Wok-O Taco owner is launching MacShak mac and cheese food trailer

Julian Engels, along with a handful of partners, is launching a concept focused on elevated macaroni and cheese

The owner of popular Mexican-Asian fusion food truck Wok-O Taco, Julian Engels, is making plans to launch a second concept called MacShak. While the macaroni and cheese food trailer isn’t ready to roll out at events just yet, Engels has started to debut some of the dishes at pop-ups, such as the Mac and Cheese Festival at the Armory STL that took place earlier this month.

For the new venture, Engels has partnered with Corey James, who owns Bella's Frozen Yogurt, Barrett Bersin, Nick Baur and Bradley Hatton. The plan is to slowly roll out the concept at events throughout the remainder of the summer and into fall.

One of things that drew Engels toward the mac and cheese concept is the way the recipe is so easily customizable. Like many of us, Engels said mac and cheese is something he’s enjoyed eating since childhood, but with MacShak, he wants to take the dish to a new level.

“It’s homey comfort food, elevated and with a new spin that actually displays some signature French cooking techniques and bold toppings,” Engels said.

The menu features a core offering of gourmet mac and cheese varieties that are each paired with their own distinct, bold and flavorful toppings. Each type of mac and cheese begins with the same base which starts with a classic bechamel sauce and blend of four cheeses – white American, fontina, Gruyere and sharp cheddar.

“It’s a really creamy base and the four-cheese blend has a great flavor,” he said.

One of the varieties is the Spicy Chili Crisp, which is chile crisp with fried garlic, jalapeno and fried onions. Another offering is the Texas-Style Peach BBQ Pulled Chicken, made with shredded chicken slathered in a housemade peach marmalade barbecue sauce, fried onions and fresh jalapenos.

Mac and cheese purists will be happy to know the full menu will feature a classic offering, along with a primavera variety that’s vegetarian-friendly, as well as an option to swap out cauliflower for the noodles. Additionally, the concept plans to offer catering for corporate and private events that will feature a customized mac and cheese bar.

“It’s going to be a fun and flavorful option that allows the mac and cheese bowl to be tailored to your tastes,” Engels said of the catering offerings.

Engels hopes to fully launch the concept by October and will announce pop-up events and launch updates on the newly created MacShak Facebook page, as well as through Wok-O Taco’s Facebook account.