Cameron Davies of Cruising Kitchens and El Camino founder Ricky Ortiz have opened a food truck version of Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant Perfect Tender at El Camino (1009 Ave B). The two San Antonio culinary dynamos say the rollout is the first step in building what they hope will be the nation's next dining sensation.

Ortiz introduced the concept in April, at 6565 Babcock Rd. #9. While the first Perfect Tender was a brick-and-mortar with a sports bar atmosphere, Davies' expertise in custom mobile fabrication will help scale the brand. According to a press release, the truck will serve as a prototype for both a rolling fleet and standalone locations.

"Perfect Tender isn't just food — it's an experience. This new truck at El Camino is our proof of concept — and the beginning of something much bigger," promises Ortiz via the release.

Perfect Tender taps into the craze for Nashville hot chicken, a Tennessee creation that dates back to the '30s. Since the late 2000s, the fiery dish has become a worldwide phenomenon, spreading from cult restaurants like Hattie B's Hot Chicken to major fast-food chains like KFC.

Ortiz doesn't upend the formula, serving wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches in a range of spice levels, from mild lemon pepper to the cheeky F.A.F.O. In a bit of showmanship, the latter comes with no refunds and requires a waiver.

The sides skip over Southern staples like grits and greens in favor of Texas favorites such as fried pickles, jalapeño poppers, and giant Cheeto-breaded mozzarella sticks. There's a version of Hattie B's famous loaded fries — slathered in ranch or queso instead of Comeback sauce.

Davies and Ortiz both have a wealth of experience in the food business. Ortiz builds bespoke food trucks for clients like Shaquille O'Neal and H-E-B. In addition to founding El Camino and Perfect Tender, Ortiz created Bésame, which was destroyed in a March fire after he had sold the business.

"We've helped brands scale nationwide — but with Perfect Tender, we're not just building a truck; we're building a franchise we own and grow together," said Davies in a statement. "The flavor, the brand, the vision — this is the kind of concept that becomes a household name."

Perfect Tender is not the first joint project for the business partners. In April, they announced a West Side business incubator called Cruising Kitchens Commissary, located at 702 San Fernando St. The concept is set to debut in the upcoming months.