DANTE'S
ROLLING
FOOD JOINT

Built on Family, Friendship & a Genuine Love for Feeding People

My name is Dante Odunkesenler, and I was born and raised in Findlay, Ohio. Growing up in a family led by a hardworking single mother of five, I learned early on the value of hard work, determination, and bringing people together around food.

My grandfather introduced me to the rich traditions of Mediterranean cooking, while my grandmother specialized in classic American comfort food. Looking back, those moments around the stove laid the foundation for everything that would come later.

I spent the next six years at Fins Seafood & Grill in Findlay, Ohio, where I had the opportunity to learn from an incredible team of people. Chef Damon was an outstanding mentor — his leadership, knowledge, and passion kept that kitchen running for years, and I'm grateful for everything I learned during my time there.

In 2021, I began cooking meals from home and posting them on Facebook, simply to see if anyone would be interested. What started as a simple idea quickly turned into a weekly Sunday tradition. Family and friends jumped in to help prepare meals and make deliveries, and before long we had built a loyal following in our community. Those Sundays reminded me that food has an incredible way of bringing people together.

Then, in 2022, everything changed. Through my brother-in-law, I had the pleasure of meeting Nathan Balko. From our very first conversations, it was obvious we shared the same vision, work ethic, and dream of building something meaningful. We spent the next year planning every detail — our menu, our brand, our name, and a custom food truck. That dream became Dante's Rolling Food Joint.

There is one person who deserves far more credit than she'll ever ask for, and that's my fiancée, Madeline. She's been by my side since the very beginning of this journey — through every late night, early morning, setback, and success. When Dante's Rolling Food Joint became a reality, she didn't hesitate to jump in. From serving customers and helping prep food to working events, supporting our team, and keeping me motivated on the toughest days, she's been involved every step of the way. Building this business has never been a one-person effort, and I truly couldn't have done it without her unwavering support. In October of last year, I had the privilege of asking her to marry me, and she said yes.

In just two years, we've served nearly 10,000 orders, met thousands of incredible customers, and created memories that we'll never forget. We aren't just serving food — we're creating experiences, building relationships, and becoming part of the communities we serve. From our family to yours, thank you for allowing us to do what we love.