Crum Spreads A Little Sunshine, Joy With Food Truck Cuisine

Photo by Sally Carroll Aaron Crum tries to spread a little tropical island sunshine and offer great lunch fare with The Sunshine Shack. Crum had a booming business for lunch in Pineville on a recent weekend.
Photo by Sally Carroll Aaron Crum tries to spread a little tropical island sunshine and offer great lunch fare with The Sunshine Shack. Crum had a booming business for lunch in Pineville on a recent weekend.

Aaron Crum plans to bring a little bit of his tropical sunshine and Caribbean Creole creations to McDonald County next month.

Crum owns and operates a food-truck operation, The Sunshine Shack, which features his own unique cuisine.

After the death of his son last year, and wondering which direction to turn, he and his wife, Crystal, were having dinner at Turtleheads in Joplin when she mentioned to him, "You should sell 'escapism.'"

As a Jimmy Buffet nut and a fan of island fare, Crum delighted in the idea that he could spread a little sunshine to others. With a gift for creating great food and a love for doing something fun, the Sunshine Shack seemed an idea that could take root.

And it has.

The Sunshine Shack was born, and Crum began offering hamburgers, sandwiches and loaded tator tots that are typically only offered in larger cities like Chicago, New York or Los Angeles, he said.

The most popular "shackwich" is the Havana Hog, which features Cuban tender pulled pork and thinly sliced ham with a three-cheese blend. Customers also crave his Johnny's Texas Heat burger, which is loaded with two patties, pepper jack cheese, grilled peppers, onions and jalapenos, topped with his own Texas hot sauce.

Crum offers a variety of five shackwiches as well as five hamburgers, along with three different loaded tot dishes. The Buffalo Soldier Tots, for example, are smothered in Buffalo Chicken and pepper jack cheese.

He even offers a Rastafarian, an "amped-up" grilled cheese, for those who want a vegetarian option.

The Sunshine Shack provides Neosho residents with lunch-time fare and does a great deal of catering. In March, Crum will bring his food truck to McDonald County at least once a week. This summer, he'll be at a local campground or at the Stateline Liquor Store in Jane. He recently obtained a city operating license for the city of Pineville, so he can be available at local events there as well.

He hopes to provide McDonald County residents with an additional option for lunch and catering, all with an island flair.

Crum believes that life should be enjoyed and that pursuing fun is key.

Crum knows this all too well. Just a year ago, Crum lost his 17-year-son. His barbecue business in Neosho became a little hit and miss as Crum tried to find his path again.

Crum was raised in Neosho and operated a restaurant business for 12 years, sold cars for 13, and then sold insurance for one. With strong ties to the business community, Crum found solace with fellow residents after the death of his son.

"That town embraced us. I love that town," he said.

The Sunshine Shack seemed like a good way to get back on his feet and spread a little joy to others. "It may sound trite, but we try to make everything with love," he said.

Crum has a loyal following for the food truck, as well as catering gigs. He hand patties the hamburgers, offers fresh buns that are baked daily and offers other fresh ingredients. He believes his customers can tell the difference.

One recent night, when he couldn't sleep, he got up and experimented in the kitchen. The Southwest Turkey Melt became The Sunshine Shack's newest idea. With four slices of smoked turkey, southwest spicy mustard and chipotle cheddar cheese, the shackwich is complete on ciabatta bread.

"We're always different, we're always fresh. You never know what we'll have," he said, smiling.

His online reviews have not been any lower than a five-star rating. "We take pride in that we're always the friendliest," he said. "We always have a smile on our face."

Customers have welcomed the idea of something different. The Caribbean Creole flair that's evident in his offerings keeps customers returning.

Food trucks are gaining in popularity as they offer mobility and a lot of creativity. "I was doing an event, finished that and moved to a completely different location with a different menu in one hour," he said.

For places in McDonald County, like Pineville, which lacks brick and mortar restaurants, food trucks are gaining ground in the spring and summertime.

Crum finds happiness in offering customers a little bit of sunshine and "island infused and inspired food" not found anywhere else.

"I can travel anywhere I want to go and meet new and fascinating people every day," Crum said. "The adventure of it all and the ability to meet so many different people is the greatest part of owning my food truck."

For additional information, contact Crum at 417-592-6549 or like The Sunshine Shack Food Truck on Facebook.

General News on 02/15/2018