Popular mobile eatery pulls into Centennial Hills permanently

After more than 50,000 miles blazing a trail for mobile business, Slidin' Thru has parked itself in Centennial Hills.

On Dec. 9, owner Ric Guerrero expanded his mini empire by opening Slidin' Thru's first official restaurant at 6440 N. Durango Drive. The eatery offers indoor dining and a drive -through option and answers a clear call from Centennial Hills, Guerrero said.

The slider truck hit the road in March 2010 and gained a literal and figurative following in Las Vegas. Of the mobile eatery's roughly 7,500 Twitter followers and about 10,000 Facebook fans, Centennial Hills residents most represented those who chased Slidin' Thru around town, Guerrero said.

"Food trucks are an amazing way to test the market," he said. "We started noticing what part of town did better than others. From our observation, the northwest had our most loyal fan base."

Guerrero said stops in Centennial Hills often meant long lines and patrons hungry for another visit.

"We figured we'd give back to them," he said.

Guerrero launched Slidin' Thru as a 23-year-old fresh out of culinary school.

"I didn't see myself slaving in the back of a kitchen and paying $40K to do that," he said.

He was inspired by a Los Angeles-based Korean taco truck that had 60,000-plus Twitter followers. The food truck craze was slowly gaining steam when Guerrero purchased the one and only Slidin' Thru truck on Craigslist early last year.

Guerrero hired five friends to man the grills and work the window. The group, self-dubbed the Five Star Power, worked 12- to 16-hour days spreading the company's name and building a food truck reputation in town.

"We bought a food truck with no prior experience, and I hadn't even worked in a kitchen," Guerrero said. "I just jumped off the cliff to see if I had wings to fly."

Slidin' Thru had a stint as a partner with a local bar, but the agreement dissolved. Guerrero set up with investors to fund the Centennial Hills restaurant and a second location that is slated to open in February in the southwest part of Las Vegas.

The Slidin' Thru food truck will continue to do mobile business, Guerrero said, and its signature menu is to be much the same at the static locations. Guerrero hopes to unveil a chicken substitute on his beef sliders when business settles down at the Centennial Hills store.

Guerrero hired about 60 people to man the restaurant. The new employees were tested on opening night of Slidin' Thru restaurant with long lines and big appetites.

Ashley Nehls waited for 50 minutes -- she timed the wait on her cellphone -- to get her favorite sliders, the Pep Pep with bacon and "super sauce" and the Pulled Porky with caramelized jalapenos and barbecue sauce.

"I'm happy it's here," she said. "I see myself coming often. I check online where the truck is every now and then but this will always be here. It's comforting almost."

Guerrero said he enjoyed being among his customers and giving high-fives and fist bumps. He requests that his staff be as upbeat.

"We put on a show and see guests enjoy it directly," he said. "It's all about making smiles. If we're smiling, guests will leave with a smile."

Guerrero has long-term goals to open 1,000 stores in 10 years, he said.

He said he receives inquires about franchises daily.

"It's grown so much bigger than me," he said. "It's been overwhelming. Honestly, I pinch myself each day (and ask), 'Is this real life?' "

The Slidin' Thru restaurant is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit slidinthru.com.

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.