Fayetteville pitmaster finds redemption through soul food

Chandler Rivera opened the So Truck'n Good food truck in January 2024 and has combined soul food service with community givebacks, including a grand opening that distributed food to neighbors.

Chandler Rivera opened So Truck'n Good in January 2024 and has used the food truck as a way to connect with and serve his Fayetteville community. He grew up around home cooking and learned entrepreneurial habits early while helping his family. Rivera built the truck after earlier small businesses and faced setbacks, including investing about $23,000 and failing an initial health inspection before opening. He describes his cooking as rooted in soul food and sees service as part of his work. Key details: - So Truck'n Good opened on Jan. 4, 2024, and serves traditional soul food alongside signature items like a Bourbon Chicken Pineapple bowl and cornbread bowl. - Rivera invested roughly $23,000 in the truck build and encountered a failed first health inspection that he said pushed him forward. - He has partnered with other local business owners for community events, including a Thanksgiving giveaway, and participated in a grand opening that gave away over 100 pounds of chicken and 50 pounds of fish. - Rivera typically operates between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and often sets up in the US Foods Chef'Store parking lot. - Family influences and early odd jobs shaped his path into cooking and entrepreneurship. Summary: Rivera's work combines pitmaster skills, soul food traditions and community service, and recent events provided meals and other support to neighbors. He intends to continue growing the food truck business and remaining active in local community efforts.