Want to go?
WHAT: La Pampa Grill
INFO: Facebook.com/lapampagrill/ or https://marianorios.wordpress.com/
Authentic Argentine cuisine is only a food truck away.
Hailing from the vast lowlands region known as the pampa, Chef Mariano Rios brings the land of gauchos and cattle to the Miami Valley through his mobile restaurant, La Pampa Grill.
Rios lives in Yellow Springs with his wife and son, and his farm-to-table approach means he sources all his meats and vegetables from local farms and markets. His resume, posted on his blog, is extensive. He went to culinary school in Argentina, and has cooked in Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the United States.
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I was recently enjoying a Wobbly Wheel Imperial India Pale Ale at Yellow Springs Brewery, and when a plate of grilled chicken wings with chimichurri was delivered to another customer on the patio, I jumped up and made a beeline to the parking lot, where Rios' grill was stationed.
Deciding was the tough part: in addition to the wings, the menu included Chori-pan (a classic Argentine submarine sandwich), a Tom’s Market Flank Steak with rice and veggies, and Acorn Squash grilled and stuffed with veggies and rice.
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In the end, I chose the Chori-pan, chock full of local pork sausage, grilled veggies on organic baguette bread with chimichurri made with fresh herbs. It couldn’t have been any better.
As summer turns to autumn and apple-picking season begins, Rios will be stationed frequently at Peifer Orchards Farmer Market, located at 4590 N. US-68, heading north of Yellow Springs before you get to Young's Jersey Dairy Farm.
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