I apologize for the long and winded thread but I'm giving this idea my all and want to make a record of the whole ordeal for future reference. Moderators, if you need to move this thread due to being placed in the incorrect location, please do so.

 

Hello everyone, my name is Jose "Joey" Leon and this is a logbook/diary of my current eccentric  build - a motorized-bicycle empanada business - I call it "Mopanadas Yum!".  MOped + emPANADAS = happiness imo!

 

Well, the idea came to me while traveling in Europe with my wife and seeing all these scooters, mopeds and bicycles, and all sorts of merchants using these modes of transportation as a business hub. This was back in 2010 and since then I've wanted to make some sort of food-related bicycle business. Unfortunately at that point in time, I didn't think Cleveland was ready for such a thing. It wasn't until I started seeing all the food trucks pop up over the last few years, that I realized Cleveland was morphing into a more open-minded food city - not only the residents but also the local goverment.

 

I was born in Puerto Rico back in 1980(dating myself here) and lived there the first 12 years of my life. Both my parents, along with prety much every adult in my family, had a tremendous passion for food and cooking. Me being the knowsy person I'm - to the point my grandma called me "mouse", since I was always rummaging through her closets and storage rooms and it sounded like a mouse was there - was always around the kitchen when the cooking was going on. This was usually around the holidays or special occasions. I remember helping with the rabbit stews, pig roasts, cod fish and roots meals and all the "frituras"(fried things) that were done back then. Those were truly some remarkable memories that I will never forget. Its like food was always the nucleus for every special occasion.

 

So how did I end up in Cleveland and why empanadas?                                                                           

Well after traveling what I called the Puertorican triangle - meaning from Puerto Rico to New York and finishing in Florida, my father was told that jobs were plentiful in Clevaland(ha). He had been a teacher in Puerto Rico, with a few bachelors degree in math and science, but nobody was hiring in Florida at the time. So we sold most of our belongings packed the cars and jumped on the highway.

 

We didn't know Cleveland from Chicago from any other US city, we just knew it was cold and snowed a lot. We drove from sunny Florida on December 31st, 1993 and made it to freaking cold and snowy Ohio on January 1st. 1994. I have to be honest and tell you that I hated it. It was cold, people were rude(that's how I saw it as a 13y/o teen) and the hispanic community was extremely separated. There wasn't any unity between hispanics and blacks, as it was the case in Florida and we always saw ourselves as "less than" when it came to whites, so this left me in a place of limbo.  Around that time I once again turned to the kitchen, helping my mother cook and learning more about flavors and seasonings.  This went along for some years until I started making friends and grew into my late teens but it was also a cooking lesson not since forgotten.

 

Now the empanadas - the oh-so-flavorful emapandas come into play. Empanadas are a dough pocket stuffed with all sorts of goodness and deep fried. Puertoricans fry everything and I mean everything. Fried plantains, fried stuffed potatoe balls, fried pork chops, fried cod fritters, the list goes on and on. Add to this list the always loved empanada and this is where my adventure takes a turn for what I believe the positive and healthier side.

 

I no longer eat fried things or at least a lot lot less than before. Over the past two years, my wife and I changed our diets, started cooking more and eating out less and decided to incorporate a healthier diet into our lives. So far I have lost 42lbs.(205lbs. to 163lbs.) and maintained that weight loss. I would now like to introdcue a healthier Puertorican/Caribbean palate into the local food scene.  Yes you can go to Rincon Criollo, Caribe Bakery, Mana Bakery and other local spots and get good Puertorican food, but it seems to me the new healthier and locally sourced food phaze is not being followed by them. They have kept  the original, if not outdated style of cooking and I think Clevelanders are ready for a new lighter, fresher and healthier version.

