Fayetteville foodies saddened by announcement that popular food truck is moving on

Late last month, the owner of a popular Fayetteville food truck usually stationed along Skibo Road announced that he would be leaving the city.

Fayetteville native Anthony McBride bought his food truck seven years ago, but it wasn't until 2019 that his business, Blasian Asian Grill, really started to take off. Some popular items from the food truck include turkey legs, bourbon chicken, and bulgogi, a Korean marinated beef dish. 

After three years of building loyal customers, McBride announced on his Facebook page that he would be moving to Charlotte. 

He said the move was motivated by providing his three daughters with a better education. 

"I love my city, I love my people around the city, but it's more about my daughters' future," he said. "It's not about me anymore. It's just about them now." 

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McBride said the move would also take the girls closer to their wife's side of the family. 

McBride's tie to his business is not only what pushes him forward but what inspired his menu. 

"My mom is Korean," he said. "Just being around Korean food my whole life with my mother, it's just the taste. You can't go to Walmart and buy it. I just fell in love with it as a kid. It's really good." 

The transition for McBride is a little nerve-wracking, he said, because Fayetteville has always been his home and Mecklenburg County will be a big change. 

Although he's nervous about the transition, he has little concern his business will thrive in the new city. 

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"The word of mouth travels further than anything, as far as reputation," he said. "It's going to be a new experience, I wouldn't say a difficult transition because hopefully, my reputation will carry me to Charlotte." 

McBride said he will also be expanding his menu and adding about eight new sauces when he starts serving in Charlotte.

In the future, McBride said he hopes to open a restaurant in Charlotte. 

Many took to the business's Facebook page to leave comments expressing sadness following the announcement. As of Friday, the post had nearly 200 comments and more than 70 shares.  

Although many were sad about McBride's departure, many others offered support, well wishes, and positive reviews about the service and food. Others said they'd make the 2 1/2 hour drive to visit the food truck in the future. 

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There were also some comments from Charlotte residents excited about the food truck's arrival. 

According to McBride, some people called crying when they heard the news, which has only made his decision to leave even more difficult. 

"I've been back and forth like 1,000 times about leaving because I thought about my customers. I'm like, this is not going to be easy for me," he said. 

In addition to being thankful to his loyal customers, McBride said he's also thankful to the members of the community that helped push his business forward like former 2nd & Charles manager Debra Ellis and staff, who allowed him to park in front of the establishment and supported him. 

McBride said he was also grateful to Big Chiefs food truck owner, LaTonya Binns-Jennings, who gave him the opportunity to have a commissary, a place to support the upkeep of his food truck, like washing dishes. 

"When you open up your own business and you're trying to start out, you need someone to make sure that they have your back, that they are protecting you as well as your brand," Binns-Jennings said. "So, I wanted to help him because I just saw his passion and what he wanted to do."

Binns-Jennings said that McBride and his food will be greatly missed in the Fayetteville area. 

"Everybody loves his food ... I mean great customer service, great presentation," she said. 

Five days after announcing his departure, McBride also encouraged his customers to visit Blasian Asian Way, the food truck owned by his brother Jeffrey McBride. 

With similar flavors to Blasian Asian Grill, Blasian Asian Way offers chicken and shrimp bulgogi, rice and Korean dumplings called yaki mandu. 

McBride said Blasian Asian Grill's last event in the Fayetteville area will be at the Hope Mills Independence celebration Saturday. He will return to his usual spot on Skibo Road in front of 2nd & Charles, at 1920 Skibo Road, on Wednesday. He said the family has yet to decide on a date of departure, but they are thinking it could be in September. 

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McBride said he still plans to come back to the Fayetteville area for several weeks after the move before he fully transitions to Charlotte. 

"I just can't up and leave, I just can't do that," he said. "I'm dedicated and I don't like quitting. I don't quit, I finish the job." 

Staff writer Akira Kyles can be reached at akyles@gannett.com.