A mobile eatery delivering Irish fare is winning over the hearts and appetites of folks in San Francisco, drawing comparisons to a “Supermac’s on wheels”.
In a picturesque blend of tradition and street food culture, the Hungry Leprechaun serves up quintessential dishes like curry chips, spice bags and soda bread. Larry Griffith, a Galway man, along with his partner Megan, launched the venture last year.
The Irish Star US has been all praises, highlighting their success in touring the Bay Area with their truck and whipping up grub for private gatherings. With some days seeing orders skyrocket into the hundreds, the business is clearly sating a need.
The concept of an Irish food truck had been cooking in Larry’s mind for quite some time, and with no similar offering in the city since the Copper Kettle Irish Café shut down a few years back, he knew the idea had legs.
“It had been in my head for over three years to do it and last year we said we’d finally go for it,” shared Larry with IrishStar.com. The truck, sourced from a Sacramento duo who previously served pasta out of it, marked the start of a busy year of prep that Larry describes as great fun.
With a nod to Supermac’s, The Hungry Leprechaun dishes up all the classic chipper favourites anyone could desire, including taco fries, garlic fries, chicken burgers, not to mention scrumptious hot chicken rolls and breakfast rolls.
Everything is locally sourced and made in-house, including the sauces and bread. The Hungry Leprechaun hired the former chef of Sláinte in Oakland following the restaurant’s closure last year. The venue was renowned for its food, especially its authentic Irish fare.
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Chef John now prepares food for The Hungry Leprechaun six days per week, and will soon be moving into the kitchen at the United Irish Cultural Center. There are weekly specials, such as stews and shepherd’s pies, and baked goods like scones and brown bread. Fish and chips is the most popular dish so far; the team sold over 50 pounds of fish last weekend alone for the Irish center’s Winter Féile.
The Hungry Leprechaun is open on Great Highway & Taraval St near Ocean Beach on Thursdays and at Vincente & 28th Ave near Parkside Square on Sundays. The team is also usually posted at the United Irish Cultural Center for big events, and St Patrick’s Day is set to be a busy time. Private hire for Christmas parties also proved popular last month.
“The Irish people love it but we’ve also gotten huge support from the Irish American community, especially from people who have travelled to Ireland in the past and loved the food,” said Larry. “Our curry is also really popular with Indian people in the community.”
Larry, who settled in San Francisco 12 years ago and is a welder by trade with his own concrete company, had no prior experience in the food industry before launching The Hungry Leprechaun. Megan, whose parents hail from Ireland, is also new to the food business and continues her job as a kindergarten teacher.
“We both work seven days a week now but we knew that would be the case. You have to commit into it to really hit the ground running,” Larry commented. “And it’s going great. We’re getting loads of requests and things are selling out. It’s all about word of mouth and everyone has been brilliant.”
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