They closed their food truck during COVID. Now, mother-and-son duo has new gig
Until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Pam Bugler, and her son, Simon, were partners in a Wichita food truck called Against the Grain, which specialized in gluten-free and dairy-free dishes.
Now, the duo is getting back together for a new food venture: They’ve recently revived food service at Roxy’s Downtown, the theater at 412 1/2 E. Douglas, and are calling their new business The Daily Special ICT.
The Buglers started serving food at the theater in August after approaching the owners and making a pitch. Though Roxy’s has served food along with its shows off and on, the kitchen had been dark for months, something Pam noticed when she attended a show and learned she couldn’t get dinner.
The first show the Buglers cooked for was “Evita.” Since then, they’ve also served at “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and are now feeding people who attend “Dwight Christmas,” which will continue its run through Saturday and on Dec. 23.
The duo — Simon does the cooking and Pam makes the desserts — started off by offering small plates that matched the theme of the show on stage. At Evita, they offered a Mediterranean dish called fasoulia. For “Rocky Horror,” they served theater specials like Frank-N-Furter hot dogs and Riff Raff loaded nachos.
For “Dwight Christmas,” a holiday show based on former president Dwight Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, they’re serving meals of homemade meatloaf or barbecue chicken drumsticks, each served with mashed potatoes and green beans. For dessert, Pam said, she’s making two of Mamie Eisenhower’s favorites: apple pie and fudge.
The two have ideas to expand the business as well: After the holidays, Pam said, they may start offering food for pickup and delivery outside the shows.
After closing their food truck in July 2020, the Buglers both took other jobs. But they always dreamed of working together again, Pam said.
They like Roxy’s because it typically is open only three or four days a week.
“I don’t feel like we’re overextended and stressed out as much as with running a food truck and trying to find locations,” Pam said. “It’s been a really good experience. We’re eternally grateful that Roxy’s gave us the opportunity.”
This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM.
.jpg)