Today we’d like to introduce you to Vicki Gliha.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For 23 years, I was the Transportation Director for public schools—what I lovingly called the “School Bus Boss.” I made sure thousands of kids got to school safely every day, navigating routes across all kinds of neighborhoods. But the more I saw, the more disillusioned I became with the disparities: how kids from lower socio-economic areas often got the short end of the stick in resources and opportunities. When my contract ended, I retired and took some time for soul-searching. I’d always loved feeding people—there’s something so deeply satisfying about providing food that nourishes the body and brings joy.
With no real experience running a food truck, I decided to turn that passion into something meaningful. On June 17, 2017, I launched The Bus Stop—a bright green converted school bus turned rolling kitchen. I designed a menu that tied back to my school days: fun, themed items like the “6th Grader” and “2nd Grader” grilled cheeses on Texas toast (loaded with local cheddar and American cheese, fresh tomatoes, and Amish bacon), alongside hearty comforts like hand-pressed burgers, fresh onion rings, Slovenian kielbasa with sauerkraut, and my signature grilled chicken in a light creamy mushroom sauce over cheese-filled pierogies.
Pricing was everything to me. I set it up so I could turn a profit but, more importantly, make sure every kid—especially those from economically disadvantaged families—could afford a meal. That way, they could head back to school on Monday bragging, “I ate from a food truck this weekend!” In a world where food insecurity hits hard, I wanted The Bus Stop to be an equalizer on wheels. I source ingredients locally from Geauga County farms whenever possible, keeping things fresh and supporting our community.
Looking back, launching The Bus Stop was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Nearly 9 years later, I’m still rolling strong, serving up home-cooked meals at festivals like Woofstock and the Raccoon County Music Festival, and catering events across Cleveland and Geauga County. In 2022, we upgraded to a bigger truck, adding 10 feet of kitchen space so I could expand catering options—like Mexican lasagna, parmesan pork chops, or even peanut butter and jelly with fresh bananas and Nutella on Texas toast.
My big green bus isn’t just about food; it’s about continuing to make a difference, one affordable, delicious bite at a time. If you’re in Northeast Ohio, come find me—I’ll be the one slinging cuisine with a smile!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
People often see the bright yellow truck rolling up to an event, lines forming for pierogies and burgers, and think, “What a dream job!” But let me tell you—the reality of starting and running The Bus Stop was far from glamorous, especially in those early years.
I jumped in with zero experience running a food truck. I knew I could cook and feed people, but that was it. My first “truck” was a retired people mover bus—not designed to be a commercial kitchen at all. Converting it was a nightmare. The rounded roof made everything complicated: installing a proper hood vent system was a huge struggle (we had to custom-fabricate solutions just to meet code), and storage space was limited because of the curved walls and low ceiling. Every inch had to be planned meticulously, and there were plenty of costly mistakes along the way.
Booking events? I had no clue where to start. I had a name in school transportation, not in the food world. I spent hours cold-calling organizers, networking at festivals, and building relationships from scratch. In the beginning, events were infrequent, which made everything else harder.
Employees were another battle—finding reliable help for a seasonal, weekend-heavy business was tough, and keeping them when paydays sometimes depended on how busy we were? Even tougher. There were rough days when we barely broke even, days we couldn’t pay staff right away, and days where the profit just covered the next batch of ingredients. As a small one-woman operation for a long time, I wore every hat: shopping for quality ingredients at affordable prices (sourcing local whenever possible, but always hunting deals), stocking the truck with everything—propane, utensils, service ware, cutlery, beverages, condiments—you name it. I’d prep the kitchen, design and order branded clothing for the team (and customers), send invoices, hire and train new folks, all while chasing down the next vending spot.
Everyone thinks food trucks are all fun and games, but there’s so much behind the service window that customers never see: the early mornings loading up, the stress of unpredictable weather or slow crowds, the constant juggling as a small business owner. There were several real struggles in the beginning, and some days I wondered if I’d made the right choice.
But looking back after nearly 9 years? Those obstacles built the foundation for what we have today. In 2022, upgrading to a larger, better-designed truck with that extra 10 feet of kitchen space felt like a huge victory—it solved so many of those early space issues and opened doors for more catering. The hard times taught me resilience, smart pricing, and how to run a tighter ship. And honestly, overcoming them made serving affordable, hearty meals to kids and families that much sweeter.
If you’re thinking about starting a food truck—especially converting something unique like a school bus—know that the challenges are real, but so is the reward when you stick with it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a comfort food truck with a school theme. Everyone recalls being a student, and we created a menu to reflect favorites at given time frames in a school career. We specialize in Grilled Cheeses, and PBJ’s, though as a rolling kitchen, we can cook just about anything! We offer many “old school” favorites.. Fried Bologna, Grilled Ham & Turkey, etc. We would like to think that we can offer just about any comfort food, if we know how to cook it, you can have it at your event! We have been very fortunate to create a niche with many school systems for Teacher & Staff Appreciation events, as well as many relationships with events that are great activities for kids. Even though our focus is on giving economically challenged families a great meal & experience, we also provide many other groups with the same. We think that our affordable and tasty menu truly sets us apart. We do our best to source the best ingredients at the best prices, allowing us to pass those savings to our clients. For all potential, former & current clients: We love you!! Without your support, we would not be here. We do our best at every event to provide a delicious affordable meal, and it is always made with love!! Not only do we excel at school events, but corporations love our varied menu. When it comes to our food options, we like to say: ” If you can’t find something you like, you aren’t hungry!” We look forward to feeding you very soon! To all our current, past, and future customers: We love you!! Your support keeps our big green bus rolling after nearly 19 years. Every meal is made with heart, and we can’t wait to feed you soon—come find us at the next event!
Any big plans?
As we roll into our 9th year, I’m incredibly proud of how far The Bus Stop has come. In an industry where so many food trucks come and go, we’ve built a brand and business model that’s not only survived but thrived—thanks to our loyal customers, affordable pricing, and commitment to hearty, comforting meals.
My biggest dream for the future? Keeping this big green bus rolling long enough to become a true family legacy. I’d love nothing more than to one day pass the keys to my grandchildren, so they can carry on the tradition of feeding our community with love and nostalgia.
For upcoming changes, we’re keeping the focus on what we do best: evolving the menu with even more irresistible specials! We can’t get enough of cheese, bacon, and fresh fruit—those flavors are pure magic together. Expect new creations that blend gooey cheeses, crispy Amish bacon, and bright fruit elements into grilled cheeses, PBJ upgrades, and surprise offerings that’ll have you coming back for more.
We’re excited to keep growing through catering, school events, festivals, and private gigs—always with the same mission: delicious, affordable comfort food for everyone. Here’s to many more years of making memories (and meals) on wheels!
Pricing:
- $4-15 per person
- Family of four can eat for $25!
- Affordable Catering
- Reasonable Rates
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WWW.EatatTheBusStop.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EatatTheBusStop
