Christina Houle always dreamed of owning a food truck, but with higher quality, healthier food options like Kina’s Unbridled Graze.
Perhaps it is because she never wanted to go home smelling greasy.
“I spent a few years working at a seafood restaurant and once burned my leg changing the oil. I said never again,” Houle said.
This past spring, Houle took her sister, Rachel Richer, along for the ride so she wouldn’t have to tackle the Kina’s Gourmet food truck alone.
Stationed on their dad’s property in Azilda on Azilda Street, the white pine window trailer offers customers homemade sandwiches, desserts, charcuterie boards and Italian sodas.
“I always loved Italian soda as a kid. I wanted to ensure customers had that experience as well,” she said.
The sisterhood duo is one that is constantly on a creative journey that has resulted in a lot of amazing specials.
“We get an idea in our head and then our eyes get big and that is when the magic happens,” Houle said.
That’s how the smash burger special came to life as well as the paninis and the graze boxes.
The graze boxes are essentially a charcuterie board in a box. Kina’s offers three sizes, including a snack-sized kabob version. They are Houle’s favourite snack to make and she is obsessed about the staging of it. These board boxes are also offered with their catering business.
The chocolate-dipped cheesecake pops are a favourite dessert on a hot day.
They also offer gluten free and keto options and ferrying the trailer to events within city limits.
They have been stationed at Kivi Park for two weekends in a row for the Long Lake Fair and Conquer the Crater. They will be there again this fall for a maker’s weekend event.
The pretty trailer will also be featured at the Thursday and Saturday markets from time to time this summer.
Houle said she is making food she enjoys and it’s perfect for hot, summer days.
Her “go to” is the Cubano panini as it reminds her of Cuba.
“It offers a simple ham panini with sliced pickles, honey mustard mayo sriracha that we make in house along with provolone cheese,” she said.
Houle usually pairs that favourite with a Iced Dragon Fruit mojito soda because she has a thing for dragon fruit.
Right now, Houle is revelling in the summer, but once the snow flies, she will take her first trip in years and then possibly put plans in motion for a small storefront.
Kina’s Unbridled Graze is located in Azilda at 35 Azilda Street, one minute off the highway by Phil’s Auto Sales. You can visit Kina’s on their website, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram at unbridledgraze.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
