A Henderson-based food truck is dedicated to the owner's late son

Jennifer Croft looks out the window of her truck, Jenn's Rockin Eats, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
Jennifer Croft looks out the window of her truck, Jenn's Rockin Eats, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.

HENDERSON, Ky. − Jennifer Croft always wanted to have a restaurant, but never found the right time to start the journey.

Then, in June 2020, Croft’s son Ian Cosby, 17, and her 18-year-old nephew Alec Cavins passed away in a car accident.

“I kind of went a little crazy,” Croft said. “I quit my job and I was like, I need something. I need something.”

The "something" turned out to be Jenn's Rockin Eats.

Croft and her family sank themselves into fixing up a food truck. It took two years to get it running. Croft’s husband and brother jumped in to finish building it with her, and the whole endeavor ended up being a tribute to Ian. He loved to play the guitar, so the name Jenn’s Rockin Eats and the logo of the guitar player are signs of how their thoughts dwelt on him over those years.

The idea was to stay busy, and that, certainly, has happened. The truck is out multiple days each week around Henderson. It can be found at lunch hours on Tuesday at different locations, on Wednesday and Thursday (usually) at O'Reilly's Auto Parts on Green Street, and on Friday at Sweet Pea's Gift Shop on Kentucky 60 east of town. Look for it at events and workplaces, as well.

Keep an eye on the Facebook page for exact places and times of service, as they can change.

On the menu

The Cuban Sandwich is a favorite − Croft makes her own citrus and garlic mojo sauce, which she rubs into the pork before slow-cooking it. The pork is pulled for the sandwich, which is layered with ham, a mild and creamy mustard sauce, provolone cheese and sliced pickles, before being layered on a hot, toasted bun.

A Cuban sandwich with slow roasted pork, ham, cheese, pickle and creamy mustard sauce on a toasted hoagie roll from Jenn's Rockin Eats on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
A Cuban sandwich with slow roasted pork, ham, cheese, pickle and creamy mustard sauce on a toasted hoagie roll from Jenn's Rockin Eats on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.

The meatloaf sandwich is made with beef meatloaf mix formed by hand, then pattied and baked like regular meatloaf. At service time, it's heated on the griddle with a special sauce to brown the exterior and get a little sticky.

A chicken Philly sandwich completes the everyday offerings, made with sliced chicken, melty cheese, fresh onions and green peppers on a hoagie bun.

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Other specials that have made appearances on the menu are a shrimp po' boy, pulled pork, fried bologna sandwich, grilled chicken wrap, and banana pudding.

EVC Jenn's Rockin' Eats truck Henderson, Ky.

  • Phone: 270-831-9900 for more information

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Jenn's Rockin Eats is a food truck in Henderson, Kentucky