By Krystle J. Bailey
On any given summer evening, Egg Harbor Township locals can find the neon green Bare Knuckle Cafe food truck pumping out mouthwatering “knuckle sandwiches” and delectable desserts. The cafe-on-wheels is known to draw long lines that are well worth the wait. As customers approach the window, they are met with a warm smile, impeccable customer service, and a made-to-order meal that their taste buds will not forget.
Bare Knuckle Cafe is family-owned and operated by Chef Ray and Elizabeth Klein, along with their daughter Emma. Chef Ray spent 17 years as a highly regarded chef in the casinos. However, when he was off duty, he was known for the “big boy wraps” that he’d often make for his family.
“Big boy wraps,” now known as “Knuckle Sandwiches,” are the stars of the Bare Knuckle Cafe menu. Chef Ray, who is often referred to as Uncle Knuckle by the children in his life, creates each menu item entirely from scratch. Using fresh, local ingredients, the menu fluctuates regularly to incorporate seasonal produce and guarantee high-quality meals. From the seasoning blends to the fresh-squeezed lemonade, everything that comes out of the Bare Knuckle Cafe truck is made from scratch and with love.
The Klein’s food truck journey began in 2015 when Ray and Elizabeth were in the midst of career changes and searching for a way to continue to feed the community that they love. They bought a run-down truck on a leap of faith that would soon feed people by the dozens. The truck had been on the side of the road for some time and featured a rusted grill and chewed wiring. As far as Chef Ray was concerned, “the bones were good,” and they would figure out the rest.
As the family celebrates their fifth year in business, they are reminded of the community that made Bare Knuckle Cafe possible. Elizabeth refers to it as the “Food Truck of the EHT Community.”
The run-down truck, which was once filled with acorns and covered in images of hot dogs, was beautifully transformed through the helping hands of Egg Harbor Township residents. Family, friends, and acquaintances began to come together one by one to fix the old hot dog mobile. People that the Kleins had never met before volunteered their time and resources to revive the once disregarded food truck, transforming it into the vibrant, green truck we know today.
After 15 months of repairs and prayers, the Bare Knuckle Cafe hit the road for their first graduation party and has not stopped cruising since. Despite some bumps in the road with zoning and permits, the Kleins have persevered and continue to draw a crowd no matter where the truck parks its wheels.
Bare Knuckle Cafe regulars are known by name, as the only person working the window is the smiling Elizabeth Klein herself. As a family, they are committed to providing a quality experience for each visitor. Meals are made to order and can be changed to accommodate dietary needs. With Chef Ray in the background pumping out knuckle sandwiches and Emma Klein handing out ready-to-eat meals, the Bare Knuckle Cafe is a well-oiled machine.
When the Klein family isn’t busy feeding local customers at pop-up locations, they are behind the scenes giving back to the community. They have been known to donate food for funerals and other unexpected life events. They’re involved in local activities, always willing to sponsor a baseball team or feed a fire department.
“When you are saturated in the community, it is your moral responsibility to uphold that community,” explains Elizabeth Klein. “God has been good to us. We love to feed people. It’s about nourishing the soul.”
Chef Ray and Elizabeth spend time mentoring young adults and new business owners looking to launch their own food trucks, stating that “there is enough for everyone to go around.”
Through their mentorship, they remind young people that it is okay to be scared but not to let fear stop you from pursuing your dreams. Ray and Elizabeth take pride in the close-knit family experience they offer at Bare Knuckle Cafe and encourage young business owners to remember the value in quality over quantity.
Bare Knuckle Cafe nourishes the soul in every way. The love poured into each recipe can be felt as guests bite into each juicy knuckle sandwich.
Keep up with Bare Knuckle Cafe on social media, where you can see their upcoming menus and locations. Follow @BareKnuckleCafe on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to stop by the brightly colored truck for a meal you will not forget.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
