Alejandra Palacios' look at Latino food trucks
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- With such a rich and diverse food truck scene in Milwaukee, it can be hard to decide what to try.
To showcase some unique Latino owned food trucks in the Milwaukee area, Alejandra Palacios visited Las Virellas and Sabor Culichi for this week's 58 Hometowns look at food trucks.
Mildred and Carolin Virella are the owners of Las Virellas, a food truck located in the Zocalo Food Truck Park in the Third Ward on 636 S 6th St.
"Everything we make here is from scratch and we cook it with love and passion," says Mildred.
The couple from Puerto Rico was inspired to start their business to honor and share their culture with others through homemade, traditional Puerto Rican dishes. The food truck is also a project they want to hand down to their children in the future.
With tropical drinks, cheese balls, spicy crabs, grilled chicken, surf & turf, and more, there is no shortage to choose from their menu that makes you feel like you are in Puerto Rico.
"The mofongo, it's a very popular dish in Puerto Rico. Mofongo is green plantain fried, then we mash it with garlic sauce, chicken broth, chicharron de pollo It's an explosion of flavors," said Virella.
She also shared with us what their most popular dish is.
"The most popular is the Boricua box, it's Puerto Rican rice, arroz con gandule, pork, tostones. Tostones is a green plantain we smash and fry. The meal comes with green salad," said Virella.
The other food truck, Sabor Culichi, is located on the southside of Milwaukee on 2725 S 27TH St. It is a family run business by the Baez family.
"The inspiration of the food truck is where we are from, Sinaloa, Mexico. The inspiration of Mexican sushi comes from that state," said Adolfo Baez.
The food truck is seafood with a Mexican twist.
"We are super known for our deep-fried sushi. We have a different amount of sushi rolls. Some come with bacon, chicken, beef, but it's all deep fried and cooked," said Baez.
Besides deep-fried sushi, they also offer ceviche, shrimp tacos, orange chicken, fried rice, and more. The Baez family says they feel grateful to share their culture and unique take on seafood with the community.
"We are extremely proud. We are a family-owned business. As a Latino, getting our name out there as Sabor Culichi, it’s a very big accomplishment," said Baez.