 

So what makes "Mopanadas Yum!" a viable endeavor?                                                                           

First of all my passion for cooking and creating something truly flavorful. I think with the right mindset, we can all change for the better and I'm prove that eating healthy doesn't mean giving up flavorful meals. This is why my plan is to bake my empanadas as opposed to fry them and to offer flavorful but healthy conscious versions. This new mentality along with my passion for creating and building cool things(the bike/moped), will help me develop this new form of food retail.

 

Now I would like to invite everyone to join me in this crazy adventure of trying to bring the first motorized-empanada "kiosk" to the city of Cleveland. I will be updating this thread with pictures of the bike build - a 1954 German made Black Knight cruiser with a 66cc 2 stroke drivetrain, along with the many aspects of cooking empanadas and finding all there is to know about the correct licensing, commisary kitchen, registrations, paperwork and all else needed to make this happen.

 

Thanks for reading this long post, please ask any questions or post any comments you may have. I will soon be making a FB, IG and Twitter account for "Mopanadas Yum!" and will add it to the thread. I will also be having some food sampling, so if interested, please let me know. I'm in West Park, so pretty much closed to every neighborhood on the west side, therefore when the time comes to give out samples you know where I'm at.

 

:wave:

Joey L.

 

Amazing - best of luck!  I will definitely eat your product.

 

Quick questions: Has your image of Cleveland softened?  Is the Hispanic community still divided?

Amazing - best of luck!  I will definitely eat your product.

 

Quick questions: Has your image of Cleveland softened?  Is the Hispanic community still divided?

 

Thanks!!!

I can honestly say I'm a true Clevelander now. I have had the opportunity to move out of state and decided against it. I like it here. My wife was born and raised in Lakewood. We now have a 14month old son and we want him to be proud of what the city is and also its heritage.

 

As far as the hispanic community, I still think we are not united. Seems to me like hispanics are more interested in the next dance/party/concert, as opposed to local politics, education and the city developments going on.

 

With Ohio City, W25th., W65th. and Tremont on the uprise, one would think the west side hispanics would carve a nice niche considering we have been in this area for quite some time. Unfortunately that's not the case. Just to cement my point, I emailed the Spanish American Committee on Lorain Ave. back in June, I waited two weeks before I called since I never got a response. While on the phone with the lady, I explained to her I was only looking for information on who to contact regarding the development plans for Lorain Rd. and to find info on commercial rental properties. This I thought was the best place to call since they are in the area I was looking into and they are the Hispanic committee.

 

She took my information and never called back. I emailed them again in July and I'm still waiting for a response.  That's pretty much how it has always been. They only help the people they are closed too or the ones that will benefit them when the grants/gov. funding comes to be dispersed.

 

:|

Here's the bicycle frame I'm using. It's a 1954 Germanmade Black Knight. This was the seller's picture from Craigslist. Bought it off a nice guy in Lakewood for $25.00  :-)

 

Fixed the rear traingle with some heat.

 

This is the head badge with the super cool knight. This was carefuly removed and resused.

 

This is how it was after getting the powder coating done.

 

Other engine components powder coated.

 

This is the engine I'm using. A China made 66cc 2 stroke which net 140mpg.

 

Sounds like a great idea, and empanadas are awesome! If it's any consolation, I know a Mexican American family trying to open a large commercial daycare (50 kids) in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood in a building they own, and the hispanic small business organizations did not get back to them either. The city and the (Mexican) alderman have been a nightmare to deal with on the permit process too. Good luck on this venture!!

Sounds like a great idea, and empanadas are awesome! If it's any consolation, I know a Mexican American family trying to open a large commercial daycare (50 kids) in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood in a building they own, and the hispanic small business organizations did not get back to them either. The city and the (Mexican) alderman have been a nightmare to deal with on the permit process too. Good luck on this venture!!

 

Thanks for the support :)

I still cant understand why we are not more helpful towards each other. It baffles my mind the whole mentality of "me, me, me". Hopefully they get their issues resolved.

 

I'm sorry for the humongous pics, I'll resize them later tonight once the baby goes to sleep.

