MOLINE — Marketplace at 2500 has enjoyed exponential expansion since it opened in June 2023, and its newest food truck is fresh on the scene selling handmade smashed burgers. Hangry Haven participated in its first event on June 28, having acquired their vehicle and perfected recipes over the past few months. This marks the first business venture for co-owner and head chef Nick Nelson.
New food truck Hangry Haven sets up shop at on July 5. Nelson said he is operating the truck in partnership with his best friend, Nick Foley, and wife Alexis Nelson, who handles all the bookkeeping. "And me — I'm a career cook.
I've always loved it, and it's truthfully always been a dream of mine to own and operate a food truck," he said. When they stumbled upon someone selling a food truck, who happened to be the owner of fellow Quad Cities burger vendor Floyd's, they decided to take the chance. So far Hangry Haven has already established itself at a few regular locations in Moline and Rock Island, one of them being Marketplace at 2500, which has grown from a food truck parking spot to the host location for vendors with a variety of wares.
Nelson said Haven and Marketplace expressed mutual interest, and they were set to serve there for the first time on July 6. While he finds it difficult to brag, Nelson said he makes a pretty good burger. His "garlic smasher" burger features a garlic sauce that he makes in-house.
All their burger offerings have two patties, and can be served with fries or .