Beloved Birmingham Food Truck with Historic Ties Closes Shop

Birmingham, AL – In a bittersweet announcement on Instagram, Chris Joe, the owner of the popular Rickshaw mobile food business, expressed his decision to end operations after two years. The food truck, operational since August 2022, had become a cherished part of Birmingham downtown, bringing with it a legacy that reached back over a century.

Rickshaw’s Run Comes to an End

Early morning on July 27, 2024, Joe informed his followers about the conclusion of his culinary venture. “It is with regret that I’m making this post, but I’ve decided to end Rickshaw after two years of operation,” he wrote. Joe reflected on his years in the restaurant industry, sharing how he ventured out to try something of his own, to be his boss, meet new people, and challenge himself to create innovative dishes.

“While it’s been a fun & wild ride, I’ve decided to step away from it for multiple reasons. It’s been an absolute pleasure being able to share my food with the people of Birmingham & make new acquaintances along the way,” Joe added in his announcement. He also thanked Slone Boyd, his right-hand man throughout his food truck journey, for his support.

Tied to a Rich Culinary Legacy

Chris Joe’s connection with food and the restaurant business stretches back to his great-grandfather’s era. Mansion Joe, along with three partners, started Joy Young restaurant, initially named King Joy, in Birmingham’s downtown in 1920. The restaurant was particularly loved by local food connoisseurs until it closed down after 60 years. Keeping the legacy alive, the restaurant was subsequently relocated to Homewood, with Chris’ uncle, Henry Joe, at the helm.

Food Truck’s Connection to Birmingham

A graduate of Homewood High School, Chris Joe’s initial experience in the restaurant industry started by washing dishes at Joy Young as a teenager. Throughout the years, he honed his skills by working at a selection of Birmingham-area restaurants, including New York Pizza, the Merritt House, and Bombay Café, among others. However, after parting ways from the restaurant business during the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe’s culinary itch brought him back to start Rickshaw, an Asian-inspired food trailer with a uniquely crafted menu.

Rickshaw quickly gained popularity for its delightful Asian-fusion dishes like pork belly banh mi, General Tso’s chicken sandwich, fried potstickers, and dandan noodles. Reflecting on his food truck journey, Chris once said, “I’m not trying to get rich or famous off this, I mean, I’m just having fun. As long as I’m paying the bills, it’s fine. It’s all good.”

A New Beginning?

As the Birmingham community process the end of this delightful culinary journey with mixed feelings, they also look forward to what Chris Joe and other entrepreneurial spirits like him will bring to their city next.