The frustrations you're dealing with aren't unique to Cleveland or the Latino communities but if you have a good business model and product and a good dose of ambition, you'll succeed in spite of that :-) With that, I *love* a good empanada but when I see the Fired Up Taco Truck, I know I can only have one of their chorizo empanadas (with the lime cilantro sauce of course) because they aren't the best thing for my waistline. Feel free to post updates here, I think this is a good spot for this thread and best of luck to you.

WEPA!    Si! Mas Puertorriquenos en UrbanOhio!  :clap:

 

I love my fried food, but why empanada instead of Pastelillos?  Come on you're Boricua!

 

Also, i'm shocked to see you used "hispanic" instead of Latino.

 

Although I'm not a resident of FL, but have friends there and relatives have home there, I think the Latin community is more together than in SE Florida.  The Cubans run everything, and the carrib residents are very siloed. The Latino and Black community in Cleveland is not segregated in my view, it's the Latino communities that are segregated.  On the westside we do need a Latino cultural point and we should be doing more.  We have the PRs on one side, the Mexican's on the other and the Salvadorians, Cubans, Dominicans, Columbians and Panamanians in the cross fire.

 

In Cleveland we're the top of the Latin food chain, although those damn MessyKans (inside joke for the UO Mexican community LOL) won't stop trying!  ;)

 

 

Best of luck to you, Joey!  I love your back story and business idea and look forward to seeing updates.

WEPA!    Si! Mas Puertorriquenos en UrbanOhio!  :clap:

 

I love my fried food, but why empanada instead of Pastelillos?  Come on you're Boricua!

 

Also, i'm shocked to see you used "hispanic" instead of Latino.

 

Although I'm not a resident of FL, but have friends there and relatives have home there, I think the Latin community is more together than in SE Florida.  The Cubans run everything, and the carrib residents are very siloed. The Latino and Black community in Cleveland is not segregated in my view, it's the Latino communities that are segregated.  On the westside we do need a Latino cultural point and we should be doing more.  We have the PRs on one side, the Mexican's on the other and the Salvadorians, Cubans, Dominicans, Columbians and Panamanians in the cross fire.

 

In Cleveland we're the top of the Latin food chain, although those damn MessyKans (inside joke for the UO Mexican community LOL) won't stop trying!  ;)

 

 

 

Hola!!!

I used empanada instead of "pastelillos" - this is the actual word used in Puerto Rico - to make it easier for everyone to recognize and be more comfortable if they decide to try one out. Also the name flows better with "Mopanadas" as opposed to "Mopadillos", at least imo haha.

 

As far as using hispanic as opposed to latino, I see latino as more of a caribbean word(Cuban, Puertoricans, Dominicans) and hispanic as the larger form of the spanish speaking people. Not trying to disrespect anyone here at all, that's just the way I see it  :wink:

 

In regards to the separation and lack of support for one another, I still think we are decades behind with bigger metropolitan cities with large hispanic populations. Not only in a cultural stanpoint, but politics, retail and such. It seems that besides Barrocco, there really isn't a large demographic of food establishments that are crossing over to the mainstream. I don't really count mexican restaurants here, because imo that's a whole different aspect of our culture.

 

Now politics, who is really out there voicing our opinions and needs? Another thing is a lcak of a strong leadership group which could target our younger generation and teach/support them into a better future. It's unfortunate but it seems like we are stuck in the same routine week after week and nobody cares.  :|

 

StrapHanger[/member] - thank you for the support - its really appreciated.

:wave:

Joey L.

 

 

Seems like I'll be reading/using this site a lot in the near future  :-D

http://clevelandfoodtruck.com/

Over the past few weeks I have gotten some work done on the bike. I'm going for a 1920's/30's board track racer look and this is coming together quite well.

 

Test fitting the front fork and wheel.

 

Here's the rear wheel, handlebars and rear rack gas tank test fitted.

 

Had some free time at work last week, so more work was done.

