You've been Hunger Struck

A passion for cooking has turned into a new business venture for Adam Lux.

The Hartley man this spring opened Hunger Struck, a food truck that will soon be seen at events and other locations throughout the area. Lux had a soft opening in downtown Hartley on Memorial Day and it went better than he anticipated.

"I sold out of everything except I think I had two jumbo hotdogs left," he said. "It went really good for just putting it out there a day or two before that I was going to be there."

Cooking has been both a hobby and a source of income for Lux for most of his life. He helped his father, Steve, operate his cafe and catering business growing up, learning the ins and outs of the food service industry in the process. He's also cooked at other locations and has most recently helped run the kitchen at Meadowbrook Golf & Country Club.

Lux also enjoys making food for friends and family when he's off the clock.

"For a lot of people, cooking and making supper is the last thing they want to do when they get home at the end of the day," he said. "For me, it's kind of my zen and what relaxes me."

Lux has been eyeing his own food truck for the better part of a year. Originally, his plan was to convert an old tool truck into a fully equipped kitchen on wheels, but that changed when a friend informed him that the Round Lake Vineyard had its food trailer for sale.

"I penciled out the cost of redoing the tool truck compared to buying the other one, and it was kind of a no-brainer," he said.

Lux still has the truck, though, which he plans to use to haul Hunger Struck as well as storage for the business.

Having already served as a kitchen under its previous owners, Lux's trailer didn't need many improvements – it came fully loaded with a four-burner stove and oven, 24-inch char broiler with flattop, two-basket fryer and a pizza oven.

However, he ended up making a couple of unexpected upgrades after the trailer's freezer and cooler went out prior to opening. Those were replaced last week and the trailer is ready to start slinging food to the masses.

"It's very good and I've been happy with it," Lux said. "I was hoping to be open about a month ago, but things happen and everything got pushed back a little."

Lux intends to serve ribeye sandwiches, burgers and jumbo hotdogs or sausages early on, with plans to expand the menu as he sees fit.

"Those will be the mainstays, and we'll probably have chicken breast sandwiches or something like that on there," he said. "I'll offer some extra dishes based on what I'm feeling, too, I'm sure. The trailer is versatile."

Lux has been contacted by business owners throughout the area who've offered up parking space to accommodate the trailer when he wants to cook there. He also plans to bring it to various locations like summer celebrations and similar events once he gets going full speed.

On Saturday Lux will have his grand opening at Meadowbrook Golf & Country Club during a tournament at the rural Hartley course. He was excited and looked forward to seeing where the new venture leads.

"I hope to run it almost every day that I can," he said. "Whenever, wherever – we'll go where it needs to go."