New food truck brings a taste of the mountains to Evansville
EVANSVILLE – Summer 2023 has been the Season of New Food Trucks, and there's another to introduce. It’s Shortstacks Kitchen, a truck with a taste of West Virginia in the sourdough bread, smoked meat and country sides – and no, it doesn’t serve pancakes.
The truck is named after the owner, Christa Chambers. Her nickname is Shortstacks because she’s under 5 feet tall, so a friend suggested that’s what she name her truck.
More: Evansville-area food news: 11 bits of food news for you this week
She and her husband Andy moved here from Charleston, West Virginia, about 14 years ago with their three kids. She’s always enjoyed cooking for her family, and had friends who would ask if she’d cook a little extra for them from time to time. She knew cooking would be a good business for her when she had time to start one. The truck has been running since May with Christa at the helm and the rest of the family helping out.
What’s on the menu?
Homemade sourdough bread is a big deal to Chambers.
“It was one of those things we grew up with,” Chambers said. “When we moved here, people talked about it when I made it, because it’s something you don’t see so much here, especially not on food trucks. All the sandwiches on the menu are served on the homemade sourdough bread.”
The smokers on the truck are electric and can be converted to ovens, so she can bake 30 loaves of bread at a time if necessary.
Speaking of smokers, the ribs and pulled pork are seasoned with Chambers’ secret-recipe rub and smoked right on the truck. She prefers to eat it without sauce, but there is sauce available if you would like it.
The pulled pork is used to top the Loaded Mac n Cheese and Loaded Pork Nachos.
The Hillbilly Chicken Bites come from West Virginia, as well. It’s not a traditional dish, but it’s what Andy made when he grilled out back home. Chunks of chicken breast are wrapped in bacon, then cooked on the smoker and served drizzled with barbecue sauce.
Andy’s Mushrooms are another family favorite − they're button mushrooms that are seasoned, then smoked to cook.
Other sides include ranch pasta salad, baked beans and potato salad. Everything is homemade.
Watch for specials on the menu from time to time. An Italian-style stromboli wrapped in a fresh scratch dough is sliced into serving portions and served with homemade marinara sauce for dipping. Baby back ribs are occasionally offered, and with cooler weather approaching, soups will hit the menu.
Watch the Shortstacks Kitchen Facebook page at for times and dates of service or call 304-380-8835 for more information.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Shortstacks Kitchen brings smoked meat, sourdough bread to Evasville.
