BENJY EGEL

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Dozens of boats cruise around Folsom Lake each summer weekend. Ruby Shields’ is the most popular ship on the water.

Shields is the co-owner of Anchored Eats, a new nautical food truck she parks in the middle of the lake on weekends or along the banks of Lake Natoma.

A former lead line cook at Selland’s Market-Cafe in El Dorado Hills and current virtual sales specialist for Apple, Shields was pursuing her MBA from Sacramento State when she and her wife/co-owner Rebecca conceived of Anchored Eats.

They always seemed to run out of food when they took their boat out on the lake, and had seen plenty of drunk passengers who looked like they could really use a burger or loaded fries. Why not fill that niche, Shields thought?

The couple bought a 10-by-32-foot 1969 Kayot houseboat from a Eureka resident in 2020, gutted it and installed a commercial kitchen. Anchored Eats co-owner and the Shields’ roommate Ben Shirley built decks around the boat so other boaters could tie up and stand around while their food is being made; they can also pull up to order, then jet around the lake until their food is ready.

“It’s a really cool system. It’s like a drive-through on the water, essentially,” Ruby Shields said.

Anchored Eats debuted in July 2021, but had to stay on the Lake Natoma shoreline because of Folsom Lake’s low water levels. This year, though, they have been able to use the boat on the water as intended.

The menu has an aquatic theme, from Yacht Club Fries tossed in truffle salt and Parmesan to the Pigs Can Swim carnitas tacos with honey-cilantro slaw and cotija. Anchored Eats exclusively uses fresh meat for all dishes, including the Jellyfish Jam Burger (1/3 pound beef, boat-made raspberry compote, extra-sharp white cheddar, lettuce, and “Anchor Sauce” similar to Thousand Island dressing).

Anchored Eats offers weekly specials, such as a pulled pork sandwich slathered with barbecue sauce made from El Dorado County plums. Shields said entrees cost about $11.

Shields has tried making ceviche and fruit salads, but they don’t sell as well as heavier eats, she said.

“What we found is, essentially, people want the classics when they’re out there,” she said. “They want a meal. They want a burger, even if it’s 101 degrees out, or french fries or some other typical American food.”

Anchored Eats can be found in Folsom Lake or along the Lake Natoma shoreline from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and major holidays, including July 4. Follow the boat on Instagram at @anchoredeats or check out anchoredeats.com for exact locations.