Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren D’Angelo.
Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I launched Patty Matters in 2015, when food trucks were just starting to pop up in Grand Rapids. We were one of the first ten trucks in the city, specializing in gourmet burgers with a wide variety of proteins. My family has been a huge part of the journey—my dad and brother built the trucks, my mom works alongside me, and my sister helps run the business.
Over the past 10 years, I’ve watched the local food truck community grow to more than 150 trucks, and I’ve been honored to play a role in that growth through my work with the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association and events like the Roll’N Out Food Truck Festival. It hasn’t always been easy, but the challenges have pushed me to grow, and I’m proud to be celebrating Patty Matters’ 10-year anniversary this fall
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I first started in 2015, food trucks were still very new to Grand Rapids, and the regulations weren’t always clear or easy to navigate. Finding legal and consistent places to park and serve customers has always been a challenge, especially with limited downtown spots and expensive permits and licensing. On top of that, like many in the food industry, we’ve faced rising food costs, inflation, and staffing challenges.
Operating a food truck also means dealing with the unexpected—weather, equipment issues, truck breakdowns and the long hours it takes to run a business that literally moves from place to place. But every obstacle has taught me resilience, problem-solving, and how to lean on the food truck community around me. The challenges haven’t stopped us; they’ve shaped us into the business we are today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Patty Matters is a gourmet food truck brand that specializes in burgers with personality. Instead of sticking to one type of burger, we’ve built our reputation around variety and creativity. We offer everything from classic beef and turkey burgers to black bean, crab, sausage, and Beyond Burger patties—so there’s truly something for everyone. Our goal has always been to make food fun, approachable, and memorable.
What sets us apart is not just our menu but also the way we’ve stayed rooted in community. We’re a family-run business—with the whole family helping with operations. Beyond just serving food, we’ve helped grow the food truck scene in West Michigan through events, advocacy, and collaboration.
Brand-wise, I’m proud that Patty Matters has become known as a staple in the Grand Rapids food truck community over the last decade. We’ve kept our focus on quality and customer experience, while also being a leader in building up the local food truck industry. This fall, we’ll be celebrating our 10-year anniversary, which feels like a huge milestone and a testament to both our customers’ support and the strength of the food truck community
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has gone both ways for me. I had the good fortune of starting early when food trucks were just emerging in Grand Rapids, but I’ve also faced the “bad luck” of blown engines, broken equipment, and rising costs. I’ve learned that luck plays a part, but persistence and community support matter far more in the long run.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pattymatters.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/patty_matters/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/PattyMatters
- Other: TikTok @pattymattersadventures