 

And finally after switching the handlebars around and securing all the parts. Now I have to fix a crank to it and figure out the carrying container situation. I may go with a front and rear basket or a side cart, still working out the design.

 

 

I shall call thee Skeletor!!!

 

 

WEPA!    Si! Mas Puertorriquenos en UrbanOhio!  :clap:

 

I love my fried food, but why empanada instead of Pastelillos?  Come on you're Boricua!

 

Also, i'm shocked to see you used "hispanic" instead of Latino.

 

Although I'm not a resident of FL, but have friends there and relatives have home there, I think the Latin community is more together than in SE Florida.  The Cubans run everything, and the carrib residents are very siloed. The Latino and Black community in Cleveland is not segregated in my view, it's the Latino communities that are segregated.  On the westside we do need a Latino cultural point and we should be doing more.  We have the PRs on one side, the Mexican's on the other and the Salvadorians, Cubans, Dominicans, Columbians and Panamanians in the cross fire.

 

In Cleveland we're the top of the Latin food chain, although those damn MessyKans (inside joke for the UO Mexican community LOL) won't stop trying!  ;)

 

 

 

Hola!!!

I used empanada instead of "pastelillos" - this is the actual word used in Puerto Rico - to make it easier for everyone to recognize and be more comfortable if they decide to try one out. Also the name flows better with "Mopanadas" as opposed to "Mopadillos", at least imo haha.

 

As far as using hispanic as opposed to latino, I see latino as more of a caribbean word(Cuban, Puertoricans, Dominicans) and hispanic as the larger form of the spanish speaking people. Not trying to disrespect anyone here at all, that's just the way I see it  ;)

 

In regards to the separation and lack of support for one another, I still think we are decades behind with bigger metropolitan cities with large hispanic populations. Not only in a cultural stanpoint, but politics, retail and such. It seems that besides Barrocco, there really isn't a large demographic of food establishments that are crossing over to the mainstream. I don't really count mexican restaurants here, because imo that's a whole different aspect of our culture.

 

Now politics, who is really out there voicing our opinions and needs? Another thing is a lcak of a strong leadership group which could target our younger generation and teach/support them into a better future. It's unfortunate but it seems like we are stuck in the same routine week after week and nobody cares.  :|

 

StrapHanger[/member] - thank you for the support - its really appreciated.

:wave:

Joey L.

 

 

Well I'm proud of our culture.  Me being PR, and seeing empanda, I think Mexican.  But I get where you're going.  I would never use Hispanic, my mother would kill me.  We're Latino, period!

 

I don't feel like there is a big separation.  However, from a culture stand point, like many other things we dont have a strong Latino barrio, just as we do not have a "gayborhood". 

 

Politics? The intra latino penis envy here is a mess.  Don't even get me started!  I still can't wrap my head around a certain "leader" who claims that some Latinos (those on the eastside) have abandoned their cultural identity and have become WASP.

 

Well I'm proud of our culture.  Me being PR, and seeing empanda, I think Mexican.  But I get where you're going.  I would never use Hispanic, my mother would kill me.  We're Latino, period!

 

I don't feel like there is a big separation.  However, from a culture stand point, like many other things we dont have a strong Latino barrio, just as we do not have a "gayborhood". 

 

Politics? The intra latino penis envy here is a mess.  Don't even get me started!  I still can't wrap my head around a certain "leader" who claims that some Latinos (those on the eastside) have abandoned their cultural identity and have become WASP.

 

I'm not sure if you are implying that I'm not proud of our culture, due to the fact that I used a more common term to describe a food item :(  Also, is it safe to assume you are from the west coast of the island? Only asking because I know they use the word "pastelillo" on that side of PR(Ponce, Rincon, Boqueron), where in Caguas where I'm from, I've only heard the word "empanadilla", while "pastelillo" is used for the sweet-type of desserts like "pastelillo de guayaba"(guava cake).

