Hey you! Take your money, run like hell to Pork Floyd

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/06/2015 (3994 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I love summer. I love the signs of summer — green grass, outdoor pools opening, the countdown to the end of school, seeing people enjoy restaurant patios, farmers markets and, of course, street vendors and food trucks.

A few weeks ago, I told you about a new vendor, Sticks and Cones at the Global Market, but they’re not the only new kid in town.

There are others and what’s even more exciting is that they are unique and different.

This week, I’d like to introduce you to Pork Floyd (nope, it’s not a typo … it’s supposed to be Pork).

This new food truck is the brainchild of Chas and Jeremy Johnston.

They’ve been working on developing the business and setting the truck up for about two months. While the menu has a great selection, pulled pork is definitely one of their specialties, and that’s where the name of the business came from.

“We knew we wanted some kind of theme. As we were tossing ideas around for a theme, we came up with the pulled pork idea,” Chas Johnston said.

“Then as we were discussing different sauces and pork-themed dishes, our six-year-old daughter looked over at Jeremy’s shirt and said, ‘We can make the truck like your favourite band, Daddy.’ That’s when Jeremy looked down at his Pink Floyd concert T-shirt featuring a floating pig and said, ‘Let’s name it Pork Floyd!’”

As for the menu, they think it will evolve over time, depending on what goes over well with their customers.

Some of their current menu items include: Pigs on a Wing (pulled pork), Division Bell (pulled pork tacos), hamburgers, hotdogs, baked potatoes, as well as baked beans.

Now, if you’re wondering where to find Pork Floyd, you’ll have to head west on Victoria Avenue, past Fowler Hyundai (wave to my friend Ken) and carry on until you get to Mulligan’s Driving Range. Pork Floyd is on the north side of the road.

Of course, I was curious as to why Chas and Jeremy chose this particular location.

“We lived on that property before we bought our house in Alexander, and we know how much traffic runs by on any given day,” Chas said.

“We also liked the fact that there is a nice greenspace — a place to sit and enjoy the summer while you have a great meal, a quick snack or an ice cream cone.”

The couple moved to Brandon in 2009 to raise their two children and they both have related industry experience dating back to the time they spent as teenagers working at McDonald’s.

As a plumber, Jeremy will primarily focus on their other business — Royal Flush Plumbing & Heating; however, they’ll try to work together as much as possible and they look forward to being back in the hospitality industry.

“Being away from the restaurant industry for a few years, I realized just how much I missed the service end of it,” Chas said.

“I love the interaction you get to have with different people and how great it is to meet new faces. As a server, you get to build relationships with the people you serve.”

They are currently open Tuesday to Thursday from

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on Pork Floyd, follow them on Facebook.

Opening day

It’s an exciting day for those who are part of the original Brandon Farmers’ Market at The Town Centre. It’s the kickoff to three months of the market, which has been taking place for 38 years!

In fact, one of the original founders, Bill Bygarski, still continues to take part in the market as a vendor and comes out to sell his Manitoba-made honey.

The market will be held every Saturday in the parkade of The Town Centre from

9 a.m. to noon. A number of vendors, all members of the Brandon Farmers Market Co-op Inc., will be on hand to showcase and sell their fabulous selections of seasonal vegetables, baking, perogies and homemade noodles, preserves, honey, crafts, flowers and plants (perennials).

President Frank Hambrook said they currently have 14 members, but they are interested in attracting new members so they can continue to offer customers a good selection and variety.

“We look forward to the market season, especially when the selection of fresh vegetables is available and abundant,” he said.

Hambrook and his wife Marilyn are also vendors at the market.

They have a lovely variety of jams, jellies, pickles and relishes, fresh baking, vegetables and crafts. He said the days leading up to the market are very busy.

“I must say that my wife makes it all, she does an amazing job. She even has sugar-free jams and baking for those with dietary restrictions,” Hambrook said.

There is a hotdog cart and buskers at the Farmers’ Market every Saturday to provide refreshments and entertainment. They will also be having a customer appreciation day in July where there will be prizes up for grabs.

While this is a year-round market (runs every Friday from October to June indoors), the summer market is open until Oct.3.

Search Brandon’s Farmers’ Market on Facebook or email brandonfarmersmarket@gmail.com for updates on activities and special events.