Oof-da Tacos

Oof-da Tacos

Is your head getting dizzy from going back and forth between McIntosh and Fosston? Let’s stir the pot. The business this time has a storefront that changes weekly. Sometimes even daily. Ever heard of a “Pop-up Shop? It is a term heard often now, for businesses that bring their products and stores to you! And this business has been around for nearly forty years… long before the term “Pop-up Shop” was trending.

Have you been to a local fair or carnival? If so, you have likely witnessed the phenomenon of the Oof-da Taco line. It can be a sight to behold. And if you are hungry—your rumbling stomach may plummet to your toes when you see it. One of the main reasons you may be there is to enjoy an Oof-da Taco, or a nacho supreme or an elephant ear with whipped cream and strawberries or… hmm. Let’s leave the menu for later. We can’t have you throwing down the paper and driving off to find them without finishing the column.

So, here you are—standing in line, your mouth is watering. The air is laden with an appetizing aroma and… the mosquitos are starting to bite. This is the reality of Minnesota. But look at it this way. Now you have the chance to catch up with the other veteran Oof-da Taco patrons. Praise in all circumstances, right? In fact, it might be the only time of year you see some of them. And if you happen to be a newbie, then welcome to the neighborhood. And mind you don’t dilly-dally at the order window. While you’re standing here in line, you will be forgiven your lack of conversation so that you can peruse the menu and make your choices promptly—thank you very much—and then move over.

Of course, fairs and carnivals are not the only venues from where the distinctive food trailer will beckon to you. Trimmed with red accents, and a black and white checkerboard—just seeing the parked big billboard on wheels can immediately change your plans for lunch or supper, right? You know who you are and what I’m talking about.

So where did the Oof-da Taco come from anyway? Norway? Sweden? Nope, it started out as a no-name family favorite in the Donnie and Sharon Ramberg kitchen. After tasting a unique soft-shell taco elsewhere, Sharon experimented with different versions of it at home. She came up with a winner. They began sharing their culinary creation with not only family, but friends as well. It was not long before people were asking to come to supper and inquiring about the recipe. It might have never gone any further than the Ramberg kitchen but you and I both know something happened.

In 1982, Mentor was preparing for a town celebration. The planning committee was looking for food options. Since they were on the committee and they were short of solutions, Donnie turned to Sharon and said, “Why don’t we make those tacos?” She was taken aback with the thought of making them “to order” and without her kitchen to boot. And she was fully aware of her husband’s culinary prowess—which extended to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or cornflakes. She responded by asking him who was going to do all the work. He offered to fry the bread. And that was that. He resurrected an old stove. They set up in a clearing by the grocery store. When the celebration was over, they had enough profit to take the honeymoon they never had. They stayed in Colorado until the money ran out.

When Donnie and Sharon returned from their vacation, they had an inquiry from Anoka, MN about selling their tasty tacos there. More inquiries followed. Being prayerful people, they gave their business opportunity to the Lord. They asked Him to run it for them and then stepped out in faith. They hoped to make enough for another vacation. God had bigger plans. Not long after, the tacos were at the Fosston Fair, followed by the Fertile Fair. Soon those tacos were at many fairs and events, served from a homemade trailer that Donnie built, whose carpentry was infinitely better than his cooking. 

Donnie and Sharon’s enterprise was a business endeavor in man’s eyes, but they knew it was a ministry opportunity as well. Civic-minded, they committed to giving a percentage of their sales to the events which hosted them—that was unusual for that time. But it fostered goodwill: paving the way for many more opportunities. After three years, they bought a professional food trailer. It also became apparent their tacos needed a name. After praying about that, Sharon saw the name in her mind’s eye just as we can see it now on the Oof-da Taco stands. Eventually, they trademarked the name and franchised the business.

How do Oof-da Taco franchise owners begin their day? Well, with advertising of course. Big and bold. As you travel to your destination for set-up, your massive marketing campaign rolls along behind you, making the mouths of fellow drivers’ water in anticipation. Then, an hour or so before you officially open, you will prep your ingredients: conveniently housed in the trailer. As you chop onions or tomatoes you will have a panoramic view from inside the food trailer. And wonderfully, every day has the potential to offer you a different adventure than the day before. The bustling city street of yesterday might—today—be a parking lot sprinkled with vehicles and friendly waves from people going back and forth. The bright carnival lights and lively crowds of last night might be replaced with people quietly moving about their business of setting up for the day. Greetings or tidbits of news will be exchanged. But one aspect will stand out no matter where you are: connection.

This connection is found in an underlying current of goodwill that reveals itself in so many ways. We—here in Minnesota—call it: “Minnesota nice.” And it is the real deal. We witness it in the way people rally around families in need or “pay it forward” in unsung ways. Sporting events might divide us as we cheer for different teams. Preferences my separate us as we shop at this store or that store but—if you happen to see a guy with a Green Bay hat in the Oof-da Taco line…. well, at least he has some common sense. Maybe you can agree to disagree. It is a fact our common ground is never in 100% agreement with anybody. Circumstances and experiences shape us in so many ways. But that underlying current of goodwill? That is called: “community.” And “community” is why Greg and Donna Parenteau moved to the Thirteen Towns area in 1995, settling in Erskine, MN.

