A new food truck is rolling into Owensboro with bold flavors, tradition, and a message of cultural pride. Antojitos Ágape — translated loosely to “snacks of love” — is the vision of Charlie Morales, a local Spanish teacher with roots in Chiapas, Mexico, and a passion for sharing the cuisine of his hometown.
“It’s a dream come true,” Morales said. “Being from Mexico, I just wanted to bring something new and different to Owensboro — something people haven’t tasted yet. Everyone in my hometown will be excited.”
The grand opening of Agape Food Truck is set for 3-9 p.m. Friday at the Marathon gas station on the corner of Parrish Avenue and Carter Road. Morales said he plans to keep the truck mobile and visible across town, setting up at parks, community festivals, and high-traffic areas like the Food Truck lot near the Dollar Tree on Parrish Avenue on Saturdays. His first major event will be Owensboro’s Multicultural Festival.
More than a business, Morales said the truck is a tribute to his community and family — especially his late grandmother, Esperanza, whose name he initially wanted to use before learning another food business already had it.
“She passed away from cancer 2 years ago, and she meant everything to me. She always showed unconditional love,” Morales said. “So we went with Agape because it means love — the kind you can feel in your soul, like hers.”
He said the menu reflects that same heart. It includes traditional items not commonly found on other local menus, such as tostadas de tinga (shredded chicken in spicy chipotle sauce), coctel de camarón (shrimp cocktail), aguachile (a bold seafood dish), and chicharrón preparados (a loaded crispy chip dish with beans, lettuce, and more).
He’ll also offer homemade popsicles with flavors like cacao, along with Mexican drinks such as horchata and agua de jamaica. For a twist, Morales plans to serve drinks the same way they’re sold on the streets in Chiapas — in a plastic bag with a straw.
“There’s so much more to our culture than burritos and tacos,” he said. “We’re bringing something new — new flavors, new experiences. I want people in Owensboro to try things they’ve never had before.”
The food truck will be a family effort, supported by Morales’ mother, Cindy Vázquez; sister, Ayde Morales; and close friend Maxsuel Mendoza, who will run day-to-day operations while Morales continues teaching at Owensboro Catholic High School.
Morales was born in Delaware but moved to Chiapas as a toddler and spent much of his childhood there. He returned to the U.S. as a preteen and eventually graduated from Owensboro High School before earning a teaching degree at Brescia University. His journey, he said, has been shaped by a love for teaching and a passion for sharing culture.
“This truck is about representing where I come from,” he said. “Half of the Hispanic community here is actually from Chiapas, and a lot of people don’t realize that. I want to give them something familiar — and give everyone else a taste of who we are.”
To follow Agape Food Truck and find upcoming locations, visit their Facebook page here.
