Alexander Alusheff

Lansing State Journal

LANSING – Meat is going mobile.

The popular Old Town barbecue restaurant is launching a food truck on March 17 during the St. Patrick’s Day Block Party at Ellison Brewery and Spirits in Meridian Township.

“We just couldn’t keep up with the capacity for our catering,” said owner Sean Johnson, who started the business nearly five years ago. “We thought of opening a second location, and this was the next possible alternative.”

The menu has yet to be finalized but most items in the restaurant will be served on the truck, Johnson said. There will also be vegetarian options. Prices will remain the same. The truck will also tow a smoker behind it.

After the Ellison block party, the truck will remain at the brewery, located at 4903 Dawn Ave., for the next few months, operating there Wednesday through Saturday, Johnson said. The hours of operation are still being worked out, but will likely follow Ellison's. After that, the truck will travel across the region and state.

There are other local examples of food trucks pairing with breweries that don’t have kitchens. During the winter months, Good Bites operates out of BAD Brewing Co. in Mason and Detroit Frankie’s Wood Fired Brick Oven stays outside Ozone’s Brewhouse in Old Town.

“It’s an inexpensive way for people to get the funky food you would normally get at a sit-down restaurant and still get the brewery experience,” Johnson said.

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Meridian Township passed regulations to allow food trucks in January 2016. Today, a handful have been licensed to operate, said Mark Kieselbach, the township's director of community planning and development.

El Oasis and From Scratch Food Truck are the only ones licensed currently. Johnson said he will purchase a license for Meat soon. Daddy's Little Grill was licensed last year.

Kieselbach said it's up to food trucks to partner with a business willing to let them operate on their property.

"It's a way to keep businesses vibrant," he said. "I think it gives people an alternative. Some of these food trucks have popular followings."

Meat has been working with Ellison for over a year, catering events.

"When they told us they we're opening a food truck, it seemed like a good opportunity for both of us," said Eric Elliott, co-owner of the brewery. "It's a good way for people to try their food who normally wouldn't and it helps us keep butts in seats."

Ellison is going through it's own expansion. It recently made a $50,000 investment to buy three fermentation tanks, said Aaron Hanson, co-owner of the brewery.

Ellison has tripled its capacity since it opened in October 2015, and the brewery's growth is one of the reason's Johnson decided to base his food truck there.

"It's like they've been open for years. They do a good job marketing their product."

During the block party next week, Meat's food truck will serve Irish food with a BBQ twist. Some dishes include bangers and mash and shepherd's pie.

"I'm sure they'll have a line all day," Hanson said.

Alexander Alusheff is a reporter at the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at (517) 388-5973 or aalusheff@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexalusheff.

St.Patrick's Day Block Party

Where: Ellison Brewery and Spirits

Address: 4903 Dawn Ave., Meridian Township

Hours: 9 a.m. to midnight

Admission: Free

Other info: All beers are $5

More: Facebook.com/ellisonbrewery