by Kelsey Tidball | photos by Benji Rothenberg

Content Sponsored by Hungry Ducks
Ever wonder exactly who shows up at your door when you order from Hungry Ducks? Usually, they knock, you pay, and they’re on their way. But what if you could get to know the beautiful human who helps satisfy your appetite and curb your munchies? Nelson Trujillo, a fourth-year double major in human physiology and popular music studies, is one of the people behind the curtain. We sat down with him to hear more about his experiences as a Hungry Ducks driver.
Emerald Essentials: How long have you been working with Hungry Ducks?
Nelson Trujillo: I have been driving for them since last April.
EE: How many hours do you work per week?
NT: I usually work between 20-22 hours a week.
EE: What’s your favorite shift to work?
NT: The Sunday afternoon shift has been my jam lately. It’s usually busy pretty much all day and people are just at home studying. It’s kind of nice to see everyone just hanging out and enjoying their weekends and it’s kind of relaxing for me to drive around town a little bit.
EE: What’s the strangest encounter you’ve ever had with a customer?
NT: I drove all the way out to Springfield one night on an order and I started to realize that I was heading out of the residential area. I was around all these businesses and warehouses I didn’t recognize and the GPS lead me into this parking lot. I pulled into the parking lot and realized it was a strip club. This woman ran up to the car when she saw me and was all, “Are you Nelson?” She was on her break or something and just really needed chips and queso from Qdoba. She was so happy to see me and get her food. I drove away and was like, “I just delivered food to a stripper.” It was awesome.
EE: What’s the most positive encounter you’ve ever had on the job?
NT: There are a lot of cute dogs that I run into. Sometimes they watch me come to the door and then they start barking or scratching at the door or whatever, but some of them are so cute and I get to pet them and say hi. That’s one of the fun parts of the job.
EE: What is the best part of the job?
NT: The hours are great. We really are our own bosses. We get to work when we can and set our own hours, and it’s a great way to make really good money.
EE: What is the worst part of the job?
NT: Sometimes it’s discouraging to tally up the money I’m making as I go along during a shift. Not everybody tips and it can seem like a waste of time if I try to keep tabs of what I’m making along the way. It’s always better to just wait until the end of the shift. I usually end up making a decent amount of money even if it seems like I’m not.
EE: What’s your favorite restaurant that you deliver for?
NT: They are really nice at Pita Pit and Hole-in-the-Wall Barbecue and at a couple other places, but I love eating at Evergreen Indian Cuisine. Sometimes I pick food up there and put it in my car and it smells so good— especially when I’m hungry. And my girlfriend works at Bon Mi, so I suppose that is one of my favorite places, too. I sometimes get to see her when I pick up there.
EE: How has working the job changed your perception of your peers and the community?
NT: It has definitely made getting around Eugene easier. I get to know the area so well, so now I feel like I can drive anywhere and find anything. I go out on the town less now that I am a senior, and it’s kind of fun to go through all of the motions of being a freshman and sophomore again. And it’s kind of fun to see all of the younger students enjoying Eugene.
EE: Have you ever encountered anything particularly gross while working?
NT: There are a lot of gross things that happen, especially on Thursday and Friday nights. I think it was the first Thursday night of this school year. I was waiting around for food at Caspian’s and some girl was throwing up everywhere. And sometimes the houses I deliver to smell kinda gross. It can get really weird.
EE: Do you have any advice for people who order over Hungry Ducks?
NT: Make sure you follow the instructions on the app. Customize your order if you need to for dietary restrictions and communicate really well with the restaurants so you get exactly what you want.
EE: Do you ever order from Hungry Ducks?
NT: I have a few times. It was mostly before I started working there, but I sometimes drop off at my co-workers’ houses and they open the door and I’m like, “Hey!”
EE: What’s your favorite thing to listen to while you drive?
NT: I listen to a lot of electronic music to kind of pump myself, but if it’s been a long shift and I’m stressed out, I listen to some more mellow stuff. And I listen to a lot of podcasts. Right now, I love Harmontown, the podcast by the creator of “Rick and Morty,” Dan Harmon.