 

Going back to the latino vs hispanic argument, I think it's more important to know our culture and not worry too much about what we or others call ourselves/us. I've enjoyed reading the works of Pedro Albizu Campos, Ramon E. Betances and Filiberto Ojeda Ríos among others, and I feel a great pride for my culture and our long and difficult history.

 

It's truly sad to see Puerto Rico in its current condition but that sadness leads me to remember my island as my first love. Now I want to bring a bit of that, in this case with my food, to my friends and neighbors in Cleveland ;)

 

Well I'm proud of our culture.  Me being PR, and seeing empanda, I think Mexican.  But I get where you're going.  I would never use Hispanic, my mother would kill me.  We're Latino, period!

 

I don't feel like there is a big separation.  However, from a culture stand point, like many other things we dont have a strong Latino barrio, just as we do not have a "gayborhood". 

 

Politics? The intra latino penis envy here is a mess.  Don't even get me started!  I still can't wrap my head around a certain "leader" who claims that some Latinos (those on the eastside) have abandoned their cultural identity and have become WASP.

 

I'm not sure if you are implying that I'm not proud of our culture, due to the fact that I used a more common term to describe a food item :(  Also, is it safe to assume you are from the west coast of the island? Only asking because I know they use the word "pastelillo" on that side of PR(Ponce, Rincon, Boqueron), where in Caguas where I'm from, I've only heard the word "empanadilla", while "pastelillo" is used for the sweet-type of desserts like "pastelillo de guayaba"(guava cake).

 

Going back to the latino vs hispanic argument, I think it's more important to know our culture and not worry too much about what we or others call ourselves/us. I've enjoyed reading the works of Pedro Albizu Campos, Ramon E. Betances and Filiberto Ojeda Ríos among others, and I feel a great pride for my culture and our long and difficult history.

 

It's truly sad to see Puerto Rico in its current condition but that sadness leads me to remember my island as my first love. Now I want to bring a bit of that, in this case with my food, to my friends and neighbors in Cleveland ;)

 

No...No...No....  If I've made you feel that way I apologize.  that wasn't my intent.

 

My family is from Metro San Juan.

No...No...No....  If I've made you feel that way I apologize.  that wasn't my intent.

My family is from Metro San Juan.

 

Good, THANK YOU ;)

Kind of weird that being from San Juan, you use "pastelillo" ha.

 

Anyways, what type of empanadas do you like best?

I'm planning on making the normal ground meat and chicken but I want to have newer flavors also. I was thinking of a sweet plantain one, maybe a peanut butter/bacon one and just trying out new ideas. The peanut butter/bacon is not the healthy version  :-P

 

I have reached out to a local bakery and the owner is more than happy to teach me proper dough making and baking, and maybe even use his place as a commisary kitchen. I'll be out of town next week, so after that I'll be looking to meet up with him. More info to follow :)

 

 

I was thinking of a sweet plantain one, maybe a peanut butter/bacon one and just trying out new ideas. The peanut butter/bacon is not the healthy version  :-P

 

 

 

You need to stop letting MTS distract you from what should be your primary mission: putting these in my belly

You need to stop letting MTS distract you from what should be your primary mission: putting these in my belly

 

;)

Well I do plan on going for the bakery classes soon, so once that's done and I've learned from a master(guy has been a baker all his adult life), I'll be making some at home and trying out recipes. If you guys want, I'll be glad to hand out free samples.

wwweeepppaaa!!! joey this is a fantastic idea, welcome, keep us updated, post often and best of luck.

 

my suggestions are to have both fried and baked versions y tambien i also hope you consider taking orders for pasteles when it starts to get cold!

 

i love pastelillos/empanadas, but honestly growing up in lorain and working mostly in the south bronx lately i can't live live without my pasteles. with a sip of coquito - haha.

wwweeepppaaa!!! joey this is a fantastic idea, welcome, keep us updated, post often and best of luck.

 

my suggestions are to have both fried and baked versions y tambien i also hope you consider taking orders for pasteles when it starts to get cold!

