BELLEVUE, Iowa — Melissa Tott knows her way around the kitchen.

“My family’s been in the restaurant business since I was a little kid,” said the Bellevue resident. “From the time I was 9 or 10, I was helping out with dishes.”

When she started her own family, Melissa’s love of culinary pursuits continued to grow, according to her husband, Eric Tott.

“Whenever we had holidays, everyone would come to our house, and she would be the one cooking,” Eric said.

So when Melissa, a retired nurse, and Eric, an engineer at WHKS & Co., found themselves in possession of a large trailer after hauling some belongings home from Florida, they thought they knew how to put it to good use.

Now, the trailer is the home of Mickey’s Kitchen, a food truck owned and operated by the Totts that offers American food like burgers, fries, chicken, sandwiches and more.

“Food has always been my passion,” Melissa said. “I love to cook, and anybody who knows me, they know that I don’t really consider this work.”

After Eric spent about six weeks fixing up the trailer — which now is a deep black with vibrant pink and yellow decorations — the Totts launched the food truck earlier this fall.

The name of the business comes from Melissa’s childhood nickname.

“My dad always called me Mick or Mickey,” she said.

The business’ regular menu is robust and includes hamburgers, french fries, hot dogs, chicken, pork tenderloin and other sandwiches, nachos and a variety of sides such as onion rings, breaded cheese curds and breaded jalapeno poppers.

Melissa said burgers have been among Mickey’s Kitchen’s bestselling items.

“We hand-patty our burgers, so they’re not frozen. They’re fresh, one-third-pound patties that are freshly seasoned, and that’s a big seller,” she said. “We serve them on toasted buns, which is very attractive as well.”

The business also offers daily specials such as goulash and garlic bread or a three-piece fish supper.

“We just wanted to offer a variety … and with the extra room in our trailer, we’ve got freezer space to help expand the menu,” Eric said.

On a recent afternoon, when Mickey’s Kitchen set up shop at Family Dollar in Bellevue, customers could purchase turkey-and-dressing sandwiches with the option to add sides like potatoes and gravy, corn or green bean casserole.

“We did tacos a couple weeks ago, and that went well,” Melissa said. “I think people like seeing something a little bit different.”

Melissa also bakes a variety of desserts, which are typically popular with diners, she said. To date, the truck has dished up sweets like caramel pumpkin cake, lemon bars, apple pie, strawberry pretzel dessert and caramel chocolate toffee cake.

Melissa and Eric’s four adult children, along with several other family members, assist with the operations.

“(I like) that we’re spending time together as a family, prepping food and running the truck, and the kids are learning,” Melissa said.

Daughter Marisah Keating said she enjoys working with her family and seeing the customers, as well as watching her mom flourish as a chef.

“She’s always wanted to do a restaurant,” Keating said. “It’s been her dream since forever.”

Customers can place their orders in person at the food truck, order online at toasttab.com/mickeys-kitchen-food-truck or call 563-212-4375 to place their orders ahead of time.

For now, Eric said, Mickey’s Kitchen plans to operate in Bellevue and hopes to continue through the winter, depending on weather. Beginning in the spring, they plan to expand their reach to Dubuque and surrounding cities.

Bellevue resident Kate Green dropped by the Mickey’s Kitchen food truck on that afternoon and ordered the bacon cheeseburger with fries, which she said she had enjoyed on a prior visit to the truck.

“It’s very, very good, and pretty quick service-wise,” she said. “I like how they move around town, and they always have a different spot … I always like to support local businesses.”

For Melissa, hearing reactions like Green’s is one of the best parts of operating Mickey’s Kitchen.

“It’s gratifying to see people come and be happy with what they order,” she said.