Meet Denny Cuadra of Street food kingz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denny Cuadra

Hi Denny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
One day I woke up and finally understood that struggling wasn’t an option and I had to do anything and everything to get out of my struggle.

During the pandemic I wasn’t working as much as I wanted to, I worked as a medical assistant for 7 years! I was really excellent, passionate, dedicated and motivated to do everything I could for the company’s patients!

Once pay -day along I would open that envelope all that dedication and proudness for the company I worked for went out the door and realized it was useless, I had 4 days to come up with some type of money to throw my 3 year old a birthday party!

So I decided to double my $280 paycheck by selling hot plates out of my house.

The first 3 days of selling food out of my alleyway I made $800 after that I got addicted to it!

3 days brought in $1,400, so I through my daughter a bday party and invited all our friends, cooked all the food and rented a restaurant space.

Only two of my guy friends showed up with their kid.

After all that work and desperation I went through only two families showed up! I wasn’t mad or upset but I was motivated and reminded that I found my true calling again!

I told my self “ Denny you’re a cook, your dream was to be a chef! Not a medical assistant, you’re wasting you’re talent and youth for a company that doesn’t appreciate your worth! It’s time to pick yourself up and take a step into a better life”

Two months later I only had $500-$600 in my bank account and decided to quit my job and start selling food full time and I haven’t looked back ever since then.

Today I’m one of the biggest food vendors in town, I sell food out of a ghost kitchen 6 days out of the week, cater weddings, private parties or office parties.
I also sell my favorite Puerto Rican cuisine in community events, festivals, pop ups and car shows around the Kane county area with my crew.

All this began to make a little money to give my daughter a bday party but in reality it sparked a flame i thought I didn’t know I lost, I always wanted to be the best Puerto Rican cook in town and today there isn’t one person who doesn’t throw my name in the hat when it comes to “ Who has the best Puerto Rican food in town? STREET FOOD KINGZ! The Empanada Man does

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a struggle, financially and mentally.
Some of the struggles I had was having a bad credit and not having the funding.

My daughter growing up and her not wanting to spend time with me added on the stress.

In the beginning I became ignorant and spending money to show off to people how well I finally was doing!
I wanted to show to the world I wasn’t a dead beat and I finally made something out myself.

Looking back now, now I know I wasn’t mentally okay and facing the consequences of my many ignorant decisions today.

Today I wake up and my mantra is “ your daughter is gorgeous, healthy and she’s well taken care of. You’re a rock! You’re solid! What can break you can mold you into something better!”

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Street food kingz is a food catering business.
I specialize in Puerto Rican street food.
I have over 80 recipes of empanada flavors.

We cater hot plates daily, cater weddings or any private parties.

We also sell food as food vendors during the summer time all around Kane county area.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
My parents divorced when I was 12 years old.
My siblings and I struggled a lot.
We didn’t have a happy childhood.

Our parents would use us as glue or ammunition to hurt each other.
I was always taking care of my younger siblings by cooking for them and taking care of them!

I was always the parent type of child.
I cooked for my younger siblings it wasn’t the best, actually it was terrible lol
My siblings still ate it! They appreciated someone looking after them.

I was happy to do it! I walkes 4 miles every 2 days to rent movies and comic books at the local library for my brothers, we didn’t have cable or anything.

My mother, siblings and I lived in a very small studio apartment, our mother wasn’t around much, neglectful.

So i always had to be the adult in the home and look after my siblings.

Looking back I really didn’t have any interest or hobbies as a child. All I knew was “ don’t let your brothers cry “, make sure they’re happy, smiling, laughing and let’s be kids together “

Growing up I was forced to be an adult, I had to provide a stable parent.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Streetfoodkingzelgin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetfoodkingz/profilecard/?igsh=ejd2dzNlbTUwMWR3
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/BrSqDmMQ36PMompG/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@streetfoodkingz?_t=8qmtC4YZmQM&_r=1