Born and raised in the North Carolina mountains, AJ and Eli came to Raleigh for none other than the NC State Wolfpack. This team's longevity in the food industry exceeds 15 years, with the last 4 years managing a Raleigh landmark, The Alley on Hillsborough Street. After The Alley closed their doors, AJ and Eli jumped head first into the food truck business. AJ and Eli purchased an old SnapOn tool truck and gutted everything to the studs. Locally supplied from Wilson's Store & Sales, Inc. in Spivey's Corner, NC the truck was rebuilt down to every detail with a signature dashboard created from reclaimed bowling lane wood from The Alley. After countless hours and multiple road blocks, they were one day from finalizing their permit when the engine blew. They assembled the troops and in less than 60 working hours they completely rebuilt the entire Chevy 454 Big Block engine (hence the origin of the food truck's name, 454 Grill).