Mike DiSabatino, and Marc Melanson, two of the big three behind mobile melting platform Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, will be representing the Hub in the Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race season finale this Sunday. These grilled cheese gods sound off about the show, risky sandwiches, and why Boston’s still their favorite pitstop. Staying true to being grilled cheese.
What it was like being on the show?
Marc: The race was an awesome experience. It definitely helped us with our truck. It was grueling, with long hours, but very exciting.
Mike: Overall, the race itself helped us to grow not only as a business, but as a team, ya know? We started out as three guys who had never really all cooked together, so I think over time we learned what we needed to do in order to really become a team. And in the process, we met a lot of great people.
What’s it like seeing yourselves on TV?
Marc: For me, it’s funny to see the progression—like, we all started really fresh, and we definitely got a little weathered. It was a long trip. My mother called me the other morning and asked if I was all okay. And I’m like “Mom, I’m alright. I know I looked a little rough in the last show but …” [laughs]
Roxy’s first opened in March, how’d you get on the show?
Mike: The producer contacted us probably a month after we opened the doors.Marc: When we first opened up, we were hot. We were a really good business. Our partner, James DiSabatino is a marketing genius—he was the one who kind of created the whole vision, so we hit the ground running pretty fast.
That’s pretty crazy, to just open and then get on the show a month later?
Mike: That’s what we’re about, non-stop action!
What’s Roxy’s food philosophy?
Marc: One thing that we completely stand on is that we’re a grilled cheese sandwich.
We’re not a steak sandwich with cheese; we’re a grilled cheese sandwich with short rib. We’re staying true to being grilled cheese, without losing the possibility of flavor.
How does it feel to be the first Boston food truck to get on the Great Food Truck Race?
Mike: It was awesome to be part of the show, and do what we do, and represent Boston. And the fact that we worked our way from the bottom, it shows that we’ve just gotten better and better and better. I think that’s good for the city, good for just about everything.
Marc: It was good for the other food trucks of Boston that we were on the show. It helps the food truck scene.
What’s the best thing that comes with calling Boston home?
Mike: Boston people stick together, no matter where we go. And when we come home, it’s such a good feeling. If people come out to the truck and they love it, we’re gonna end up seeing them two, three times a week, and then we’re gonna become friends with them. There’s just something that’s just so receptive.
The season finale of The Great Food Truck Race airs this Sunday. Any hints on what we can expect?
Marc: Nope.
Mike: You should expect a great show from the Food Network. They put together a heck of a show.
And, what’s the story behind ‘Roxy?’ Who is she?
Mike: It’s a secret. We can’t tell you.
Two secrets in a row?
Mike: We like to keep people wondering. Everybody wants to know, so it’s a secret.
Marc: We can’t tell now.
Any last words you want to throw out to Dig readers out there?
Mike: Keep on coming out, we’ll see you on the street.
Marc: Look for us. If you see us, come over and say hello. Beep the horn, yell out your window, just don’t crash into us.
ROXY’S GRILLED CHEESE
@ROXYSGRILLEDCHZ
ROXYSGRILLEDCHEESE.COM
MUNCHIES
Join Mike, Marc, and James for the Great Food Truck Race season finale viewing party over at Trina’s Starlite Lounge, as Roxy’s takes on the SoCal Limeys and Cleveland’s Hodge Podge for the title of Top Truck. [Sun 9.25.11. 3 Beacon St., Somerville. 617.576.0006. 8pm/free. @FoodNetwork. trinastarlitelounge.com]
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