Laverne Hobson serves a customer on Tursday downtown. (CHAT News Photo/Bob Schneider)

By Chris Brown

Cha Cha’s food truck keeps father’s memory alive for Laverne Hobson

May 6, 2021 | 4:57 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – There are four people at the heart of Cha Cha’s Mexican Street Grill, but you won’t see all of them taking orders and serving the food.

Laverne Hobson’s father passed away a few years ago and left her a small amount of money. She wanted to do something special with it and something he would be proud of.

Last year, still mourning and amid job uncertainty at the onset of the pandemic, Hobson decided to use the money to open a food truck with her boyfriend Rick and daughter Jessi.

She says she thinks her father would think it’s “super cool” and it’s an extension of something her father used to do.

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“My dad used to have, he built a tow-behind barbecue at one point and he used to cater many events and reunions and things like that. So I think he would be really proud of it.”

Along with honouring their father and grandfather, the food truck also gives Laverne and Jessi stability. Before the pandemic both worked in the restaurant industry which has seen its share of highs and lows in the past 14 months.

Laverne and Jessi spend hours working together in the truck’s tight space. That could be tough for others, but for them it’s only strengthening their bond.

“We have a very good working relationship together we have a lot of fun together,” says Laverne. “I’m really grateful she’s a great kid and makes the day so much fun.”

Hobson is enjoying her first year as part of the food truck community. Last week Cha Cha’s was at the first Sunday Food Truck Frenzy of the year, and will be back as many times as she can.

“We absolutely enjoy being around all the other trucks it makes it that much more exciting of a day. And we look forward to Sunday on Mother’s Day,” says Hobson.

It’s early in the life of Cha Cha’s, but Hobson says seeing her vision become a reality is a proud moment for her and her entire family.

And she will always have a piece of her father nearby.

“On the back of the shack there’s my parents’ initials (M and L for Maynard and Lorraine) and it looks like it’s carved into the wood,” she says.

Mother’s Day Frenzy

Also at the Food Truck Frenzy on Sunday was Kona Ice, a staple at the weekly events for years.

Co-owner Khirsta McDowall says there will be a Mother’s Day bash at the frenzy this weekend from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. at the Kin Coulee Park bandshell.

It will be COVID-friendly, she says.

“We will spread the trucks out a little bit more this year. We’re just really excited to be able to offer this sense of normalcy to the community and we’re really excited to get started,” McDowall says.

She adds it’s a perfect opportunity to “get your food, go sit with your family on a blanket in the park and just get out and enjoy the fresh air and enjoy some good food.”