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Smoke on the Water: Inside the food boat that set sail on Lake James

Chef Mark McGuire said his vision of a floating food truck was a pipe dream a few years ago.

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — We've all heard of food trucks, but a trip to Lake James in McDowell County gives you something even better. 

A food boat

Chef Mark McGuire launched his food boat, Smoke on the Water, over Memorial Day weekend. He serves everything from standard grilled foods like hot dogs and burgers to his homemade buffalo chicken dip, pulled pork and cold drinks and ice cream. 

"It's like a food truck but floating," McGuire said.

It's pretty simple, too. If you see him and the boat out on the water, just pull up alongside and enjoy. 

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"Seeing someone bite into my food and go, 'mmm, that's good,' that touches my heart," McGuire said. 

Smoke on the Water currently hits the lake on Tuesdays and Fridays, but McGuire says he plans to be out seven days a week starting in August. 

And don't worry about breaking your budget, every meal he serves is under $10. 

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