We will keep on keeping on despite the "Sofrito Setback!"....
TURNING HEARTBREAK INTO HERITAGE, THE STOREY AND VISION BEHIND EMPANADAS EL COQUI...
Empanadas El Coquí was born out of a desire to bring true culinary excellence to Philadelphia. We are not just serving fast food; we are serving nutritionally dense, home-made hand pressed empanadas and traditional Latin foods that honor the vibrant heritage of Puerto Rico. Our mission is to expand cultural knowledge, partner with local businesses, create jobs, and build a vibrant community hub centered around exceptional food!
Here we will be solving a gap: Philadelphians, especially the 55,000 hungry university students in the University City neighborhood, demand quick, high quality, culturally diverse street food. There is a shortage of authentic, accessible empanadas and Latino foods in the mobile dining scene here. We just don’t see empanada food trucks in University City. Philly is world famous for its cheese steaks and roast pork, but we lack access to the rich, vibrant Latino culinary heritage and those savory treats – empanadas.
Food trucks are a central part of student life in our area. We are introducing to this demographic the story of Boricua heritage through every handcrafted empanada we sell.
Late last year, I wrote a comprehensive business plan, and I bought what I was told was a compliant food trailer except for the lack of water tanks/plumbing.
The seller represented that the trailer “Has passed Pennsylvania inspection many times.” I spent untold hours installing the plumbing myself and cleaning and upgrading the trailer only to be delivered a devastating blow by a professional builder: nothing about the trailer was legal or up to code. The required upgrades, including a grease-rated exhaust hood would cost an additional $15,000!
I was duped, exhausted, broken hearted and financially strained. But El Coquí does not stop singing when the storm hits. Although the loss of time, money, income, and heart invested was devastating to me, I took a couple of days off to lick my wounds and think things through. The Philadelphia Food Truck pro told me to consider just taking the hit and instead he would fabricate a code compliant, plan review ready (Philadelphia Dept. of Food Safety) truck for $25,000.
Faced with putting good money on top of a bad investment, I pivoted and took the smarter, bolder path. Presently, Empanadas El Coqui’s fully compliant, plan review ready truck is being fabricated at Philadelphia Food Trucks.
Pivot!
I refused to let my dream be stolen. I pivoted and put a big portion of my remaining retirement savings on the line. I contracted Philadelphia Food Trucks to fabricate a brand-new, fully compliant truck from scratch. It will be ready for its Philadelphia Department of Public Health plan review in just a few weeks. I am so firmly committed to this vision that if I must, I will over leverage a big portion of my remaining retirement savings to move forward.
That is the reason I am asking for help. By helping me raise funds, you are lifting the crushing financial stress off my shoulders so I can focus 100% on business development, community partnerships, and a successful launch.
REWARDS FOR YOU -CHECK OUT OUR REWARDS SECTION!
Your backing directly funds:
- A portion of the cost of the new truck
- Initial Premium Ingredients: Sourcing high-quality, fresh ingredients for our first month of heavy production.
- City Permitting & Licensing: Covering the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Plan Review fees and L&I Vending Licenses.
- Operational: Ensuring we have a cash buffer to pay for 1 full time and 1 part time employee during our first critical months.
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We already have much support! My second in command is Laurie Bogutz, a good friend with a culinary background. Gabriel Gullbergh, my son, is a graphic designer with much knowledge. He has offered to build the EEC website and help with social media and online presence. My family and friends are behind me demonstrably and have already contributed! Philly Food Truck's Catering, is an organization that will procure catering contracts for us as a member business.
Thank You So Very Much!
Here we want to express our deep gratitude to
those who have supported us thus far:
Community Catalysts: Christian Gullbergh
Laurie Bogutz
VIPs: Gabriel Gullbergh
Val Germ and Sue Baguaio
Migdy and Mario DelValle
Teddy and Leisa Blackmon
Mickey and Mireja DelValle
Bob Young
Ralph Germ
Schimen Brown
Annonymous
Heritage: Lane Eib
Aliya Tuesday
Schimen Brown
Gabriel Gullbergh
El Coqui Fan: Anne Neighbor
Daily Menu & Weekly Revelations
Excellence is in the craft. Every single day, the truck will serve up our signature, perfectly seasoned staples: Savory Beef, Tender Chicken, and vibrant Veggie varieties. But we are also bringing culinary artistry to the streets. Every single week, we will debut a limited-run rotation of:
- The Weekly Savory Special: Think deeply flavorful, slow-braised beef rib empanadas tucked into crispy dough.
- The Weekly Sweet Special: Decadent combinations of fresh fruits and rich, melted cheeses for the perfect dessert empanada.
Perks
A heartfelt thank you on our social media pages and a voucher forr a 3 empanada combo meal.
A limited edition EEC T-shirt and a voucher for a 3 empanada combo meal.
A "Skip The Line" pass valid for 3 months and 2 empanada combo meals
An exclusive private or vitrual empanada making cloass led by Chef Liz where you will taste and learn the secrets of these savory treats.
Your name permanently, artistically added to the exterior of the truck plus a catered party for up to ten people. Great for family, friends, and work places.
A heartfelt thank you on our social media pages and a voucher forr a 3 empanada combo meal.
A limited edition EEC T-shirt and a voucher for a 3 empanada combo meal.
A "Skip The Line" pass valid for 3 months and 2 empanada combo meals
An exclusive private or vitrual empanada making cloass led by Chef Liz where you will taste and learn the secrets of these savory treats.
Your name permanently, artistically added to the exterior of the truck plus a catered party for up to ten people. Great for family, friends, and work places.
