by Megan Palumbo, Guest Contributor
Quality. That is what Rocket Fine Street Food is all about, and they will prove it to you after one bite. This Providence-based food truck, aka “Rocket,” is serving up space-themed burgers, hot dogs and breakfast sandwiches that are so good they will send you to another universe.
“Rocket came out of our love for cooking for people and making their days better,” said co-owner Patricia Natter-Meneguzzo. “We had a vision to serve the best food with the best ingredients, supporting local growers as much as we could.”
Twelve years ago, she and her husband and co-owner, Joe Meneguzzo, quit their jobs in Miami and moved to Connecticut to pursue their passion of becoming business owners. Since then, the couple has established a beloved spaceship from the ground up, while having fun the entire ride. “It’s a lot of work, but has become a rewarding lifestyle,” Patricia said.
Rocket’s menu is built with responsibly-sourced ingredients starting with all-beef, natural-casing hot dogs from Pearl Meat Packing Co.,Inc. in Randolph, MA, and all-natural angus beef burgers from Niman Ranch, a network of small, independent family farmers and ranchers who raise livestock sustainably and never with antibiotics or added hormones. Add on fresh toppings or elevated condiments, like the Rocket roasted garlic aioli, coffee barbecue sauce or jalapeño relish, and your taste buds will be singing! They also serve loaded veggie burgers, seasonal sides and breakfast.
“[Our] breakfast has become huge, almost taking over the lunch business,” Patricia said. Rocket’s egg sandwiches are piled high with extra large, organic eggs from Stamp Egg Farm in Johnston, RI, Vermont sharp cheddar and your choice of thick-cut braised bacon, chorizo or just straight up.
If you have been to one of our Wintertime/Year-Round farmers markets or Armory Park summer farmers market in the last 10 years, you likely have passed this prominent and insanely delicious smelling food truck. Rocket has been a loyal partner of Farm Fresh RI, starting when they first moved to Providence in 2012.
“Farm Fresh RI farmers markets are a great community and part of our core business,” Patricia said, “Locally sourced food is what we believe in. We have always understood the value of Farm Fresh and support their mission.”
When Joe and Patricia aren’t working at a farmers market, they’re either parked on South Water Street in Providence or traveling around Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts catering private events that range from birthdays and weddings to drive-by graduation parties and staff appreciation events.
“During the pandemic, people got creative on how to survive and keep normalcy. The good thing about the food truck is everything is contained, we just adjusted how we served everything,” Patricia said.
The biggest adjustment for Rocket during the pandemic has been embracing online ordering, which has helped the food truck during the winter season.
Check out Rocket’s schedule to see where they will be next, and follow them on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for updates on specials or for a good laugh from their wholesome memes. Most importantly, consider stopping by Rocket’s window the next time you’re at our Providence Farmers Market every Saturday 9am-1pm, year-round or at the Armory Park Farmers Market on the west end of Providence during the outdoor market season (spring through fall). You will not regret it.
For more great photos like these, follow @RocketTruck on Instagram.
