A Truck Load Of Comfort - Perogy Boyz By Dan Clapson If there’s one thing worse than the dead of winter, it’s a lack of comfort food. Luckily for diners around town, one of Calgary’s original gangsters (when it comes to the food truck revolution, not an actual gangster) is here to keep you full. The boyz owner, Curtis Berry, was raised a bonafide perogy lover. “As a good Ukrainian who grew up on hand-pinched perogies, [this was] the immediate choice for a food truck.” he explains, “Perogies are what I know, what I love, and you can usually only get them around the holidays. I wanted to change that, hence ‘Perogies to the People!’” His truck has been rolling since late summer 2011, and the menu, offering anything from the traditional potato cheddar or sweet carrot cake perogies to a borscht any Baba would approve of, can hit the spot at any time of year. Along with bringing these pockets of potato-y goodness ‘to the people’, Berry and his team are also for the people. “We have done events for 20 people as well as events for 200!” Berry points out, “We have
done weddings and customer appreciation days...We plan on being around for the long haul and without these contacts and relationships we would be just another truck.” With the amount of competition that’s growing in Calgary’s food truck scene, it’s important to stay on top of your game.
‘Perogies to the People!’ “There is definitely a loyal base with people’s favourite [truck].” Berry says, “Sometimes it’s us and sometimes it’s not, but I always enjoy hearing others’ experiences.” There’s no doubt that Perogy Boyz remains a stand-out in the city because of its Ukrainian-inspired offerings. Pizza and sandwich trucks may be a dime a dozen (not saying that they can’t be delicious) these days. So it goes without saying that finding a niche and running, er, driving with it is can be the key to success.
With the new year comes some new changes within Perogy Boyz; original partners Brendan and Shawn Greenwood of Taste are no longer involved with the truck due to a new business venture, but Perogy Boyz will happily continue to truck along. “The food truck business has been a great learning experience for me and I have learned many things along the way.” says Berry, “I think the most important thing I have learned is that people want quality ingredients, reasonable prices and food served in a timely fashion.” Like any good restaurateur, on wheels or grounded, he couldn’t be more right. Though most of the menu will be changing very soon, the boyz will no doubt continue to satisfy. Also, in case you’re wondering, Berry promises that their signature bacon gravy is here to stay, as is the borscht. Phew! To have a peek at The Perogy Boyz new menu and for event bookings, head to perogyboyz.com. If you’re jonesin’ for some eats right this minute, then find the truck on twitter, @perogyboyz, to see where they’re headed today. culinairemagazine.ca
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