New food truck opens in Ketchikan, first since borough ordinance lifted restrictions
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On the opening day, food truck owner Tammy Bellanich writes down Jeff Orr’s order. (Molly Lubbers / KRBD)
For the first time in years there is a new food truck in Ketchikan. It’s the first to hit the scene since a local ordinance lifted restrictions on mobile restaurants in First City was passed.
Bright orange and box-shaped, the new sausage and french fries truck has a one-word name. But owner Tammy Bellanich says she spent months playing around with what to call it.
“After all, I just decided that people knew me and knew who I am and who I am,” she said. “So I’ll call it Tammy’s because it represents me. And I enjoy it. I want people to get together and have fun and laugh and talk and (the name) seemed like the obvious answer to me. “
The truck is really Tammy’s – it’s a one-woman business, along with lots of support from friends. Last Thursday there was a gentle opening with a steady stream of customers during the noon rush.
Serving antibiotic-free brats, freshly cut fries, and chocolate-dipped banana treats, Tammy tries to go the natural route. She just starts off but said she can change the menu based on customer needs. For them it’s less about the food – more about the people.
“It’s really cool that I’m in a place that advances people I never get to see,” she said. “That is exactly my goal: to see people and to reunite them.”
Thursday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tammy can usually be seen leaning out of her walk-in window, chatting with customers. This window also serves as a window into their community.
Tammy’s menu includes sausages, fries, and frozen banana treats. Click or tap to enlarge. (Molly Lubbers / KRBD)
Born and raised in Ketchikan, Tammy saw many familiar faces on her opening day. One of them belonged to Amy Webb who knew it Tammy for at least 30 years.
“I would describe them as funny,” said Webb. “Always good to laugh about, hardworking and always ready to try new things. She is not afraid. I think she’ll do really well. ”
Tammy’s home base is at Walmart on Don King Road, about four miles north of downtown Ketchikan. She plans to stay there for the time being, she said.
“I want to address the locals; the church, ”she said. “Where I am here isn’t really for tourists. I mean, I greet each of the visitors who come to Walmart, but I won’t try to go downtown on the docks. It’s kind of a cool place because I have the feeling that people come here and away from the tourists, if they want, away from the hustle and bustle. “
Long-time ward and council member Austin Otos was Tammy’s first client. Supporting Ordinance 1900-SA, which was passed last March, which essentially expanded when and where food trucks can be in Ketchikan, he was excited to see Tammy’s opening.
“I would even go to smaller towns in southeast Alaska and see food trucks,” he said. “For example, when I was in Craig, Alaska, they had a food truck meal called Fish and Chicks. And I thought if Craig can have it there. Ketchikan has to have it. “
Otos says he does not give the regulation full credit – and does not speak for the entire congregation – but says he is personally glad that it was passed.
While food trucks were never technically illegal in Ketchikan, there were many more restrictions on where and when they could do business. That means, prior to the 2020 regulation, only a handful of food trucks had popped up since their heyday in the 1980s.
Local historian Dave Kiffer points to Burger Queen as the last consistent food truck he can remember. But this restaurant hasn’t been on wheels in decades. Kiffer said when people started bringing food trucks downtown and competing with local businesses, he remembered restrictions being put in place.
“The main argument was that the existing restaurants were the stationary ones, they had certain fixed costs that the food trucks didn’t, ”he said. “And so there was unfair competition.”
The district’s planning and community development director Richard Harney says the ordinance has a process in place to guard against it.
“Under the new regulation, we now have the standards by which we can measure a food truck to ensure that it fits into the neighborhood,” he said, “and that it has no impact on brick and mortar structures negative.”
So far, Tammy is the first and only person to receive approval under the new regulation. But she said she hoped she can encourage other people to do the same.
“Maybe more people will get food trucks and we can build a community,” she said. “And as a collective we can move locations, try different things, offer more for the Ketchikan community. So I hope this is like a door that opens. “
Until then, Tammy will be at her food truck to greet people and serve food.
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