tentenSilent Bob a.k.a. Kevin Smith may be looking slim and trim these days, but he still appreciates a good burger and with his new pop-up inspired by the fictional fast food joint from the writer/director’s films including Dogma and Clerks II, he’s aiming to bring Mooby’s to the masses.
The long-planned Mooby’s pop-up experience in West Hollywood encountered a couple of set-backs (as all food places did) when Covid guidelines were implemented, but they turned lemons into lemonade -or as the joint calls their citrus drink, “King of the Juice.” They did not build the dine-in experience as previously planned as a precaution, so transitioning to a socially distanced “pick-up experience” was fairly seemless. It’s been a hit with movie fans wanting to sample its array of purple-packaged eats including: “Mooby’s Cow Tipper” double cheeseburgers, “Lasagna sandwich Reboot,” the “Cocksmoker” chicken sandwich, “Onion Rings to Rule Them All” and “Hater Tots.”
(Derek Berry)
Still, the virus has been an understandable hurdle. “Who wants to leave the house when the numbers are spiking,” Smith tells L.A. Weekly. “But the good news is we can deliver right to your house as well.” Postmates has been Mooby’s official delivery partner since the pop-up began.
The thematic bites should make for a perfect order option this weekend, as ComicCon attempts its first “at home” experience featuring stars from TV, film, comics, and more online. Smith, by the way, is moderating what many consider the most buzz-worthy panel: Bill & Ted Face the Music, reuniting Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter to discuss the Excellent Adventure follow-up film.
Although Smith says the idea for the pop-up wasn’t something he had necessarily always wanted to do, he does admit while filming Dogma – where the eatery made its film debut- he thought about it actually existing. “We filmed outside of a Burger King and I thought, man wouldn’t it be cool if this was real,” he says. “So it only took 21 years for a whimsy to become a reality, but I did not pursue it, it just kinda happened.”
He’s clearly having fun with it, but Smith also felt it was important to give back during the pandemic, so early on, there was a delivery promotion benefiting No Us Without You, a charity providing food for families of undocumented restaurant workers during the pandemic. They also created official “socially distanced” t-shirt to spread the message of safety in food service and beyond with proceeds going to a Clean Up South Central group.
Mooby’s latest move promises to widen the pasture for Smith’s vision even more- with the creation of a nationwide delivery meal kit in conjunction with Goldbelly marketplace. The special delivery kits offered through the service include supplies to create burgers, pretzels, and more with Mooby’s logo cups, snack bags, and swag. Order at goldbelly.com/moobys.
(Derek Berry)
And if ComicCon and his foray into the food biz wasn’t keeping him busy enough, the filmmaker also just announced a one night only drive in movie pop up for his 50th Birthday. The event, scheduled for Monday, August 3, will screen the Jay & Silent Bob Reboot, and feature a discussion with Smith after the film. Mooby’s pop up grub, will of course, be available and proceeds from the event will benefit the LA Food Bank. More info on that event at: exploretock.com/moobyspopup/event/165868/kevin-smiths-drive-in-b-day-bash.
Mooby’s Pop-Up, 7100 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. More info at https://www.moobyspopup.com/