5 September, 2008: ... but if I don't write it down I'll forget everything. And I know this will be useful to others someday. I was always skeptical when people said things like "you're going to have to deal with licensing" as though it was a huge hurdle. I was wrong. Here's a summary of the city and state licensing… Read More
4 September, 2008: I've been having trouble with parking this week. Last week the truck was getting the ventilation installed. Next week the body work will take place. This week I'm babysitting. So I decided to pull into the Home Depot parking lot this morning and install the LP gas tank. I figured I had everything I needed (generator, etc.) and could… Read More
3 September, 2008: For those interested in the details, here's a quick summary of how these vegetable oil conversions work. Apparently the diesel engine can run on vegetable oil just fine, so long as it is (A) the right temperature (~150°F), and (B) doesn't contain water or particles. It seems that (B) has more of an impact on the… Read More
13 August, 2009: From the beginning one of our primary goals has been that our food satisfy our customers. Not stuffed, but full. We've had a few misses (there was a body builder and friend who complained loudly on the website, one of our regulars still "double fists" our sandwiches daily). But for the most part we've nailed this. And… Read More
3 September, 2008: Today I drove the truck down to Walpole, MA to meet with Mark at SVOlink (formerly alt energy oasis, www.svolink.com). Mark used to do vegetable oil conversions of diesel engines and now focuses on processing and selling vegetable oil. He took the time to show me his box truck conversion, his processing facility, and talk me through… Read More
2 September, 2008: So this is still a stand-in for the real logo for the food lab, but I'm sort of digging the lettering on the truck. John Hong (SSD) was commenting on how it's sort of a neat effect, and I think I'm liking it too. Possible direction for the type for the food lab? I like that it… Read More
1 September, 2008: I've done a ton of research into step vans. Over the coming week I'm going to post it here for all you curious about Grumman, Utilimaster, and P-30s. Getting us started I thought I'd put up a quick note on types of rear doors I've seen. We're trying to decide how best to treat the back of… Read More
1 September, 2008: I met with Jinhee and John of Single Speed Designs today. Phil, who is going to handle the design/build joined us as well. It was a ton of fun. I talked too much, gave a tour of the truck, and asked some questions. John and Jinhee showed me some of the ideas they have been working through.… Read More
24 September, 2008: This is Rolando Robledo, Clover's chef. We're absolutely thrilled to have him on board. Rolando found his way to Clover by way of The French Laundry, the Waldorf, and most recently, Johnson and Whales as a professor. He's going to be working the food truck with me full time for the first 6 weeks and we're going… Read More
29 August, 2008: What do you think of this for the side of the truck? Comments welcome. Here's an older one. This image dates to the day after I first thought of the food lab idea: Read More
29 August, 2008: See that big toe? Last night I dropped the LP gas tank on it. I think it might be broken. Anyway, it kept me from surfing this morning. I guess this is why people wear steel toed boots. I was actually looking at some the other week but couldn't find any not in leather, so didn't buy.… Read More
29 August, 2008: I couldn't pass inspection without the name of the business, city, and phone number on both sides of the truck. This lettering has to be 2" tall. Since the entire truck is going to get torn apart and re-built in a few days, I kept this simple. These letters were $2.48 for a package from Dickson Brothers.… Read More
29 August, 2008: Can-Am Auto of Hartford, CT, the place that sold me the truck, isn't covering the kingpin repair. I'm protected by the law, but they wont budge. I think I'll have to bring them to small claims court, but for now I paid for the $1,300 repair myself. The truck is now in top shape and has passed… Read More
26 February, 2010: I made the trek down to Berkshire Products. This place is about as far as you can get from Boston and still be in MA. But they mill some of the most beautiful wood anywhere. It's just amazing. I've always loved wood. In the context of Clover I think wood can bring warmth to what is going… Read More
28 August, 2008: This is a logo Brooke helped me draw. This was from 2 days after the basic idea was hatched. Here is the picture the logo was taken from: Read More