Chris Hodgson Finishes Close Second in Great Food Truck Race

Cleveland chef Chris Hodgson, of Dim and Den Sum fame, and his newest truck, Hodge Podge Truck, made it to Sunday's finale of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race.”

Dishing out lunches and dinners in cities from Vegas to Miami, competing against trucks from all over the country, Hodgson came in second against the Lime Truck from Orange County, Calif. Hodgson represented Cleveland and its burgeoning food truck scene well. We caught up with him today to hear about his cross-country journey.

Cleveland Magazine: What was the experience like, outside of what made the air?

Chris Hodgson: A lot of us were actually friends. We were all hanging out together. Jason and Jesse from the Lime Truck were absolutely stand-out characters and phenomenal chefs. It was a lot of work.

CM: Show host Tyler Florence referred to you as a fierce competitor. What is it about being from Cleveland that made you such a fierce competitor?

CH: We’re Midwesterners; we don’t ever quit. Clevelanders never quit. When they asked me what would winning mean, I said I’d finally get to bring home a championship to Cleveland. It wasn’t “I want money.” I wanted to do something great for my city. Cleveland’s got unbelievable people with unbelievable drive who are going to do everything in their power and keep fighting to the end. I love this place.

CM: The way the show was edited, it looked like you guys lost by such a slim margin. Was that how it went down?

CH: We actually made the money faster. We just couldn’t get there before them. We were parked about 45 minutes away. They were parked about 10 minutes from the beach.

CM: The other trucks were run by people who were either friends, or business partners. A few of the trucks even had two chefs. You had your sister and your girlfriend. What made you decide to take them?

CH: Oh, I didn’t.

CM: Who did?

CH: The Food Network — I applied with my chefs, yo! (laughs)

CM: Are you glad they decided to send them along with you?

CH: Absolutely, because my girlfriend and my sister are huge supporters for me. Not just on the truck, but emotionally.

CM: Aside from not coming out on top, would you change anything?

CH: Nothing. I was a winner, baby. I was a winner. I went 3,500 miles with the two girls that I love the most.

Check out our story on Hodgson from the May 2011 issue here.

Cast Your Vote!

The race is on for local gourmet food truck Dim and den Sum. The restaurant on wheels has been nominated as a potential competitor in the Food Network’s new food competition, “The Great Food Truck Race.” If they win, Dim and den Sum (featured in the July issue of Cleveland Magazine) will get $10,000 and the chance to appear on the show’s second season.

“We’re an underdog city in everything that we do,” says co-owner and chef Chris Hodgson. He adds they will be competing against trucks from New York, Chicago and Los Angeles — cities known for their food trucks.“ We do need the support of Cleveland. Cleveland is a very supportive city. When they back something up, we usually win.”

If they win, Hodgson and Jeremy Esterly, the culinary duo behind the only food truck in Cleveland, will use the $10,000 to open a new truck, Noodle Bookoodle. It will feature a gourmet Ramen noodle bar and steam buns.

Voting ends September 10. Vote online or text ft20 to 66789.

The Mall by the Hall

Mayor Jackson is throwing a party- actually a whole month of them- and you’re invited. Really.

Show up at Mall C, on Lakeside Avenue next to City Hall, on Tuesdays in August from 11AM to 2 PM to join the get-togethers. The summer series is called Beats and Eats. It started at the beginning of the month and there are three more dates for the mid-day merrymaking.

Leave the brown bag lunch at home but bring dancing shoes.

No charge for the music. Local high energy rock, reggae, funk and Afro-beat bands give live performances. Here’s the line-up:
August 17: Out From Under
August 24: Carlos Jones and the Plus Band
August 31: Mifune

Carlos Jones and the Plus Band

Vendors selling a mouth-watering variety of foods are on hand so there’s no excuse for leaving hungry. Options include bbq ribs, wood-fired pizza, soul food, and fresh salads. The Dim and Dem Sum truck will be parked there every week. Don’t miss their PBLT sandwich, made with pulled pork and thick slices of bacon piled on a soft bun along with tomato jam, lettuce and spicy mayo.

Local artists and craftspeople are also setting up shop. Jewelry hounds take note- good op for scoring new beads and baubles.

If you’re not in walking distance, you can get there free on RTA”s B-Line Trolley.