu.
“It’s a hearty winter inexperienced,” she mentioned. “It lasts without end. We’re tremendous fortunate to have it available.”
Along with locally-sourced, seasonal components, Gualco mentioned they attempt to provide gluten-free and more healthy choices.
The menu adjustments typically however present company can order the roasted potatoes with melted raclette cheese. Its urged cider pairing is the CranPerry, a drier beverage made with cranberries and pear.
“It’s wholesome consolation meals,” Gualco mentioned. “I need to have a spot the place the entire household can come — whether or not you’re vegan or vegetarian or a choosy child. We’re attempting to supply contemporary, moderately priced choices.”
Joppich caters to the candy aspect of the enterprise. She makes the desserts — whether or not brownies or strawberry shortcake. Over the summer time, Joppich mentioned they featured her polenta pound cake with contemporary fruit.
Her specialty, she mentioned, is brown butter chocolate chip cookies. She makes some with gluten free flour and others with all-purpose flour.
“That’s our signature cookie that we serve on a regular basis,” Joppich mentioned. “It’s a extremely gooey chocolate chip cookie.”
One other gluten free dessert is the almond Florentine, which Joppich mentioned is made with blanched sliced almonds and egg whites. These biscuits, she mentioned, go nicely with ice cream.
She mentioned she additionally makes biscuits for his or her sell-out Sunday brunches. They’ve served biscuits and gravy in addition to a candy waffle and a savory waffle.
Mom and daughter agreed that their first summer time went nicely, as many shoppers tried their meals.
Gualco mentioned she hopes to host paella occasions subsequent summer time and beginning in Could, convey again picnic experiences in close by Altonen Orchards. Within the fall, they could resume making donuts.
Townline Ciderworks is open from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, 2-8 p.m. Friday, midday to eight p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to five p.m. Sunday. Indoor and heated outside seating is offered.
Alley Cat’s Eats and Sweets might have completely different hours, however it’s open Fridays by Sundays this winter. Sunday brunch goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Order from the meals truck, or name 231-883-5745 for takeout.
