NORTH COVENTRY – Merrill Metzger used to joke with friends and family that once his son was out of college and on his way — he planned to sell hot dogs on the side of the road.
After a more than 30-year corporate career, Metzger has started the second chapter of his professional life. And while he isn’t selling hot dogs, he does have a roadside culinary business and a vision for the future.
Metzger owns Merrill’s Barbecue — a food truck specializing in southern barbecue. To give his endeavor a permanent home, Metzger and his wife, Michele Saletros Metzger, bought a 0.55-piece acre of land, 1495 S. Hanover St., in North Coventry Township, Chester County.
They call the property Foodie Field.
His vision? To make it a park for food trucks, including his own. He said the site has room for about five trucks.
His intention is to recruit other food trucks to join him and to offer the community a variety of takeout options.
“I’m looking for more international things; I’m not really looking for pizza, hot dogs or hamburgers,” he said. “I want to have it so that it’s something that can’t be found around here. That way if people want to come and have a variety of international food, they can find it here.”
His thinking? Maybe Indian, Greek or Asian food.
Metzger purchased the property in March 2024 after driving by and wondering about it.
“I had done backyard barbecue for a while — I had a smoker. I always felt I had good cooking instincts,” Metzger said. “When the right situation came about we started looking into buying the property.”
Once the plan was in motion, Metzger put in an order for a truck, which was built in Florida to his specifications.
The trailer is 16 by 8.5 feet and includes a warmer and proofer, a double convection oven, a range top steam table, fully equipped refrigerator and a hot water heater.
He then bought a bigger smoker — a traditional offset model. For that he went to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The smoker — named “Top Gun” — had been custom made for a previous owner.
Over the next few months, Metzger got everything in place for the venture, which opened in October 2024.
“I just kind of pointed my skis downhill, opened up, and went with it,” he said.
Metzger’s menu features three types of meat: pulled pork, brisket and ribs. He also has a selection of sides.
“My intention is to make three or four things really well and stay with it. I’m not really looking to expand my menu at this point,” he said. “There are only a few things you’re going to order, but the few things are going to be high quality.”
“I started this food truck for myself, but I’m letting everyone else enjoy it with me,” he said with a laugh.
Why Barbecue?
In his corporate career, Metzger traveled all over the country but spent a lot of time in the South.
“I always liked barbecue, so I would stop in places on the side of the road — little mom-and-pop places or famous places,” he said, adding he was always asking questions.
Over the years, he developed his own barbecue style — which he describes as traditional and “kind of minimalistic.”
Metzger said he doesn’t get crazy with rubs.
“I like the meat to come through and be the star of the whole show,” he said. Mainly he sticks with salt, pepper and garlic but does use a rub on the ribs. His sauce — which he developed — is more like a Texas BBQ sauce. “It has a little tang to it, but it’s not really spicy.”
Sides include a mustard coleslaw and bourbon baked apples — a typical offering with Southern barbecue — along with macaroni and cheese and baked beans. The truck also offers a homemade Southern-style sweet iced tea. His recipes were developed and are made by him, either on site or at a commissary in Phoenixville.
Metzger said he only uses hickory wood in his smoker, which he feels sets his barbecue apart.
Foodie Field
Metzger’s vision is starting to take shape. A second truck — Little Bay Caribbean Kitchen — opened in May. It is owned by Kwane Haywood, who previously owned Welcome To The Avenue, 107 E. High St. in Pottstown, from 2018 to 2024. The restaurant specialized in Caribbean cuisine, which he has brought to Foodie Field.
Haywood has created a space that fits the Caribbean vibe — with pavers, plants and colorfully painted picnic tables.
“I’m trying to make it pop and have been adding something every week,” he said.
Haywood said he had a following at Welcome To The Avenue, and many of those customers have been finding him in his new location.
The menu features appetizers including jerk chicken spring rolls; and tamarind glazed wings. Entrees include oxtails; curried chicken and goat; fried chicken; jerk chicken and fried snapper. The truck also offers sides, drinks and desserts.
Haywood said the idea of a food truck was new to him, and he is still learning.
Outside the truck is a stand selling bottled drinks along with products he uses in his cooking, such as tamarind glaze, hot sauce and herb mayonnaise.
Growth of Foodie Field
As Metzger continues to talk with potential food truck owners, he is making improvements to the property. He plans to start bringing in some entertainment, starting with a steel-drum band on July 12.
Metzger said there has been growth since the business opened— from social media visibility and from people who see the site and stop out of curiosity. Both vendors are getting good return business, he added.
“I’m pretty confident that between myself and Little Bay Caribbean Kitchen, we have two of the best food options in all of Pottstown,” he said.