Greg’s two-year degree in restaurant management from the University of Minnesota, Crookston enabled him to start out working for well-known chain restaurants: Kentucky Fried Chicken and Red Lobster. Along the way, he called New York and California home. But as he advanced in his profession—home—where he grew up—started appealing to him and his wife more and more. They wanted their growing family to be raised in a tight-knit community. Now we know Oof-da Tacos began as a literal Mom and Pop operation. Donnie and Sharon sold a franchise to their good friend, Mark Parenteau, Greg’s dad. Then Greg and Donna bought him out, confident it was a perfect fit for their family. Since then, they have raised four sons: Corey, Austin, Hunter and Jay. All of whom graduated from Win-E-Mac and had the opportunity to work in the Oof-da Taco stand from an early age.

Greg and Donna own one of only three franchises of Oof-da Tacos, serving Minnesota and North Dakota. This year, the Erskine, MN based business is celebrating 25 years. Their territory differs from franchise owners Ben Murphy of Red Lake Falls, MN and Ryan Berger of Alexandria, MN. The Parenteau Oof-da Taco operation can be found in Minnesota parking lots or at community events. Anywhere from as far north as Warroad, as far south as Owatonna, as far west as Ada and as far east as Brainerd—and many locations in between.

Often in business, the key to success is undercutting your competition’s price point or having a better gimmick. One of the unique aspects of their business that Greg and Donna appreciate, is the camaraderie within their vendor community. Because you see “community” is where you make it. They enjoy the (often) nomadic nature of their enterprise and other vendors have become like family. They also look forward to the annual “regulars” who frequent their business. Regulars are regulars, if you see them once a week or once a year… or five times in the week you are there! They relish the diversity and flexibility of the locations their type of business provides.

Acquiring product has been a challenge early on this year. For instance, suppliers have restricted purchases of carryout containers and plasticware because the whole country is using more of those products. Food supply companies are taking a hit; both supplies and deliveries have plummeted. Beef processing has been reduced by 20-30% nationwide. Coordinating product for the Oof-da Tacos and getting it in enough time to meet their scheduled dates has been a juggling act.

Greg and Donna have made adjustments in their service as well. Electing to provide desired condiments from inside the food trailer. It takes more time but that, along with wearing masks, has reassured customers of their commitment to our current food service climate. They have been thankful for customers who practice social distancing while waiting in line. And equally appreciative for those who choose to wait in their cars so not too many people are gathered outside their stand at once.

In the “Pop-up Shop” vendor business, when valuable spots are secured, Greg and Donna work hard to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with their temporary landlord. It is pivotal for success. Locations with an electrical hook-up are a necessity but a location that offers diverse dining opportunities is also ideal. Variety does better together. People like convenience, they like choices. That is why, after over 30 years of applying—beginning with Donnie and Mark and continuing with Greg—Greg and Donna were ecstatic when they got the call from the Minnesota State Fair four years ago!

While you might think working out of a trailer is not an ideal Northern Minnesota business, keep in mind, Greg and Donna’s busiest time is July and August. They operate 6-7 months out of the year. With two trailers and 30-35 part-time employees—mostly high school and college age students—they cover a lot of territory. The duration of their stay can vary from one day to a week, depending on the circumstance. Over the years, they have participated in fundraiser benefits, Relay for Life events and the Friends of the Library Days in Greenbush. They also have an annual lunch date with Central Boiler in Greenbush who treats their employees on that day.

What is their recipe for success? Exactly what you are likely to find in most small business around here: a hard-work ethic, integrity, a sense of civic-minded responsibility and good old-fashioned friendliness. And the classic Oof-da Taco recipe has stood the test of time. It is still their best seller. They have accommodated customer requests by adding condiments such as sour cream, hot sauce, onions, hot peppers and guacamole. The addition of tacos in a bag has been a hit with families of small children. The menu has been added to but for the most part, they have kept in mind a good piece of advice given to Sharon years ago. “What you have, you do well. Keep the menu small.” 

You can check out their menu at oofdatacos.com or better yet—check it out in person! Hankering for an Oof-da Taco now, are you? Well, they are coming to the greater Thirteen Towns area Friday, May 22nd through Monday, May 25th. Setting up in the very town where the Oof-da Taco made its delicious debut: Mentor, MN. Look for them in the C-Store parking lot! Let’s keep the heartbeat of our rural, local economy and community strong! Tell them The Local Pulse sent you.

If you would like to have your local business highlighted in The Local Pulse or you have a human interest idea, please contact Alison Opdahl at thelocalpulse13@gmail.com or call 218.563.2504