From Bobby (IT)
Press release:
AUSTIN, TX (Sept. 28, 2023) – Jive Turkey, a new homestyle food truck concept from first-year Texas Longhorn Deandre Moore, has opened to the public at 1637 E. Riverside Drive in Central Austin. Austin-based organization Clark Field Creative is assisting Deandre through the process, helping to facilitate the use of Moore’s NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) money to fund the business.
Taleea Moore, Deandre’s mother, is the key culinary player at Jive Turkey, where she serves as the chef. Jive Turkey has largely been inspired by the Moore family’s cooking traditions, as well as their fondness for replacing ground beef with turkey meat in their diets. Deandre’s appreciation for incorporating leaner, healthier sources of protein into a majority of his meals began in high school during his journey toward training to be a college athlete. This mindset – coupled with his love of Taleea’s home-cooked meals – led to the menu creation at Jive Turkey, which is centered around turkey-focused, comfort-food cuisine.
Deandre Moore, an All-American and All-League honoree and freshman wide receiver on the University of Texas football team, is an avid foodie and aspiring philanthropist. Upon Deandre’s arrival in Austin from California, he knew he wanted to make a positive impact in his new home base and promote well-being among underserved neighborhoods. After noticing that most affordable food truck options in the city were beef-based, Moore decided to put his NIL money toward a food truck concept offering turkey-based meals.
He enlisted the help of his mother Taleea, a home cook who’s always dreamt of branching out into the restaurant world, and Clark Field Creative, an organization dedicated to facilitating NIL opportunities for UT college athletes. Thus, Deandre’s business concept came to life as Jive Turkey. Along with providing a higher-quality alternative to the beef-dominated food truck scene, Jive Turkey also intends to invest in several philanthropic initiatives, such as donating food to unhoused individuals.
“Growing up, I realized what a privilege it was to be able to gather around the table with my family and enjoy my mom’s warm, home-cooked meals,” said Deandre Moore. “As a newer member of the Austin community, I’m grateful to bring those same staples to Austin’s talented food truck scene, while hopefully bringing people together in the process.”
Jive Turkey currently has three menu options, priced at $15 each. Choices include the Jive Burger (a turkey burger with iceberg lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese, ketchup, mayo and mustard), the Jive Turkey (a Thanksgiving-inspired cornbread bowl with slow-roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, all of which is topped with gravy and a side of cranberry sauce) and the OJ Jive (a deep-fried turkey taco with iceberg lettuce and cheddar cheese – the meal that first inspired Deandre’s vision for Jive Turkey). Currently, specialty offerings include a nostalgic, three-flavor cup of Kool-Aid and peach Jell-O topped with whipped cream. Additional and seasonal menu items will be announced at a later date.
“Upon hearing about Deandre’s innovative idea that’s intertwined with his upbringing, we knew we had to help him bring Jive Turkey to the Austin culinary scene,” said Nick Shuley, founder of Clark Field Creative.
“Our goal is to help student-athletes make powerful business concepts a reality, especially when they’re going to impact the community in a positive way.”
The food trailer is currently open six days a week. Hours of operation are 5 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information on Jive Turkey, please visit jiveturkeyatx.com and follow along on Instagram at @jiveturkeyatx.