Hello everyone and happy Thursday! We have some delicious news to share with all of you today! A new food truck is coming to St. John! And it gets better… It will be parked at Hansen Bay, so you can have great food with a beautiful view! Sounds pretty good to me!
The food truck is called Captain Awesome Yummy Eats on the Beach, and it is being launched by Hali and Rick Millson. It’s a family affair, Hali said, with her stepson Bryce – also known as Chef Red – acting as the truck’s main chef. Bryce worked as a chef at one of the top barbecue restaurants in Dallas prior to coming to St. John, and he plans to serve Texas-style tacos at the truck, so you know that’s going to be delicious! Hali and Rick’s son Smith, 13, served as the inspiration for the truck’s name, as he often goes by Captain Awesome in the Millson household.
One thing that I find to be pretty amazing about the Millson family is that they moved to St. John just two weeks prior to Hurricane Irma … and they’re still here. So a big kudos to them for that. Hali said the family has been vacationing here for the past 10 years, and it is the only place where their son Smith, who has autism, ever seemed truly happy. So they decided last year to sell the family business; Hali quit her job as third grade teacher; they sold the house; and the family moved to St. John.
Hali said they never thought twice about leaving island following the storm, and said that the storms actually brought their family closer together.
“We aren’t going anywhere,” Hali told me Wednesday night.
You’ve gotta love that spirit. 🙂
Captain Awesome Yummy Eats on the Beach opens officially this Saturday, May 5th. It will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The food truck is located on St. John’s East End at Hansen Bay beach, which is just a few miles east of Coral Bay.
Jen, thx for the heads up. we’ll be there next week so we’ll give em a try.
Well that’s simply awesome! Coming down at the end of the month and looking forward to views and tacos!
You had me at, “Hello.” Definitely will make a note to stop by when we’re there in June. Got to support a fellow Dallasite. BTW, which BBQ restaurant did Chef Red work for here in Dallas?
PECAN LODGE
Heck yeah! That makes your food truck a must do then. Thanks for responding. Look forward to stopping by in June.
For those not familiar with Dallas, Pecan Lodge isn’t just a BBQ restaurant…it’s an experience! Really, really high end award winning bbq. They really know how to smoke meat!
Best of Luck to you “Chef Red” and your whole family, including “Captain Awesome”. What a nice story.
Thanks Jen for another great read. Read your Blog almost every day.
I wonder what type of permits were needed, how difficult it was to get them??
We got the correct and legal permits needed. Health, DPNR, Code Enforcement, Fire just to name a few. Hard but worth it. If you have any questions, please stop by or comment on Hansen Bay Beach Facebook page for more info, thanks for your inquiry.
Thalia, great to see that you are up and runnin’ with a new food place, can’t wait to try it. We’ll be back next week to see you and try the BBQ.
Really glad you and your cousin are doing well, and the beach looks great.
Stacy and I will be looking forward to hangin’ with you again.
Mike and Stacy from Denton (Dallas area) Texas
Hi Thalia,
I will be by to support soon!!! I have questions !!
We will definitely stop by in August when we visit. Kudos to you guys!
Such fun news and great idea. Vie’s was so successful -wishing you guys the very same. See you in a couple of weeks. Any chance you can post a menu or will it change every day?
We happened to be lucky enough to be on Hansen Beach this week for some trial samples of the Awesomeness endeavor. OMG such deliciousness! Loved everything they brought out. Home less than 12 hours (Western Massachusetts) and had to run out and get some fixings for tacos and guacamole! Can not compare but I gotta try! The truly Amazing thing is the beautiful blend of the already warm Hansen Beach atmosphere with great, fresh food and great people. This has always been our favorite beach anywhere based on beauty, warm turquoise water, underwater sea life and the amazing people that welcome you and treat you like family. Good luck to all- Thalia, Donia, Hali, Rick, Smith, Red, and all the folks there helping- thanks so much for letting us celebrate with you!! See you soon!!
From one New Englander to another ( northwest corner of Connecticut). We’ll take your word. We’ll be there in November & again in March. My mouth is watering now !!!!!! Thanks for the taste test !!!
We love Hansen Bay Beach and so glad they will have a food truck!
When we come back, we will definitely try it! Best of luck to you
Count me in for a July visit!! Best of luck!!!!
Great news! We love that beach! We’ll be down there in December with a big group and we’ll check it out.
Forgot to ask- is there anyone selling adult liquid refreshment or is it a byob -no glass naturally- situation?
Headed down the end of July staying in a villa called East of Eden from what I can tell it looks like it is right down the road! Can’t wait to stop in for a taste!! Have a feeling I may be there everyday for lunch
Yay! Congratulations! Is there parking? Is this the same end of Hansen as Vie’s?
Amazing NEWS!!! Jack, Elizabeth and I can NOT be more excited and Happy For everyone!!! My Family is bonded to Hansen 4 Life and can NOT wait to be there again !!! Congrats congrats congrats!!!!! #TexasMadeHeart#HansonBayHEARTBEAT!!!!!
From another Dallasite….Plano actually….we will be on STJ in 2 weeks & we’ll definitely be stopping by for this! We Texans need our BBQ fix! Looking forward to meeting everyone! Hello to all from the Lone Star State!