On the South Side of Chicago, one chef is proving that a baked potato can be much more than a side dish. Gig’s Gourmet Baked Potato is a new food truck and catering operation that’s blending comfort food with elevated flavors and fine-dining presentation.
After nearly twenty years working in high-end kitchens, Gig McFadden decided it was time for a change. Looking to create a concept of his own with the knowledge he’d acquired in the industry, inspiration came from above.
“I hear God say to me, ‘baked potato,’” he recalled.
The truck specializes in gourmet loaded baked potatoes alongside comfort-food staples and signature desserts. Standout menu items include hot Hennessy wings, jerk chicken salad, “yond” banana pudding, and Mama’s pound cake.
Gig’s branding leans heavily into its “fire” flavor identity, promoting chef-crafted recipes, scratch-made sauces, and premium ingredients. “We believe in cooking with soul,” the company states on its website.
“It was something nobody else was doing. The community embraced it very well because it’s something new and innovative,” McFadden said. “My philosophy is to give a fine dining experience from a food truck with flavors that leave you wanting more and more.”
McFadden says he moved quickly once the vision clicked. Within six months, he had researched the concept, written a business plan, secured funding, and purchased a vehicle. Now operating primarily near 87th Street and Cottage Grove, the business serves customers Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For now, he’s working closely with a sous chef while continuing to build his team. But staffing remains one of the biggest hurdles as he searches for employees capable of maintaining the food quality and consistency he envisions.
The long-term vision, however, stretches far beyond a single truck. McFadden shares he hopes to one day partner with an investor that could help bring Gig’s Gourmet Baked Potato to all of Chicagoland, and beyond.
