Good Eats at the Red Bird Café

When someone's face lights up while talking about their career choice, they are clearly passionate about their path.

This was the case when I sat down with Robert Johnson, a retired Army sergeant who fought in Desert Storm, and is currently the owner of one of Williamsburg's food trucks – the Red Bird Café.

Johnson began working with food trucks 35 years ago. In 1987, Johnson, who was stationed in Fort Campbell, purchased his first food truck and began selling two festival must-haves: nachos and cheese and cotton candy. Johnson ran this truck for about a year before his military obligations sent him back to Germany. Getting out of the military, Johnson met his first wife and moved to the Sinking Valley area. During this food truck endeavor, Johnson added sno-cones and popcorn to his growing menu.

A few years later, he met up with who would become his mentors – George and Margaret Truex in Saltillo, Pa. He purchased a food truck from them. The Truex pair suggested that Johnson start to add more to his menu, which included hot sausage sandwiches and cheese steaks.

Johnson lights up when he talks about the Truexs.

"They were just comical," Johnson said. "You just got motivated through them."

During this time and after he divorced, Johnson met his current wife, Dorrie. Dorrie had two grandchildren that she had custody of, and the pair eventually sold their food truck.

In April 2020, the Johnsons moved their family to Williamsburg and have had their current food trailer for 10 years. The name "Red Bird Café" came from an internet search by Johnson and because so many things he liked were red. For Johnson, the food truck business and being in it for 35 years – has brought him all over the state of Pennsylvania.

"We've been everywhere," Johnson said. "Honestly, we just want to give people what they want."

Johnson said the food truck goes to different fairs, craft shows, and festivals throughout the spring through early fall.

Johnson explains depending on the location depends on what is more popular; Johnson stresses that each and every order is cooked to order and not pre-cooked. Dorrie explains that most of their peppers for their sandwiches are grown right in their own garden or bought at nearby produce stores.

"We have never used a canned pepper," Johnson said.

Johnson said that since the pandemic, they have increased prices a little, but the food truck has basically "absorbed the increase."

Johnson remembers back to when his father owned a grocery store in the 1960s and the prices from then, much like when he first started selling popcorn. It was $1 a bag, and now that price has more than quadrupled.

For those wanting to get into the food truck business, Johnson and Dorrie both agree.

"Get a unique item to sell. If it has a recipe, take it to the grave with you."

Johnson who has battled and beat cancer, admits he is getting a little slow when he is working in the food truck, but his smile lights up when he talks about it.

"I am just so very proud of this truck," Johnson said.