Das Mountain Food Truck in North Dakota: Meet the Chef
We sat down with Executive Chef Zachary Achtenberg of Das Mountain Traveling Kitchen in North Dakota. Das Mountain strives to provide their guests with authentic German fusion cuisine rooted in tradition. Nothing brings them greater joy than hearing someone say their food evokes cherished memories of their childhood.
Das Mountain Food Truck in North Dakota: Meet the Chef
Tell us about what your morning routine looks like, and how you like to end your day?
Das Mountain is only open Thursday through Saturday evenings for dinner service. My day typically starts with menu planning and sourcing ingredients for the service weekend. Each morning is a little different as far as prep goes with early afternoons spent making sure everything is set for that night’s service. By the end of the day, I like to chill with my wife and maybe catch up on what happened during her work day.
Do you have any awards or achievements you’d like to mention?
Das Mountain was awarded platinum awards in Bismarck Community Votes in both the German cuisine and food truck categories in 2024 and 2025.
Do you have a favorite chef that you look up to and what advice would you give to aspiring chefs?
I really like what Mason Hereford does at Turkey and the Wolf in New Orleans. Mason is such a laid back guy and seems like he would be a blast to work with in the kitchen. I think one thing that I have learned from cooking is to allow myself to make mistakes and don’t be too hard on myself. Cooking can be really stressful, especially in fast/busy situations and taking steps one at a time is really helpful.
Das Mountain Food Truck in North Dakota: Meet the Chef
What do you typically cook at home?
I enjoy experimenting with Japanese cuisine. It’s tons of hard work, but its one of my favorite cuisine types.
What’s a food trend that you’re loving right now and why?
I really like seeing more kids in the kitchen and seeing them take interest in cooking. More and more cooking classes oriented around kids are popping up and it truly makes me happy to see.
What’s the strangest food combination you’ve ever tried? And, did you like it?
We have a local pizza place in Mandan called Black Lions pub and pizza. They have a pizza called Zeus’s orchard that features gorgonzola and pear. It’s a wild combination that is easily one of my favorites. The sharpness of the cheese works really well with the baked pear.
What drink do you enjoy most?
I enjoy a good craft beer. Das Mountain parks at both Dialectic Brewing Company and Cider house and BuAalo Commons Brewing Company throughout the week. Dialectic serves a mean Irish Red, and Buffalo Commons has an amazing IPA both are easily my favorites.
Have you ever cooked for a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell?
Have you ever cooked for a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell? Last year I had the incredible opportunity to head down to E3 Ranch in Kansas with Kill Creek Craft BBQ to cook for the cast and crew of Buck Commander. They are truly some of the best people, and even though you are in the presence of famous Country artists and professional baseball and football players, it felt like I was cooking for family.
What’s your Instagram so readers can follow you?
It’s @Dasmountainkitchen.
Das Mountain Food Truck in North Dakota: Meet the Chef
Why should readers visit Das Mountain Food Truck in North Dakota?
Mandan, North Dakota has so much to offer throughout the year. Our little town has a couple of stellar breweries, cocktail bars, and lots to choose from as far as food options. At Das Mountain I hope to offer our customers a taste of German fusion stemmed in tradition. The best feeling for me is seeing someone enjoy our food and tell me it reminds them of their childhood.