A new food trailer is bringing made-from-scratch Italian cuisine to Owensboro, with a menu inspired by family traditions and a trip overseas.
Mimi’s Italiano, owned and operated by Hannah Freese and her boyfriend, Nicholas Nies, officially launched earlier this month. Freese said the response from the community during their first couple of days exceeded her expectations.
“We had a really good turnout both days,” she said. “We’re pretty excited.”
The trailer specializes in fresh, homemade Italian dishes, with nearly every menu item prepared from scratch.
Customers can choose from fresh fettuccine or spaghetti topped with either homemade marinara or Alfredo sauce. The menu also features bruschetta, handmade meatballs, a meatball sandwich, a chicken cutlet sandwich, and tiramisu made by Nico’s Bakery, which also supplies the bread used for the sandwiches.
“Everything on there is made from scratch,” Freese said. “The Alfredo, the marinara, the noodles, the meatballs, the bruschetta mix. The only thing I didn’t do was raise the animals myself.”
Freese said her love of Italian cuisine began after traveling to Italy several years ago. Already a self-described foodie, she returned home inspired to recreate the dishes she enjoyed abroad.
She and her mother began making fresh pasta together in their home kitchen, eventually turning the hobby into a business.
“I’ve always kind of wanted to have my own food truck,” Freese said. “It’s been a goal on the back burner for a while, and my mom motivated me a few months ago to get going.”
The trailer’s name also carries a personal meaning.
Freese named the business after her late grandmother, whom she called “Mimi.”
“My grandma helped raise me because my mom was a single mom,” she said. “We cooked in the kitchen all the time growing up. Italian culture holds family very dear, so I wanted to name it after her.”
While the menu is intentionally small for now, Freese said she already has plans to expand once operations become more established.
Future additions could include penne, pesto dishes, and other fresh pasta options.
“I have to keep from getting ahead of myself,” she said. “I wanted to keep the menu simple at first, get a good rhythm and system in the kitchen, and then start adding things.”
Following successful opening events, Mimi’s Italiano plans to travel throughout the Owensboro area, including neighborhood events and other community gatherings. Freese said the business has already received invitations to locations such as Deer Valley, Bluegrass Commons, The Brooks, and Universe.
The trailer is temporarily off the road while awaiting a new refrigeration unit, but Freese hopes to resume serving customers within the next week or two.
She also said she has felt welcomed by both customers and fellow food truck operators.
“We’ve had a lot of support,” Freese said. “Everyone at Street Eats came around and talked to each other. The other food trucks were really welcoming and excited we were there.”
Freese said customers can follow the trailer’s Facebook page for its latest schedule, locations, menu updates, and new offerings.
For updates on where Mimi’s Italiano will be serving next, visit Mimi’s Italiano on Facebook.