 

i love pastelillos/empanadas, but honestly growing up in lorain and working mostly in the south bronx lately i can't live live without my pasteles. with a sip of coquito - haha.

Coquito at this time of the year?  Lawd!  Stay away from those damn NuYoricans!

wwweeepppaaa!!! joey this is a fantastic idea, welcome, keep us updated, post often and best of luck.

 

my suggestions are to have both fried and baked versions y tambien i also hope you consider taking orders for pasteles when it starts to get cold!

 

i love pastelillos/empanadas, but honestly growing up in lorain and working mostly in the south bronx lately i can't live live without my pasteles. with a sip of coquito - haha.

 

Gracias for the support ;)

As far as fried empanadas, I think I'll pass at the moment. I won't eat them myself and although I'm not selling veggies and salads, I do want to promote a healthier version of our classics. As far as pasteles, that's definitely an option for the future.

 

Crazy that you lived in Lorain and now in South Bronx, since I myself did too. I had a girlfriend back in. '01-'03 who lived in Lorain and I moved in with her. She turned out to be kinda crazy so that was that haha.

 

I also lived in South Bronx back in 1990. We stayed off of Fordharm and Jerome. Those were some crazy times since the crack epidemic was still going full force then, man were there some sketchy places back then. One of the most memorable things about living out there was finding two life size shark statues/casts. They were made out of fiberglass and still weighted about 50lbs each and were probably 17ft long. My brothers and I carried them back to our small ass apartment and my parents laughed their asses off since we thought we could hang them on our walls. I have no clue whatever happened to them ha.

Its been a crazy week with my son getting sick and simply not having enough time to do anything related to the bike, but I did buy a few more things I will use in the future.  I found a good deal on a kid carrier which will become my trailer and an 80's Coleman cooler "fridge"  which may work as the carrying vessel. We will see  :-D

 

Now the plan is to break down the trailer, reinforce it, mock it in place and paint it black to match the bike(or powder coat it). As far as the "fridge", I wont use the plastic trays inside but the unit is extremely well built and will look good once painted and decals applied. As far as the actual temp, I have to find a way to keep the interior over 140* F due to heatlh code specifics, so that's my next step.

 

 

 

 

Also while reading the Scene today I learned about clevelandsoup.org and I'm thinking about pitching my idea to the organizers, what do you guys think? I knew abou the Detroit one but didn't know there was one here  :?

Well not much has happened lately :(

 

I have been doing a lot of house work and helping my sister-in-law and my brother renovate a hair salon they just purchased. They are new business owners and it's extremely exciting to see them turn their dream into a reality.

 

As far as "mopanadas yum!", I'm working on four solid recipes which I hope to have finished this week. I'm also making plans to meet with Andy Rerko, one the owners of "Elmwood Bakery" in Lakewood and the main baker there. He's a dear friend of my wife and I, and he has offered his baking/teaching skills in showing me the best way to make/bake empanada dough.

 

Im hoping to meet with him this upcoming Saturday and may need some flavor feedback. If any member is interested in helping I will gladly give out free samples in return of honest feedback.

 

Please let me know via text @216-571-95 one four

I'll greatly appreciate it!

Joey L.

OMG if only I was back in Cleveland now.....

Just a small update:

 

Contacted Wanda Foote at the city health/food department and she was extremely helpful regarding the licenses, fees and all related legal stuff. She was super quick answering all my question and I'm super happy to have made contact with someone who truly cares.

 

As far as the baking lesson for Saturday, due to some unexpected issues I won't be able to meet Andy at Elmwood Bakery so I decided to ask someone else whose baking is also top-notch - that would be my mother-in-law.  Her Christmas cookies, pumpkin pies and all the homemade desserts are to die for, so it was an easy fix  :-D

 

I'll have my wife take pictures of the whole process and will be posting them here. Also I'm having my wife take care of the social media issues and will be updating those links soon.

:wink: 8-)