WHEATON, IL — More than a decade after they met while working together at a restaurant, Lombard friends Sanaa Yazbek and Alma Hernandez are ready to set out on their newest venture: bringing a Kona Ice truck to Wheaton. The pair, who also own and operate Taco Shop in Palatine, plan to start rolling the vibrant shaved ice truck into Wheaton and Carol Stream just after spring starts.
“We love Kona, it’s just so much fun. It’s different. You’ve got kids. That energy’s amazing," Yazbek told Patch.
She said she and Hernandez worked together for four years before they decided to open Taco Shop eight years ago. Then, they started bringing a Taco Shop truck to events and eventually found inspiration for their current endeavor.
“We’ve always been in the industry. We love it," Yazbek said. "We’ve got a passion for that, for sure.”
Yazbek said they found themselves continually charmed by Kona Ice's presence at food truck festivals, and ultimately decided to get in on the fun with their own Kona Ice truck.
Find out what's happening in Wheatonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Everybody’s happy when they see Kona Ice," Yazbek told Patch. "We want to be here near our hometown and offer that.”
Their Kona Ice Truck will be popping up at neighborhood events, outdoor markets, schools, daycares, sports tournaments and more. Residents can order shaved ice in different cup sizes and even get cups with uplifting messages on them, Yazbek said.
From there, they visit the truck's Flavor Wave, to personalize their icy treat with their choice of 10 flavors. "Some [customers] will put all of them on there," she said.
Yazbek said their Flavor Wave will feature base flavors, along with craft flavors that include bourbon vanilla, pineapple sunrise and mojito.
Seasonal flavors will also be available.
The shaved ice has a "soft, fluffy texture," Yazbek told Patch. She added that customers can add sour powder and a candy spoon to further sweeten their Kona Ice order. The company uses 100 percent cane sugar and also offers flavors that are sugar-free and dye-free, Yazbek said.
The Kona Ice experience won't disappear come winter; it will only shift forms. Yazbek told Patch she and Hernandez will offer a mini Kona Ice food truck that brings a very small, motorized Kona Ice to indoor events. The mini truck features a Flavor Wave on each side, so pint-sized guests can step up and reach the nozzles to flavor up their iced treats themselves.
Yazbek and Hernandez are also eager to join Kona Ice's community service efforts.
“We’re very local and very community-oriented," Yazbek told Patch. "Kona Ice gives us an opportunity to give back."
Residents can be on the lookout for the colorful, whimsically decorated Kona Ice food truck throughout the summer, with Yazbek and Hernandez helming a team that will likely embody Kona Ice truck's positive vibes.
Yazbek said, "We’re super excited to roll up and shave ice."
Readers can click the link to book a Kona Ice food truck appearance.