A pop-up Monday night dinner service for popular food truck H-Town StrEATs ended abruptly Monday night after two men robbed the truck. It happened shortly after 9 p.m. during the monthly speakeasy at comfort food spot Beaver's.
It's all fun n games til u get robbed at gun point. Sorry, we gonna call it a night now. FU to the jerks who take from hard working folks.
— H-town strEATs (@Htownstreats) September 16, 2014StrEATs co-owner Matt Opaleski was working at the company's newly launched fried chicken restaurant The Bird House Monday night when the robbery took place, but he arrived on the scene as soon as he heard what happened. Opaleski tells CultureMap that his partner Jason Hill and another person were working on the truck when two men came in through the back door and demanded money. "(Hill) thought it was a joke, and he pushed the guy's wrist down," Opaleski says.
The would be robber fired one shot, which hit the truck's refrigerator and landed on the ground. Hill tossed some cash at the robbers, who fled the scene but dropped some of the money on their way. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
Opaleski adds that he found the bullet after the police had arrived. "I'm kind of a detective," he says with a laugh.
A Beaver's representative tells CultureMap the restaurant will replace the $300 stolen during the robbery. She adds that everyone is surprised by what happened, because, other than a couple of car break-ins, "We've never had an incident like this at all." The restaurant has turned over video footage to the Houston Police Department.
Beaver's will host another speakeasy Monday Sept, 22 that will feature two drink specials inspired by the incident: A masked robber cocktail and a "Dingo shot" in honor of Hill and Opaleski's name for their truck.
Meanwhile, the food truck's fans have reached out with via social media with words of support. Hubcap Grill owner Ricky Craig offered to replace the stolen money, and a Facebook post about the incident has garnered more than 70 comments.
Opaleski thanked the truck's fans for all the support. Expect to see H-Town StrEATs back out soon.
This went from the worst day, to the best. H-Town you are amazing. The amount of support tonight is incredible. Thank you so much.
— H-town strEATs (@Htownstreats) September 16, 2014The truck, known as Dingo, will be back on the road soon.
