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Father and daughter duo Mike James and Michaela James Peaden hope customers get hooked on the food they serve at their new food truck called “Hooks.” 

The new eatery replaces the former Savour which was located at Pitt Street Brewing Company on the Pamlico. 

It’s been a dream of James’ to open a food truck. When the owners of Savour announced they  were selling, he took the chance to fulfill a dream and help Peaden use a culinary degree she received from Lenoir Community College two years ago. 

A love of cooking has been passed down from three generations starting with Peaden’s  grandmother who taught James how to cook then he taught Peaden and her sister how to cook. Though hard work is required when working in the food industry, Peaden doesn’t mind. She “loves it” and feels that being a chef can be a life-long career. 

In talking about working in the food industry, Peaden said, “A lot of people don’t like it, or they think it’s boring or they think it’s hard work. I can be working hard and loving it. It never gets boring…” 

“I love seeing the smile on people’s faces when they eat my food,” she continued. Part of what brings her joy is bringing a tangible item into existence that wasn’t there before then seeing people enjoy her creation. 

The first night Hooks opened, Wednesday, April 12, Peaden admitted it was overwhelming at first; however, in the week since, she and James have created a system and flow. 

“It’s insane how me and him work together pretty well and communicate pretty well right off the bat,” Peaden said. 

Together, with help from wife and mom Michelle, James and Peaden cook a selection of foods from their casual American menu which has customers coming back for the cheesy chicken quesadilla with onions and peppers as well as pulled pork nachos topped with a Korean barbecue sauce.

Customers can choose from a cheese or shrimp burger, a catfish sandwich, boneless chicken bites, or a shrimp version of the quesadilla. For sides, Hooks offers french fries, onion rings, chili cheese fries or cheese sticks with marinara sauce. 

Hooks Food Truck is located at Pitt Street Brewing Company on the Pamlico (307 W Main St, Washington). It is open Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.