*A Houston-area food truck called The Spread Bus has drawn widespread attention for serving food inspired by meals created behind bars.
The concept centers on prison spreads, a dish made by combining instant ramen with corn puffs, snacks, meats, and seasonings in a container. The Spread Bus operates at 2916 W. Mt. Houston Rd. and limits its menu to this single item. Manager Brychelle Anderson told Houston Chronicle Food Editor John-Henry Perera that the business began in 2024 after her boyfriend, who owns the truck, visited a convenience store in Acres Homes selling spreads. “So we went in there to try and we’re like, ‘they’re not the best,” Anderson said. “So [the owner’s] like, ‘one day, I’m going to open a food truck, and I want to sell spreads.’”
Spreads are typically made from commissary items to enhance the flavor of institutional food. The significance of spreads has even elevated ramen to a form of currency in some U.S. prisons…