Beloved Birmingham Food Truck with Historic Ties Closes Shop
Birmingham, AL – In a bittersweet announcement on Instagram, Chris Joe, the owner of the popular Rickshaw mobile food business, expressed his decision to end operations after two years. The food truck, operational since August 2022, had become a cherished part of Birmingham downtown, bringing with it a legacy that reached back over a century.
Rickshaw’s Run Comes to an End
Early morning on July 27, 2024, Joe informed his followers about the conclusion of his culinary venture. “It is with regret that I’m making this post, but I’ve decided to end Rickshaw after two years of operation,” he wrote. Joe reflected on his years in the restaurant industry, sharing how he ventured out to try something of his own, to be his boss, meet new people, and challenge himself to create innovative dishes.
“While it’s been a fun & wild ride, I’ve decided to step away from it for multiple reasons. It’s been an absolute pleasure being able to share my food with the people of Birmingham & make new acquaintances along the way,” Joe added in his announcement. He also thanked Slone Boyd, his right-hand man throughout his food truck journey, for his support.
Tied to a Rich Culinary Legacy
Chris Joe’s connection with food and the restaurant business stretches back to his great-grandfather’s era. Mansion Joe, along with three partners, started Joy Young restaurant, initially named King Joy, in Birmingham’s downtown in 1920. The restaurant was particularly loved by local food connoisseurs until it closed down after 60 years. Keeping the legacy alive, the restaurant was subsequently relocated to Homewood, with Chris’ uncle, Henry Joe, at the helm.
Food Truck’s Connection to Birmingham
A graduate of Homewood High School, Chris Joe’s initial experience in the restaurant industry started by washing dishes at Joy Young as a teenager. Throughout the years, he honed his skills by working at a selection of Birmingham-area restaurants, including New York Pizza, the Merritt House, and Bombay Café, among others. However, after parting ways from the restaurant business during the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe’s culinary itch brought him back to start Rickshaw, an Asian-inspired food trailer with a uniquely crafted menu.
Rickshaw quickly gained popularity for its delightful Asian-fusion dishes like pork belly banh mi, General Tso’s chicken sandwich, fried potstickers, and dandan noodles. Reflecting on his food truck journey, Chris once said, “I’m not trying to get rich or famous off this, I mean, I’m just having fun. As long as I’m paying the bills, it’s fine. It’s all good.”
A New Beginning?
As the Birmingham community process the end of this delightful culinary journey with mixed feelings, they also look forward to what Chris Joe and other entrepreneurial spirits like him will bring to their city next.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
