Food Truck Frenzy

Ashley & Jesse Lee, owners of The Good Stuffed Food Truck, want you to get stuffed.

After many years of big city living, Jesse Lee decided he needed a change. Inspired by the food truck scene in Fort Collins, Lee purchased a truck and began stuffing burgers. Six months after his first sale, the Lees decided to relocate.

It’s a family affair with Jesse creating the mouth watering meals while his wife Ashley takes and delivers orders with their son Brayden.

In order to be closer to family in North Dakota, the Lees moved to the Black Hills and began a new chapter in Good Stuffed. They felt Rapid City would be the ideal place to settle.

“We’d always vacationed here and come back to the Black Hills quite a bit so we just figured what a [great] landing spot it would be,” says Jesse.

They saw opportunity in the Black Hills when as few as five trucks covered the region in early 2017. Their determination and quality made The Good Stuffed standout. Burger lovers have learned where The Good Stuffed sets up during the Central States Fair, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and other annual events.

If you cannot find the truck, just follow your nose. The popular Popper Burger is a fresh patty stuffed with bacon and topped with pepperjack cheese, jalapeño cream cheese and raspberry jalapeño jelly made by Deb’s Downhome Delights. A partnership Jesse is proud to have.

“We love using all the local people we can. She does an amazing job making all of our local jellies we use.”

Burgers are not the only draw. Try their grilled cheese, gyros, fresh cut fries or garlic parm tots featuring a homemade garlic aioli that “everyone loves.”

Jesse, Ashley and Brayden Lee

The Good Stuffed served many hungry faces this spring as restaurants closed due to COVID-19. Without being able to eat in public places, customers flocked to food trucks as they were able to operate. But it's not all smooth sailing for the food truck business.

The pandemic has cancelled many summer events that food trucks rely on to stay in the green. They are unable to setup at the weekly Summer Nights series, Hills Alive music festival and many more. Their focus instead will be on selling from local shops like Lost Cabin Beer Co., Box Elder True Value and Family Food Truck Night at Sioux Park every Tuesday – an idea they brought to Rapid City via Fort Collins.

Even with all the challenges, Jesse sees an exciting future for food trucks in Rapid City. He has full intentions on purchasing a second truck before next summer to accommodate the need for attending multiple events at the same time.

“We don’t have any days available left to book because of the events we’re a part of. We get calls all summer that we have to turn down because we need another truck. Everybody wants a food truck now to be part of their event and we’re glad to see that happen.”

BBQ Bacon Stuffed Burger with Fries