Miro’s Food Truck at the Modesto Maidique Campus photo taken by: Jordan Coll
Jesse Fraga/ Asst. News Director
Growing up with a family of chefs, food truck owner, Michael Rosen, better known as Miro, says that cooking has always been in his blood.
After closing in March due to COVID-19, Miro’s Food Truck is now ready to serve the FIU community.
After serving the FIU Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC) for 11 years, he hopes to expand his business to other campuses in the future.
He entered the food industry at the age of 15 years old after spinning records as a DJ.
“Over the years, it’s been an experiment,” said Rosen.
Since then, his experience has earned him jobs ranging from a catering manager, chef, restaurant owner, and mashgiach.
A mashgiach oversees food to make sure the establishment’s practices remain Kosher. This kind of food follows Jewish dietary restrictions found in the Old Testament of the Torah.
President Mark B. Rosenberg first invited Rosen and his team when he noticed a need to cater to FIU’s growing Jewish and Muslim communities.
The food truck is hard to miss, located in the center of MMC between the Graham Center and the Green Library. This has allowed for easy access and constant foot traffic amongst students, faculty, and staff.
“We’re definitely quadrupling the amount of [customers]. [We] never get complaints,” said Rosen.
However, he has had to adjust to the recent lack of students on campus due to remote learning.
Kevin Chardavoyne, a junior and international business major, could be found hanging out with his friends at Miro’s once a week. His first time back since remote learning was two weeks ago.
Chardavoyne is a commuter student who would meet up at Miro’s as a way to hang out with friends.
“When I went, I felt nostalgia. I remember the times [when] I’d get Miro’s and play board games in the piano room [of the Graham Center],” said Chardavoyne.
He emphasized how the energy of loud music and lines of hungry students first drew him towards the truck at the beginning of 2020.
Miro’s Food Truck is one of over 30 restaurant options on campus. The menu includes chicken and sandwich entrées, ranging from nine to 14 dollars.
Chardavoyne says that he wishes it was cheaper.
“While I don’t follow Kosher dietary restrictions, there are a lot of students on campus who do, and are unable to benefit from [Miro’s Food Truck] because the prices are so high,” he said.
Miro’s happens to be the only restaurant at FIU that serves Kosher food options.
Rosen says that, as it is, the pandemic has negatively impacted the company’s revenue.
“It’s been very tough. We’re doing about half of the capacity,” said Rosen.
The restaurant follows social distancing guidelines enforced by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, allowing only one person per table, each six feet apart. Lately, this has contributed to the food truck’s quiet seating area.
While activity on campus has decreased, Rosen has hope that his business will only improve from here.
I think Miro’s prices are very fair. It’s a food truck and it’s not like he gets as much foot traffic as the other options he’s competing with on and around campus. I feel like if the prices were lower the quality would be lower. Also, most meals I eat around campus end up being about this much so I’d say the prices are pretty on par with other options on campus. He gives you a ton of fries and the sandwiches are pretty big compared to other chicken sandwiches I’ve had on campus. Miro’s sauce is also crazy underrated. Miro’s is one of the best options on campus for sure.