You Gotta Try This: Jack It Up Vegan Eats food truck in Rockford

By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
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You Gotta Try This is the Rock River Current’s dining feature focused on signature dishes at your favorite local restaurants. Want to see one of your favorites here? Email news@rockrivercurrent.com to suggest a local staple. 

Where: Jack It Up Vegan Eats food truck

Where to find them: Find its weekly schedule on the food truck’s Facebook page.

Owners: Terrell and Raquel Washington

Try this too: You Gotta Try This: Taffy grapes from Sweety’s by Ashley in Rockford

You have to try: Pulled barbecue jackfruit meat sandwich and jackfruit meat chick’n sandwich

What’s in it: Pulled barbecue: sautéed barbecue jackfruit topped with poppyslaw. Chick’n sandwich: vegan chicken, vegan mayo, lettuce, tomato and pickles.

Why you should try it: This vegan food truck run by born-and-raised Rockfordians can get even the strictest carnivores to give it a try.

“A lot of people are curious to try, so when they try it they’re just wowed,” Terrell Washington said.

Terrell Washington started Jack It Up when he was in college studying hospitality management and met Ryan Hurrins. The pair eventually learned to cook vegan dishes together.

Washington met his wife, Raquel, around the same time and they were initially interested in juicing before turning their attention to vegan recipes. 

The truck debuted at Rockford City Market last week.

The Washington’s make all their dishes from scratch, avoiding pre-made vegan meat alternatives and processed foods.

“Everything is 100% from scratch, nothing is coming out of processed, vegan food,” Terrell Washington said. “What makes it unique is just the amount of love I put into it, and I have to have everything flavorful, everything to just wow you.”

More vegan food to try: You Gotta Try This: Organic vegan chili at Ripe Life Juice Co. in Rockford

Terrell Washington’s mother, Bettina Washington, is also often found at City Market with her food truck T&T Jolly Wow’s Barbecue.

They’re hoping to continue appearing annually, but can also be found at other spots in Rockford per their weekly schedule.

Pro tip: Try the vegan jerk rice on the side.

This article is by Mary Sisk. Email her at msisk@rockrivercurrent.com or follow her on Instagram at @maryrrcurrent