SmashMouth Burgers returning to its nomadic roots
After sitting next to the Big Chill Surf Cantina outside Rehoboth Beach for about a year-and-a-half, SmashMouth Burgers’ bright-green bus is heading back out on the road.
“We’ll still be in the area, but we’re going back to our roots. We’re going mobile,” said owner Nichole Parsons. “It feels great and the staff is ready to be back on the road.”
SmashMouth was founded by Nichole and Jamie Parsons in August 2020. Less than two years later, in March 2022, the burger makers parked the retrofitted bus permanently next to Big Chill Surf Cantina and brought online a second food truck. About six months after that, Jamie died after battling cancer.
Parsons, who has another full-time job, said Jamie had provided a lot of the labor associated with making the business work.
“It’s about surviving,” said Parsons. “It’s about trying to keep Jamie’s vision alive.”
The sign next to the parked bus informed customers that the move was imminent for about a week. Reaction has been mixed, but generally supportive, said Parsons.
Parsons said the bus at Big Chill needs a new transmission, so that’s the immediate issue that needs to be fixed. The goal is to get it back on the road in early 2024, she said.
When both vehicles are back on the road, SmashMouth will have more opportunities, said Parsons. It will allow for being two places at once, she said.
“We’ve had a lot of requests for events upstate, but weren’t able to accommodate those requests,” said Parsons. “Now, we’ll be able to.”
Similar to before, the best way to know where they’ll be will be is through the business’ social media platforms.
“We’re looking forward to bringing back the buzz of our customers seeing where we’re going to be next,” said Parsons.
While the original truck needs to be fixed, Parsons said SmashMouth’s second truck is up and running, and will be a regular at Schellville, behind Tanger Outlets Seaside, through the holidays.
For more information on SmashMouth, go to smashmouthde.com, call 302-557-6274, email events@smashmouth302.com. Check out its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
