November 12, 2008

So what are we learning?

This post is just the beginning of a string of posts about some of our learnings. After all, we’re running this truck for the purpose of developing the best fast food menu ever. So what are we learning and what do people think?

First, it’s been a great test environment. Many of our customers are students or researchers. There are also a fair number of administrators and office workers from nearby Kendall Square. And finally we’ve been getting consistent visits from the MIT grounds keepers, which is great.

FRIES

I’ll admit that I was a bit nervous about the fries. I’d had a lot of people tell me they were a terrible idea, unhealthy and all. I was stubborn. Turns out they are absolutely key to the menu. First, they are the best fries you can get anywhere. Prince Edward Island Potatoes, as fresh as they can get, cut 1/4″ minutes before dropping in the frier. They are great.

Second, and most importantly, they are acting as the “gateway drug” for Clover eating. As Rolando says, who cares how healthy it is if nobody is eating it. Remember those grounds keepers I mentioned? It’s the french fries that brought them in. Second day they tried the mulled cider, and loved it. Then I was selling black bean soup the next day. I got a fantastic quote: “more of that sour cream… I’m gradual on this vegetarian thing.” I’m happy because nobody is being told that this is vegetarian food, but it’s clearly part of the intrigue, and people are trying the food and liking it. Just fantastic.

UNUSUAL SANDWICHES ARE OK

Third, some sandwiches that I thought would be hard sells (e.g., Eggplant and Egg, Soy BLT, BBQ Wheat Protein) are big big sellers. I don’t know if it’s because people are seeing others with the sandwiches, or they are just adventurous, but we’re selling a lot of non-traditional sandwiches.

JUST CUT AND LOCAL = DELICIOUS

Fourth, people are really, really responding to the whole concept. The food tastes great because it is great, our ingredients are fantastic, and the time from cutting to eating is about as short as any fast food has ever been. Our soups are made fresh. Our fries are cut fresh. Our chickpea fritters (falafel) are dropped to order. And people are really really responding to the quality. It’s great to see. I didn’t expect as much, certainly without a lot of marketing talking about what we are doing.

OPERATIONS

Fifth, I wont go into the details, but we’re learning a lot operationally about how to make this all happen. Certain changes to recipes have been made to speed things up without compromising the taste. We’re getting a great feel for the operational issues alongside the development of tasty food.

Recent Posts

December 4, 2023
These sweet potato latkes date back to early days on the Clover food truck. They’re so yummy and the sweet potatoes lend them such a fun golden color. They’re probably the most popular item in our Hanukkah Meal Box, which you can get delivered on December 7th. Inside the box you’ll find: 
November 29, 2023
I’m writing to share some news: we’ve decided to permanently close CloverROW, our outpost in the Assembly Row neighborhood of Somerville. The closure of this restaurant is part of the whole company’s focus on reaching financial sustainability and positioning us for future growth. These decisions are really hard, but they’re necessary steps for us to simplify Clover. And, happily, all the amazing staff at CloverROW, including the manager Joe, will be able to move into other Clover restaurants. The math is straightforward…
November 21, 2023
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. We will be closed Thursday 11/23 at all locations. For our kitchen team, it will be a good chance to rest after prepping a ton of Brussels casseroles for our Thanksgiving Box : ) As for the days surrounding Thanksgiving, we’ll be open normal hours, except for CloverFIN (Financial District) and CloverHSC (Harvard Science Center) which will be closed tomorrow and Friday. CloverHSQ (Harvard Square) will be closing early (at 8pm) tomorrow. 
November 16, 2023
I’m not a big believer in multitasking (which, in my experience, is doing a bunch of things simultaneously and badly.) But there’s a lot going on at Clover right now, so I had to break my No Multitasking Rule on Wednesday. I asked Michele and Greg on our Finance team if they’d mind if I took myself off video during a meeting to review Accounts Payable. “I have to draw a cartoon Delicata Squash,” I explained, reasonably.
November 16, 2023
Some of you have been asking for a sides-only box – and it’s true, sides are the best part, aren’t they? We’re making a limited number of boxes with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and King Brussels’ Casserole. Each Sides Box serves 6-8 people and can be delivered to your door for 11/21 or 11/22. 
November 9, 2023
The moment you’ve waited for is here. Western Mass Brussels sprouts are back in the restaurants, which means the King himself has landed! What’s on this glorious sandwich and why is it the King of all seasonal sandwiches? A dijon-mayo spread, smoked Grafton cheddar, fried Brussels tossed with za’atar (a Middle Eastern spice blend), pickled red cabbage, and toasted hazelnuts.
November 6, 2023
On Friday we had a company meeting with all our leadership to talk about a decision we’ve made about the future of Clover. We are all focused on putting Clover on solid financial footing so we can continue to make the food you love for many years to come. COVID changed everything for restaurants like us. The way we eat, drink, work, and get together has shifted substantially and, while Clover has seen a steady recovery in sales…
October 29, 2023
Julia here. Today, October 29, is Clover’s birthday! 15 years of perfect pita, crispy chickpea fritters, countless sandwiches that cycle with the seasons, and of course the occasional birthday cupcake. How lucky are we? Although I’ve been working at Clover for a year and a half, this was my first week as CEO. I’m excited and honored to be stepping into this role. I’ve been a Clover enthusiast for a long time – since my first taste of a Blue Oyster Mushroom sandwich as a grad student in 2013. As COO and now as CEO…
October 26, 2023
If you stop by tomorrow (Friday 10/27) around 11am, you might be treated to a bit of Clover history in the form of a carrot cupcake with buttercream frosting. One per paying customer, while they last! And they may not last long : )
October 26, 2023
A bunch of you have been asking, and yes, we are doing a Thanksgiving Box menu again this year, with all the favorites from years past – Hubbard Squash glazed with maple-Sriracha butter, mashed potatoes, gravy, Ayr’s dad’s walnut-mushroom patè, stuffing – there’s even a limited run of Petsi pies. Free delivery to your door if you’re within 30 miles of us. Click here to reserve yours.
October 22, 2023
I’ve recently asked somebody who believes in Clover as much as I do to step into the CEO role. Julia Wrin Piper has been Clover’s COO for the past 18 months and will take over running the company day-to-day. I’ll be shifting my efforts to provide support for Julia and the team, work on growth opportunities, and pursue partnerships that will amplify Clover’s mission. I’ll remain a member of the Board of Directors and active as an advisor and mentor. Clover is facing a potent mix of opportunity and challenge right now and I know Julia is exactly the right person to lead the team through these twists and turns.
October 18, 2023
On 10/29 Clover will turn 15 years old. It’s been 15 years since we first pulled up a tiny white food truck to the MIT campus in hopes of testing a menu that could make a dent in global warming. Since then we’ve supported so many local farmers; had tons of adventures on board trucks and restaurants; and met tons of wonderful customers. And most of all we’ve made food. Lots and lots of food. In honor of our 15th birthday, we sent out a survey asking you about your favorite LONG-LOST MENU ITEMS. We’ve picked the top results and we’re going to bring them back for one day only – in the form of a Birthday Meal Box!