RALEIGH, N.C. — A pop-up burrito stand in Raleigh plans to use only produce from a local community garden for the freshest ingredients.

According to a 2022 report, The Best Food Truck Cities in America, Raleigh has the second most food trucks (per capita) in the United States. 

Ervin Williams wanted to take advantage of this fact and open his own food truck, but not every food truck immediately starts out as one. In Williams' case, he is starting out as a pop-up stand.

AM:PM Burritos first pop up was April 30, 2022 at a CrossFit event.

Williams originally wanted to franchise his burritos, but his wife influenced him otherwise.

“My wife encouraged me to do my own route,” Williams said. 

Williams wife, Monet Bush, has been a major part of his success. She helps out by picking up produce from the community garden, as well as doing pro bono advertising from her own business.

Making local connections and working with the community is important to Williams. He is currently working towards making Raleigh City Farms his produce supplier.

“Further down the road, we want to have everything supplied by local farmers,” Williams said.“Further down the road, we want to have everything supplied by local farmers,” Williams said.

Doing work with others in the local community is important to Williams. When he looks to form a new partnership, he looks for the vibe of authenticity and uniqueness. 

“We like coffee shops but it has to be our kind of coffee shop. We like bars but it has to be our kind of bar, and we like other venues as well but like and gyms as well, we like gyms but it has to be our kind of gym,” Williams said.

Finding this vibe has led to great collaborations in the community, which Williams calls harmonious exchange.

“If we like focus on growing the city, then we can see like how also we can grow our businesses at the same time,” Williams said.

To satisfy everyone in the community, Williams’ menu is constantly changing to keep things fresh. He has something for everyone, including vegetarian and vegan options. 

“Adapting to changing your menu and being OK with that should be forefront, and also not being one dimensional with your menu,” Williams said.

Another way Williams looks to give back to the community is by internships to educate and give experience to the younger generation. Williams is in collaboration with local Universities for both culinary and entrepreneurship internships.

AM:PM Burritos hopes to transition into a food truck soon, but until then you can find where he will pop-up on his Instagram: @AMPMBurritos.