By Justin Ross
When it comes to food, the Miami Open is not a typical sporting event. Sure, spectators can go the classic route with a hot dog or popcorn, but the cultural diversity of South Florida gives the food originality.
One can walk 100 feet and stroll past Italian sausages, freshly pressed arepas or savory crepes. It doesn’t stop there. Feast your eyes on smoky BBQ ribs or gooey grilled cheese. How about a tropical piña colada?
We visited the four food trucks at the Miami Open to see what they’re all about:
Truck name: Killer Melts
Food type: Sandwiches
Owner: Kevin Hase
Where he’s from: Chicago
Best-selling item: The Caprese Melt uses creamy mozzarella and homestead, vine-ripened tomatoes.
How he got started: He was tired of working at The Cheesecake Factory.
If he could eat one thing for the rest of his life: Pasta Bolognese or Penne alla Vodka
Website: http://www.killermelts.com/
Truck name: Moty’s Grill
Food type: Mediterranean
Owner: Vicky Goldman
Where she’s from: Columbia
Best-selling item: Falafel and Lamb Kofta
How she got started: Her husband is a chef and he needed a job. She noticed food trucks were trending upward, so she opened her own.
If she could eat one thing for the rest of her life: Steak
Website: http://www.motysgrill.com/
Truck name: Mulbery1965
Food type: Italian
Owner: Ramon Burdier
Where he’s from: New York
Best-selling item: The NYC has thin crust, fresh garlic and fresh mozzarella.
How he got started: He was tired of owning an Italian restaurant.
If he could eat one thing for the rest of his life: Pizza
Website: http://mulberry1965.com/
Truck name: King of Racks BBQ
Owner: Anthony Garcia
Food type: BBQ
Where he’s from: Washington D.C.
Best-selling item: Several of his dishes use special rubs and family secrets. His ribs platter has homemade BBQ sauce and a side of special cream corn.
How he got started: He comes from a family of restaurant owners, and instead of opening his own, he felt a food truck presented less risk.
If he could eat one thing for the rest of his life: A Bacon Cheeseburger
About the Miami Open presented by Itaú
The 2017 Miami Open will be played March 20-April 2 at the Crandon Tennis Center in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA calendar, and features the top men’s and women’s tennis players in the world. The tournament is widely regarded as the most glamorous on the ATP and WTA calendars because of its exotic Miami location, thriving nightlife, five-star hotels and restaurants, beautiful weather and beaches, and its celebrity appeal. For ticket information, call +1.305.442.3367 or visit www.miamiopen.com.
About Itaú
Itau is the largest Latin America privately owned bank, with approximately 95,000 employees and operations in 20 countries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe. Itaú’s relationship with sport goes back to the 1970s, when Itaú first sponsored the Itaú Tennis Cup in Brazil in 1970. Itaú has been a sponsor of the Miami Open for the last six years, and also sponsors the Rio Open, the only combined ATP/WTA event in South America. Itaú also supports the Brazilian Women’s Tennis Circuit, only female professional tournament in South America, certified by the Brazilian Tennis Confederation (CBT) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as well as the Tennis Institute Training Center, responsible for the development of young, new talent.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 25 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; strategic partnerships with sponsors and brands; and marquee assets across sports, entertainment, events, music and fashion.
