Chef's Italian Restaurant rolls out 'On The Go' food truck

Mary Beth and Louis J. Billittier Jr., owners of Chef's Italian Restaurant, today announced everyone in Western New York can now enjoy Chef's "On The Go" with the rollout of a new food truck. The announcement came at a news conference in the Chef's Restaurant satellite lot at 291 Seneca St., Buffalo.

"Chef's has been a favorite in Buffalo for over 90 years," Lou Billittier said. "Our family is excited to take our signature spaghetti parm (where cheese is broiled on top of a plate of spaghetti), with favorites like salads and cannoli, on the road. We will have a special 'On The Go' menu, including special sandwiches to make our food truck experience unique."

The celebrities who assisted in the "reveal" with Mary Beth and mascot "Paisano" included former Buffalo Bill Lou Piccone; former Bill and NFL Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure; Sabres star alumni Don Luce and Danny Gare; and former French Connection Sabres star Rene Robert.

At the news conference, Lou Billittier said the truck will employ six people to complement the 100-plus employees now working at Chef's.

Lou Billittier said his team will take the truck to various events in Western New York, when invited, in addition to suburban office parks. He said one of the truck's first stops will be at the Buffalo Broadcasters media night at the Buffalo History Museum July 21, then off to the Orchard Park Country Club for a charity event July 22 and another for Buffalo Hearing and Speech soon after.

Mary Beth added, "We are honored to join other trucks that offer their own unique cuisine. Now people can sample our sauce and Italian menu at Chef's downtown, or wherever the truck may be."

Menu items include: Chef's special mix salad; soup; spaghetti, eggplant and chicken parm; meatball, sausage and chicken cutlet sandwiches; stuffed shells; spaghetti with meat sauce (gluten-free also); boneless chicken Cacciatora; chicken cutlet; cannoli; pop, water and coffee.

The Chef's "On The Go" food truck is a new, 36-foot freightliner with custom branding from M Design Vehicles. The stainless steel kitchen is 22 feet long, fitted with LED lights, and includes broilers to create the parm. The truck holds 100 gallons of water. A speaker will play music and announce orders.

Louis J. Billittier and his wife, Ann, acquired Chef's in 1954. Mary Beth and Lou Jr. continue with the same famous sauce recipe, while continuing to donate to local charities.

The restaurant has been in operation since 1923 at 291 Seneca St. Chef's is open 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Foodies can follow where the Chef's "On The Go" food truck will be on social media - including @ChefsBuffalo on Twitter, Chef's Restaurant of Buffalo NY on Facebook and www.ilovechefs.com.

Louis J. Billittier Jr.