Today we’d like to introduce you to Darrell Fields and Lauren Madison.
Darrell & Lauren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It all started after a concert at The Forum. The show ends, and we walk outside into a sea of smoke and sizzling carts—at least 50 hot dog vendors lined up within feet of each other, all pushing the same bacon-wrapped dogs. And listen, no shade—they were making a killing. But we looked at each other like, “That’s it? Still??? After all this time, hot dogs are still our only option post turn up?” Enough was enough.
Being from LA, we’ve seen the street food game dominated by bacon dogs, but not everybody wants that. We thought…what if we could serve something just as convenient but with more flavor, more variety, and a nostalgic nod to the foods we grew up on?
We met in high school (El Camino Real). I grew up in West LA and Woodland Hills, and Darrell was raised on the east side of LA. His mom learned to make authentic tamales and passed the recipe down to him. Cooking is his love language. I’m the opposite—I just love to eat, especially anything colorful, customizable, and interactive. I live for options. And I’m obsessed with building brands. So we combined all of that and got to work.
Within 30 days of having the idea, we had our brand, our custom-built cart (shoutout to RJ from All Hands On Deck PM), and our Signature Menu: deconstructed chili cheese tamales and Fritos. We launched with a pop-up at Elysian Park during the World Series and made a post on Instagram to say, “Hey friends, pull up and try our new thing.” And then it was off to the races.
From there, we started Monday Night Bite — backyard taste-test events during Monday Night Football, where we tried new menus, gathered real feedback, and sharpened our vision. And that’s how Build-A-Bite Bar was born 🙂
Now we offer five unique bars: our Signature Bar (Deconstructed Chili Cheese Tamales + Fritos), Loaded Potato Bar, Tac’Cho™️ Bar (our spin on tacos + nachos), Pasta Bar, and Sweet Bites Bar.
We weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel—we just threw some rims on it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, it’s been relatively smooth, especially for a new business. Lauren’s pretty damn organized and insanely creative, so that helps a lot. She handles the business side like a machine. And with my culinary background and knowing my way around the kitchen, we’ve been able to map out what we need to keep things running smoothly.
That said, we’re still figuring out a few things. Overbuying ingredients is definitely something we’re learning to scale back on—sometimes we get a little excited in the planning stage. And though our backyard events have been a hit, finding the right pop-up locations out in the city is still something we’re testing and adjusting. But overall, we make a good team. We stay flexible and are always looking for ways to elevate the experience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Build-A-Bite Bar?
Build-A-Bite Bar is a mobile comfort food experience built around customization, culture, and straight-up *good flavor*. We specialize in build-your-own bars that let people create their perfect bite — from deconstructed chili cheese tamales to fully-loaded potatoes, pasta bowls, tacos + nachos (aka our Tac’Cho™ Bar), and warm sweet treats at our Sweet Bites Bar.
What sets us apart is how *personal* we’ve made the experience. We’re not just serving food, we’re inviting people to play with it. Every bar is interactive, hands-on, and intentionally designed so guests can build a plate that hits *exactly* how they want it to. We’re also not afraid to remix familiar flavors with a little razzle-dazzle, while keeping things approachable and nostalgic.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of how Build-A-Bite Bar feels. It’s fun, fresh, and rooted in LA. We didn’t follow a traditional model — we created something that reflects who we are and the city we come from. From the visuals to the voice, the experience to the flavors, it all feels like *us*, and our people feel that when they come eat with us.
More than just a pop-up cart, Build-A-Bite Bar is about creating moments through food. Whether we’re pulling up to a backyard party, a corporate event, or a bridal shower, we bring flavor, energy, and a good time.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Lauren’s the mastermind behind the scenes. She can definitely “turn it on” when we’re out in the streets, but she thrives in the creative strategy zone. I’m the one who’s always out talking to people. I’ll tell anybody who’ll listen about Build-A-Bite Bar. I mean, everybody’s gotta eat, right?
What’s worked for us is tapping into every resource we have. I’ve got friends from culinary school who’ve built successful food businesses, and Lauren has people in her network who’ve owned restaurants and catering companies. We’re not afraid to ask questions, share ideas, or learn from those who’ve been doing this longer than us. Also, don’t sleep on the internet and ChatGPT! Lauren researches everything to make sure we’re moving smart.
Bottom line: talk to people, stay open, and don’t be afraid to use what (and who) you know.
Pricing:
- Bars start at $14/pp for private events
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buildabitebar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildabitebar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buildabitebar/
Image Credits
Riot Victoria
