|Deb Smith|
The “Coming Soon!” sign at the corner of Route 231 and Estes Road piqued the curiosity of many passersby this fall. With a shed, a food truck and a tent with picnic tables, Cali’s Eats opened a few weeks ago, offering delicious dinner options like soups, tacos and burgers freshly prepared to go.
Cali’s owner, Christine Stokes, grew up in New Gloucester and started working in the food industry as a teen server at Cole Farms. She moved to California after high school graduation and talked her way into a management job in a Mexican restaurant. “I thought I could do it, and I did,” she explains with a smile. Christine worked in a variety of restaurants before returning to Maine to help her father with his industrial supplies business. But, her passion is food, so she returned to restaurant work in the area. She’s been cooking for friends and family for years and some encouraged her to open her own place.
So Cali’s Eats was born, named after her old rescue dog. Her vision was to sell grab-and-go, pre-made meals and baked goods. Christine explored building a commercial kitchen, but the cost was prohibitive. What about a food truck? That turned out to be a practical solution. It took a long time to open, with all of the preparation and permits, then it was November. A friend in the restaurant business encouraged her to go ahead and open instead of waiting until spring.
Her focus is “all about fresh, small batch cooking…no frozen French fries and chicken tenders—you can get those anywhere,” she says. Starting this business has been a labor of love, with lots of support from her family, friends and neighbors. Even her 8-year-old son, Marshall, whose favorite meal is mussels with wine sauce on flat noodles, has a hand in the business.
Cali’s Eats has been open part time, and will continue through the holidays. Christmas trees, homemade soups, breads, sweet treats and cider will be available. Prepared take-home meals, such as shepherd’s pit, baked ziti, pot pies and bowls will be added. Christine heartily welcomes feedback on the dishes they serve. “I want to offer what people want and enjoy.”
Follow Cali’s Eats on Facebook to see the current schedule and menu. Stop by to pick up a delicious meal and a tree!
