Meet Erin and Christopher Tejeda of TMI Food Truck in West Palm Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher and Erin Hayes-Tejeda.

Christopher, Erin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always had a passion for culinary arts but during the economic crash of 2008, I chose a “recession proof” career as a firefighter.

I’ve always wanted a food truck but didn’t have the capital to purchase one.

One day, in 2014, my wife, Erin, pitched an idea to open a food truck called TMI, using tongue and cheek innuendos in our marketing.

But then, life happened.

After not one, but two children, it didn’t seem like there would ever be a time to realize my food truck dream. And then, one day, I came home with an old step van.

“What is that thing?” Erin asked me.
“Its gonna be TMI one day,” I answered.

Over the next fourteen months, I built an entire food truck by hand. Electrical work, plumbing, gas lines, and appliance installation were all a learning experience.

On March 11, 2018, TMI opened its windows!

Things took off quick! Customers didn’t just love the food, they loved the brand of TMI. It became much more than a side job on my days off, it became a family effort.

Within six months, we had enough capital to purchase a second food truck with all the bells and whistles.

With two food trucks and a growing fan base, TMI is a must see in the South Florida food scene!

Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest challenge is finding a balance between my career as a firefighter, our young family and a business that has exceeded our expectations.

When we began TMI, we expected it to take a few days out of the month but in reality, it is a 24/7 operation. Between scheduling, shopping, prepping, cleaning and bookkeeping, we find little time for anything else.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the TMI Food Truck story. Tell us more about the business.
When we began TMI, the best advice we were given is that we need to create a brand, not a product.

So many businesses focus solely on their product and forget that the real thing we are selling is ourselves.

People don’t love TMI for our loaded tator tots, they love it for the environment we create when you visit. We usually have old school music playing, a menu filled with comedic anecdotes and bar stools at the window. We are family owned and operated and our customers have become family, too!

Oh, and did we mention that our artisinal sliders, loaded tots, and fresh, hot doughnuts are fire?

Is there a specific memory from when you were younger that you really miss?
When the South Florida food truck scene started, we were just getting out of high school. Hunting down good food trucks was the thing to do back then. Spending so much time around them really instilled that dream in me!

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.idforkthat.net
• Phone: 5612991864
• Email: tmisoflo@gmail.com
• Instagram: @tmifoodtruck
• Facebook: Facebook.com/tmifoodtruck

Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.