Tag: Green Street

Posted on by

Southern Food Truck, Mama Roux, Takes Up Residency at The Dive Bar

Southern Food Truck, Mama Roux, Takes Up Residency at The Dive Bar

Jonathan Demoga’s food truck might be brand new, but the relationships that built it certainly are not. The custom trailer, Mama Roux, will take up residency in The Dive Bar’s beer garden this summer, serving southern cuisine. Demoga gained expertise in New Orleans cuisine while working for the Brennan Family (of James Beard notoriety) and envisioned coupling that experience with his time spent working on food trucks in Austin.

Mama Roux was built by Cart Concepts International, a manufacturer Demoga’s father came across years ago as his vision began to take root. When his father, John P. Demoga, passed in 2015 after a courageous battle with ALS, he felt compelled to make his dream a reality.

Demoga, a graduate of Johnson & Wales, returned to Worcester during his father’s illness and began working at Armsby Abbey for local restaurateurs, Sherri Sadowski and Alec Lopez. Upon hearing Demoga’s aspirations, Lopez saw an opportunity for synergy. He had long imagined offering food at his Green Street establishment, The Dive Bar, but with new projects in the works, he knew that he would have to put his trust in someone else. Demoga immediately rose to the challenge.

“He makes great comfort food. His heart and soul are in New Orleans and I know that will be reflected,” Lopez says.

Demoga is making a point to curate his favorite staples from different corners of the South for Mama Roux. Case in point, two aged Benton’s Country Hams are currently en route from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. “The ham is intense and salty with a real campfire taste. True terroir,” Demoga explains. He plans to serve it with pickles from Regal Crown on Mason Street in Worcester and creole mustard from New Orleans. Other opening menu items will include a gimmick free smash style cheeseburger, a Sichuan take on Nashville Hot Chicken, Gumbo Ya-Ya Poutine, Shrimp & Andouille Jambalaya croquettes, a variation of Pimento Cheese with smoked gouda, aged cheddar, roasted jalapeno, green onions, and pecans.

If all goes according to plan, the truck will open for business Thursday-Saturday starting at 6p.m. and eventually expand its hours. For the time being, Mama Roux will live exclusively at The Dive Bar.

Posted on by

New Space for a Worcester Favorite In Table Talk Pie’s Pie Store

Table Talk Pie's New Retail Storefront on Green Street in Worcester, MA.

Worcester’s bakeries are churning out some inventive pies but nothing beats a good ol’ fashion slice from America’s favorite pie makers. At Table Talk Pies, making pies isn’t just about sweet goodness but also the company’s “unwavering commitment to producing the highest quality pie possible” and sharing it with the city they call home.

At Table Talk Pie's Pie Store, they can take "just the pie" and making it something more.
At Table Talk Pie’s Pie Store, they can take “just the pie” and making it something more.

While Table Talk Pies has been yelling, “fresh pies… get your pies here,” since 1924, its rebirth stretches over two decades and with the introduction of the 4-inch snack pies, there was no way Table Talk Pies wasn’t going to be a part of the Worcester food Renaissance. “This has been a long time coming,” says Caitlin Enck, store manager of the new retail location on 153 Green Street. “We want customers to come in and enjoy our pies and be able to embrace the Canal District, our history and what we have in store.”

Serving up warm flaky apple pies topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle is only but one of the many ways long-standing Table Talk Pie fans can indulge their inner childhood. “I’ve been eating Table Talk Pies for over thirty years and they have been a favorite of mine since my very first bite,” says a local patron. Wrapped with large wall size-windows and embracing its history with vintage photos of the founders, Theodore Tonna and Angelo Cotsidas, the new retail location is anything but a hole-in-the-wall. Staying true to its original style, the retail store offers both the classic 8-inch pie and 4-inch pie in all flavors, ranging from apple to blueberry and pineapple to peach. “We want this space to be family-friendly and we have some great things in store for everyone, especially the kids. We want this new space to be used for events like our ‘make your own pie’ days,” says Enck.

It’s been a long time since pie lovers had a space to call home but with the new location and 50 cent pies, Table Talk Pies will be the new nesting ground for all pie enthusiasts.