Los Chanchitos: Bringing delicious and affordable Mexican eats to Seward
Downtown Seward has a new, fast and affordable dining option: Los Chanchitos food truck. Launched in May 2022, in direct response to long wait times and lack of downtown dining options he experienced during his visit to Seward in 2021, Peter John Cavaretta used his entrepreneurial skills and determined spirit to quickly form a business model to fill a community need.
“KellyAnn at the Alaska SBDC helped me put together a financial model with projections to prepare for a loan for my new food truck. She helped me with a start up checklist for starting my LLC and hiring my first employee. She also helped with getting my DEC paperwork and opening a legitimate food service business in Alaska. This was my first time starting a business, so I appreciated the direction to keep me focused.”
Peter John came to the Alaska SBDC at the very beginning – from the idea stage of his preventure goal. Over the next six months, Alaska SBDC business advisor KellyAnn Cavaretta supported Peter John with loan preparedness, a start-up checklist, and permitting to form his food service business. Open since May 1, 2022, PJ runs a busy breakfast and lunch operation, serving authentic Mexican birria and carnitas tacos, on 4th Avenue in downtown Seward, Alaska. He has two full time employees, and pours his heart and soul into his cooking.
Los Chanchitos’ success, no doubt, is based on the quality and affordability of the menu. This business also has a prime downtown location at the new food truck court in Seward. With a brand new food truck, and one of the only options for breakfast and lunch, Los Chanchitos provides quick, affordable, and delicious eats for locals and those spending the day in this historical seaside community.
“I have always loved Mexican food. My parents live in Baja, and I love going down there for quality eats at an affordable price. I spent summer 2021 in Alaska helping my sister out, and realized there was a shortage of food options for those visiting Seward in the summer months. With that, I reached out to the SBDC about getting a loan to buy my own food truck and start my first business.”
If you find yourself in Seward during the summer months, check out the new, bright red food truck downtown. You can’t miss it, with its beautiful wooden picnic tables, string lights, and gravel patio. Even as a new business, there is often a line of returning and loyal guests. There has been nothing but positive feedback from the community and Peter John is happy to be surpassing his conservative projections.
If you are interested in learning more about Los Chanchitos connect with them on Facebook or Instagram.
