Most chefs open a food truck as a way to build a brand and raise capital with the dream of opening a brick-and-mortar location. Lewis Donald, owner of Belmont neighborhood barbecue restaurant Sweet Lew’s, however, is doing things in reverse, adding a food truck to his restaurant’s offerings.

“The idea behind the food truck is simply to be able to go to more barbecue festivals,” Donald says. “We have a smoker already that we can attach and pull behind, and then we’re looking at another pig cooker as well so we can do a multitude of things.”

The truck has already been purchased and permitted, with final cosmetic touches taking place over the next week. In addition to attending Charlotte festivals, the truck will be available for catering and private events.

The traveling version of Sweet Lew’s will serve pork and brisket sandwiches, smoked wings, nachos, mac-and-cheese, and baked beans, with pudding for dessert. The truck will also get creative with the smoker with items such as Cuban sandwiches, house-made pastrami, and smoked tofu tacos. Donald says he plans to have an added presence out mostly in the suburbs to build brand awareness.

The truck will make its debut the first weekend of June at Devil’s Logic Brewing’s belated grand opening party.

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