‘Anything is possible’: CSUB athletes open up new food truck in downtown Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A new food truck with soul food cuisine opened Friday in downtown Bakersfield by two students taking their step into entrepreneurship.

Brothers 19-year-old Bentley Waller and 23-year-old Kadar Waller are behind Bakersfield’s newest Soul food truck, the Bentley Bowl . A truck serving soul food essentials like macaroni and cheese, yams, and according to Kadar, the truck’s must-have chicken.

“It’s got to be the chicken, you know with the sweet heat seasoning, you can’t miss with the chicken,” said Kadar.

The brothers attend CSUB and play on the basketball team for the school, they say they’ve applied some of what they know from the game to their new entrepreneurial journey.

“Working with others and creating a team that you can be successful with, you can’t win on the court without a team, you can’t win in this business without a team,” said Kadar.

The inspiration for the truck came from COVID out of Bentley’s love for cooking, now he said it’s even better doing it alongside his brother. “We’re bonding together and spending a good time together while doing something we love,” said Bentley.

17’s Mikhala Armstrong was able to try two dishes, the chicken also got her vote. “Chicken…I like, I like it,” said Armstrong.

And she wasn’t the only one. “Definitely 10 out of 10,” said high schooler Carson Lovio who came to try out the food. Lovio said not only did he enjoy the food, but he was inspired by the drive of a former classmate. “If we’re interested in something we can see what they do and go out and do it ourselves,” said Lovio.

But the boys don’t just plan to stop there, they see big things for the food truck including the brand becoming a major franchise.

“Anything is possible, especially with the right strategy and team behind us in building this franchise,” said Kadar.

You can taste the food yourself on Fridays and Sundays at 2324 Truxtun Ave. from 11:30 a.m. to 6 pm.

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