Hotel Luna Food Truck Brings Manicotti Entrees and Desserts to Out to Lunch Series

Participation in the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Out to Lunch series was an easy decision for the owners of Hotel Luna, an Italian food truck offering manicotti variations and desserts. Co-owner Robb Prohaska, also the creator of Brown Dogs Farm, along with local chefs Ben Acri and Bradley Hill are bringing affordable yet delicious Italian options to Downtown Des Moines (DSM).

Out to Lunch Q+A

Is this your first season participating in Out to Lunch?

Hotel Luna: Brown Dogs Farm has been at the Downtown Farmers’ Market for four of five years it’s been open. That vendor experience opened the door to Out to Lunch for the food truck.

What can people expect when they visit the Hotel Luna truck?

HL: We make everything as a manicotti. However, we don’t use the manicotti noodle; we use a crepe filled with a cheese mix or Italian mix, roll it up and add sauce and a garnish. We make everything from scratch and try to keep the menu fresh with a weekly special and rotating dessert.

What was the process of starting Hotel Luna?

HL: The idea for the food truck was hatched from working in food service. We really figured out the business on the fly once we had the truck. We’re all Italian so it made sense to do Italian food. Manicotti is something served at family dinners on Christmas. Using crepes allowed us to make and sell them in bulk.

We really looked at why customers appreciate a food truck, which is that they get food quickly and it’s easy to eat while sitting on a bench or walking. With manicotti, we can put anything in it and it’s not messy or greasy, and it’s easy to eat.

What was your first Out to Lunch event like?

HL: It was awesome! We were pleasantly surprised with the number of people that came to Out to Lunch. A lot of people don’t know us, but we get food out rapidly and because of that, our line stays shorter. When the lines for those well-known food get long and people decide to check out our truck, I think they are happy they gave it a try. We had several people order the grinder thinking it was a sandwich then come back to the truck to let us know they loved it as a manicotti variation. Our grinder includes Graziano’s sausage, peppers and red sauce, and you need a fork to eat it!

What would you tell other food truck owners about Out to Lunch?

HL: It’s a great opportunity to get out and expose your business to the public. Out to Lunch is a good vibe in front of a big group of people.

What should people order when they come to your truck?

HL: The grinder is our most popular item, but the chicken alfredo is popular, too.

This year’s Out to Lunch events are already underway, and Hotel Luna took part in the first event of the 2024 season, joining more than a dozen other food vendors onsite near Principal. Out to Lunch will take place in various locations through June, but if you’re looking to experience what Hotel Luna offers, stop by the food truck when they return to Out to Lunch on Wednesday, June 26 from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Federal Home Loan Bank parking lot.

Learn more about Hotel Luna at hotellunafoodtruck.com. Check out dates and locations for future Out to Lunch events, too.

There are so many fun events specific to Downtown DSM. Attend annual events like the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market, World Food & Music Festival and Holiday Promenade or find live music happening each week through the "Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.

Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a growing, vibrant community that offers the energy, sophistication, housing and attractions of a burgeoning city with a brilliant future. It’s also easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options. Find event information and follow @downtownDSMUSA on Facebook and Instagram for other news, tips and events happening downtown.