Written by Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

The Monmouth community recently welcomed a new locally owned food truck — Aaron and Jack’s Snack Shack, an “out of the box” diner-style eatery with a dash of cultural delectables. The Snack Shack is now serving customers at The Annex, located near The Donut Bar.

On Oct. 10, owners Aaron and Jack held a soft opening with a starter menu,  including burgers and philly sandwiches. An official grand opening was held on Oct. 13. As they have become more established, Aaron and Jack have broadened their menu options to include ramen, loaded fries and mac and cheese.

Aaron and Jack both have 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, with Jack as a former employee at Jack’s Pub, and Aaron a former employee at Dry Town. According to Jack, the pair have not had the best experiences with past employers, which catalyzed their eventual opening of their own business. 

“We just wanted to bust out, do our own thing, and serve the community good quality food that you can’t get anywhere else,” Aaron said.

Customers’ favorite menu item from the Snack Shack as of late is the philly cheesesteak — a mouthwatering combination of thinly sliced steak, homemade cheese sauce, onions, mushrooms and peppers. Another bestseller is the beef ramen and birria tacos, a delicious Mexican dish. Outdoor seating is provided for customers wishing to dine-in.

The Snack Shack is included as one of the 31 restaurants participating in WOU Wednesday. Students who visit on Wednesday will receive 10% off of their meal when they show their Western ID or show up in their favorite Western gear. Students also receive $1 off when they order a wolf juice, a flavor-infused energy drink. 

The food truck also offers customers the chance to order a new secret menu item on Fridays. To obtain the password for the secret menu item, customers must monitor The Shack’s social media the day of from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Currently, the Snack Shack is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

“Most (businesses) are closed around town (on Monday), so we’re open on Monday,” Jack said. “If you got the late night munchies at 10:30 (p.m.), come by and get some food.”

To check out the menu for Aaron and Jack’s Snack Shack and remain updated on future deals and specials, follow them on Instagram at @aaron_and_jacks. 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu