Savannah’s floating food truck

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - People across the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry love spending their days on the water.

In fact, one Savannah man loved it so much he found a way to make it a career by doing something no one else in Georgia had done before: making a food truck that floats.

Here, at the Savannah Bend Marina one boat stands out among all the others.

“Nobody had ever done this in the state of Georgia,” says Burger Boat owner Steve Martin.

The man behind it, nearly as colorful as the boat itself.

“I hadn’t heard anyone else stupid enough to do what I did,” joked Martin.

What he did, was something brand new.

“Me being a chef for so many years we decided we wanted to do a food truck kind of thing but not necessarily a food truck. So, we came up with the idea of doing a food boat,” says Martin.

And just like that, the Burger Boat was born.

Whether people believed in it or not.

“Initially it was, ‘they’re not going to make it, they’re not going to make it,’” Martin recalls.

But over the past 7 years, Steve and the Burger Boat have gotten quite popular.

“When we’re cruising around, we’ll see families up on their docks and they’ll wave us over.”

While the design itself is quite the attention getter, it’s more likely Steve’s attention to detail when it comes to the boat and more importantly his food.

“You know, it’s all about the quality. Even if it’s just a hamburger, well, make it a darn good hamburger.”

Keeping their menu simple but ‘darn good’ helping lure in Steve’s favorite catch out on the water, customers.

“I’m a people person any ways, I like being around people,” Martin says.

Steve’s people are much more than just customers, they’re part of why he does what he does.

“When people come up to that window, I want them to know I’m their chef. I may have a hundred customers out there but when they come up and make their order, I treat them that way.”

And he hopes, like his business model, his food will both surprise and delight.

“I think what we shoot for, and we accomplished it is for people to go, ‘I did not expect that, I did not expect that.’ That’s what we shoot for.”

A goal he hasn’t achieved on his own.

“I have an unbelievable staff. I’m a lucky guy to have the staff I have,” says Martin

Together they’ve made the unexpected an expectation and maybe enjoyed themselves a little along the way.

“It’s fun, keeps me young, it’s a challenge and I still like to cook. The Burger Boat’s been an interesting ride. Seven years can you believe that?”

If you’d like to find out where you can catch the Burger Boat or even book them yourself click here.

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