LAPLACE — Inspired by hopeful entrepreneurs on Shark Tank, Mohammad “Moe” Ahmad journeyed from the River Parishes to Miami on an impulse and returned with a custom-built food truck.

The flashy, purple vehicle seen on Thursdays and Fridays in front of New Wine Christian Fellowship in LaPlace houses Ahmad’s Boomin Cajun Food Truck.

Fleur-de-lis and Mardi Gras patterns painted on the truck represent boomin Cajun’s flavorful Louisiana cuisine.

Homemade boudin ball burgers, crawfish boudin nachos and alligator sausage on a bun are among the most popular local flavors, according to Ahmad. Menu items are affordably priced, with large meal portions and a side of fries averaging $10.

As Boomin Cajun establishes a presence in LaPlace, Ahmad hopes to bring his culinary skills to a larger market.

“I love to eat, and one of my ultimate goals is to have a successful model to franchise out,” Ahmad said. “I’ve always been interested in food trucks, and I watch Shark Tank all the time. The ideas kind of came from me brainstorming how I could end up with a franchise.”

After graduating from Riverside Academy, Ahmad found a passion for the food industry cooking for customers at Stump’s Shell gas station in Gramercy.

“Being that we sell a lot of food in the gas station and people like it, I figure maybe when it’s on the road, it can do better,” Ahmad said.

Ahmad began operating Boomin Cajun Food Truck in Gramercy on a limited basis after having it custom built in late 2018, but he soon had plans to take business to LaPlace.

“St. John hadn’t developed food truck laws at that point because no one had asked,” Ahmad said. “They had to develop some and got back to me about a month later, and now here I am in front of New Wine Christian Fellowship.”

Customers are surprised to find a food truck in LaPlace, according to Ahmad, though those who stop by leave impressed by the restaurant-quality food.

“Since we’ve been open, customer feedback has been very, very good,” Ahmad said. “We have not had any complaints. It’s crazy because we have 700 followers on Facebook. Everybody that put a review up says awesome food and awesome service, but we’re waiting for them to be repeat customers.”

Originally open throughout the week, exclusively for lunchtime, Boomin Cajun has shifted to a lunch and dinner 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule on Thursdays and Fridays.

Ahmad splits his time between the food truck and Stump’s in Gramercy and searches for ways to make both successful.

Opening Boomin Cajun Food Truck for dinner is the first step toward reaching a wider audience, Ahmad said. Healthier options such as grilled shrimp tacos are new to the menu so customers can come back frequently without eating a cheeseburger or nachos every time.

Orders are fulfilled in a timely manner, according to employee Domonick Landry.

“It’s all fresh, all made to order,” Landry said. “We can have it out in seven minutes or better.”

Ahmad’s father, Zeak Ahmad, is proud of his son for bringing great food and service to LaPlace, a town his family has called home for decades.

Zeak Ahmad said Boomin Cajun has received a good community response for a new business.

“We didn’t expect too much because it’s new to the area,” he said.

Hot sausage patties, club sandwiches, fried fish and fried shrimp poboys, gyros on pita bread, jambalaya and giant turkey legs are other customers favorites, with more menu items in the works.

Customers who follow Boomin Cajun Food Truck on social media are alerted to specials, which could cover anything from shrimp fried rice and fried fish to hamburger steak.

Orders can be placed in advance for pick-up by texting 504-881-0302.

For more information, follow Boomin Cajun Food Truck on Facebook and Instagram.