After more than 15 years as a bartender/mixologist, Josh Berner traded in his bottle openers and wine keys for tongs and a spatula to open HG80, a food truck based in Providence, RI. At , he serves untraditional tacos, potato chips, and sodas. Never doing anything the “traditional” way, Josh has always had an independent streak, which drove his motivation to open his own business.

For many years, Josh worked in some of the finest restaurants and cocktail bars in the country, inventing original cocktail recipes. The experience of working alongside and learning from award-winning chefs gave him the confidence to turn the focus of his creativity from cocktails to solid food. Eschewing traditional taco ingredients, Josh’s tacos are inspired by dishes and flavors from international cuisines, resulting in tacos reminiscent of Chicken Parmesan, Indian curry and Rueben sandwiches, among others. He sources many ingredients from local farms and makes almost everything from scratch – even the sodas!

While his top priority is, of course, delicious food, Josh’s vision for HG80 encompasses the entire dining experience. He entertains guests with music and a screen showing puppy and kitten videos, fun facts, and trivia questions. He also encourages them to show off their creativity by drawing on the truck with markers.

HG80 isn’t the first successful project Josh has helmed. As a student at Northwestern University, he founded Boomshaka, a percussion and dance troupe that is still flourishing more than 20 years later. Even so, when it came to starting his business, he knew he needed help. He felt comfortable with the “restaurant” part of the restaurant business, but he wasn’t as confident with the “business” part. So he contacted Amit Basnet of RISBDC for help, and it was one of the best decisions he’s made. Amit provided tools, advice, and contacts that helped him gain confidence and motivation. Josh’s untraditional menu differentiates his business, but he knows it can be a hard sell. He’s comforted by Amit’s advice about having working capital available as the business grows towards self-sustainability. Every day, after his first sale, he smiles and says, “Didn’t make nothing!”

www.HG80food.com
Providence RI
Josh Berner
214-315-9164
HG80info@gmail.com