After starting out with only a tent and a grill for what he described as a “Friday gig,” Rondae Hawker recently launched his mobile Hawker’s Burger Shack and Grill near the former Waterchris Hotel and Bar on Waterloo Street where he started.
During an interview, Hawker explained that he went from preparing approximately 30 pieces of barbeque with macaroni at the hotel and bar to now catering for at least 100 customers on a busy day.
“The food sold itself,” said Hawker, who had been operating at the site for approximately 12 years.
Hawker noted that after the Waterchris went downhill, it was his operations that kept customers coming until the owners were forced to sell in order to pay their debts.
In late January he began working out of his food van near the former location, operating from 12 midday on Wednesday to Saturday.
He credited his success to being able to offer a variety to his loyal customers as he pointed out that his menu has evolved over the years to cater to them while they encouraged him to keep expanding.
Hawker added that over the years the business became popular for its pasta, which he said was a signature dish along with the burgers that sparked the business.
He also think his seasoning and the preparation of the dishes are also key things to his success. “Showing everything love and doing it with a good heart, if you are putting out your best expect someone to receive the best,” he said.
Hawker now operates with three workers at his food van, where he focuses primarily on doing the grill work.
He noted that the business means the world to him and as the source of income for his family he will focus all his energy and attention on it, while hoping that it continues to grow.
