Community Highlights: Meet Taryn Strausser of Mamas Eatery & Mamas Mission

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taryn Strausser

Taryn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey has been crazy. We decided to open our first food truck six years ago, and from there, we ended up with five food trucks by last summer, 2023. With a growing desire to expand, we decided to sell one of our food trailers and open up a brick-and-mortar shop. Mama’s. eatery! At the shop, we sell ice cream and cookies, along with our delicious deli sandwiches. We make all our own sauces and slice our own meat. One of our standout items is our famous dill pickle french fries—they are amazing!

Besides this venture, we run Mama’s Lexington Farmers Market, which I created because Lexington didn’t have a farmers market. Now, every Saturday through October, we host about 30 to 50 vendors, driven by our passion for helping the community.

The turning point for our mission came in November 2023. While working the cheese Wagon one day, I saw countless posts on local Facebook pages from people asking for food. They were hungry, and it broke my heart. Seeing this repeatedly that week, I knew something had to be done. I put out a video asking, “Hey guys, what can we do to help the community? We need food.”

The response was overwhelming. People started donating food to Mama’s Eatery. I soon discovered there was already a food pantry in Lexington—something I never knew despite being born and raised here for 31 years. So, I began collecting canned and boxed food to donate to the pantry, which then distributed it to families in need.

As our mission grew, people started asking about clothing, household items, and more. We organized free clothing drives for the community, which were a huge success. I found myself delivering beds, couches, and all kinds of furniture to families in need. We’ve been able to help numerous families with essential items, and we started a Facebook page, “Mama’s Mission,” which has grown significantly.

To date, we’ve helped about 500 families with furniture, household items, clothing, and more. We’ve also significantly supported the food pantry. Now, we have a food pantry located at the back door of Mama’s Eatery at 5435 Main St., where people can drop off canned or boxed items. If you are in need, you are welcome to take an item. This is one way we continue to help the community.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running a business is never without its challenges, and my journey has been no exception. While managing five food trucks was a feat in itself, transitioning to running a brick-and-mortar shop was a whole new ballpark. It brought a fresh set of challenges every day, and there were certainly many highs and lows.

Mistakes were made, and we learned a lot along the way. From figuring out logistics to managing inventory and staff, every day presented a new obstacle to overcome. However, I’m happy to say that our second season here is going great. We’ve grown from our experiences, and the lessons we learned have been invaluable.

As for my mission to help the community, it remains a driving force in everything I do. I love being able to assist those in need and seeing the positive impact we can have. However, there are times when this mission faces its own challenges. Occasionally, someone will request an item, and despite my efforts to provide it, they disappear and don’t return my calls or messages. Initially, this was frustrating, but I’ve learned to accept it as part of the process.

Despite these setbacks, the satisfaction of helping others far outweighs the occasional disappointment. The community’s support and gratitude keep me motivated, and I’m committed to continuing this journey of giving back. The lessons learned and the resilience developed along the way have been crucial to our success, both as a business and as a community partner.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Mama’s Eatery, we pride ourselves on offering a wide variety of delicious treats and experiences that the whole family can enjoy. Our selection of ice cream treats includes classic soft serve in chocolate, vanilla, and twist flavors. We serve Ashby’s hand dip ice cream! We also serve Dole Whip, just like at Disney! Our Dole Whip is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and dairy-free, offering a deliciously refreshing option that’s like sherbet, but even better.

One of our latest creations is our new loaded sundae cups, packed with ice cream, toppings, sauce, and whipped cream. Our generous portions and inventive combinations ensure there’s always something new to try. Our banana splits are a must-have, and we never stop coming up with new ideas to delight our customers.

In the parking lot, our food truck serves up delicious sandwiches on fresh-baked ciabatta bread, topped with our house-made sauces, and fresh sliced meat. We are famous for our dill pickle french fries—crisp fries with Parmesan cheese and our homemade dill sauce, served with hot pickles from Gielow Pickles, our local pickle factory.

We understand the importance of family and have a dedicated kids’ area so your little ones can play while you enjoy your ice cream or meal. As a parent myself, I’m always looking for activities for children, which is why we offer free craft days for kids. We also have a rock snake where children can paint and add rocks, with markers and rocks provided for creativity and fun.

At Mama’s Eatery, we focus on creating memories and experiences with great food. As part of Mama’s Mission, we continue to support our community by taking donations of canned and boxed food for local families in need. Our donation bin is located at the back door of Mama’s Eatery, and every contribution helps us make a difference.

We’re all about family, food, and fun—come join us and be part of the Mama’s Eatery experience!

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
In today’s fast-paced digital world, I’ve discovered that social media is one of the most powerful tools for connecting with my community and sharing everything we have going on. Every day, I make it a point to engage with our audience through live videos and regular posts, ensuring that people are always in the loop about what’s happening here.

Starting my day with motivational videos has become a ritual that sets the tone for everything I do. These videos fill me with energy and determination, getting me pumped up and ready to tackle the day ahead. Once I’m inspired and ready to go, I dive into creating content that not only promotes our business but also uplifts and inspires others.

Whether it’s showcasing our delicious menu items, announcing exciting events, or sharing heartfelt stories about our mission to support the community, I find that social media is the best