CHARLOTTE – The Panthers were the first to taste the offerings of quarterback Cam Newton's new food truck, "Smokn' Aces."

Newton's truck officially opens Sunday when the Panthers host the 49ers, but it made a special early appearance, rolling up to Bank of America Stadium to serve the team lunch after Thursday's practice.

The truck specializes in chicken, fish and shrimp, and also features a variety of Po Boys.

"It's good," said head coach Ron Rivera, who foot the bill for the players and staff. "The Po Boys are really good, they really are."

Newton said he created the food truck to further connect with the Charlotte community.

"I just want to have an opportunity to be around more people and talk to more people on my own terms," Newton said. "Often times as athletes, if we're in public it's contractual, or you're trying to be private and you may not want to be bothered.

"I think the food truck just gives me the opportunity to be normal. What better scene than to have a food truck in Charlotte, where it's notorious, Food Truck Friday is something that I love to swoop in every now and then."