Rutland restaurant dishes up authentic Latin American eats and treats
An eatery in Rutland is busy this summer dishing out authentic Latin American favourites like tamales, tacos, churros and empanadas.
Originally from Colombia, Jacqueline Jimenez and her husband Carlos Velez bring the flavours of Colombia, Cuba and Mexico to the community at their Salsa & Sabor Restaurant, and they also make their own fresh salsa.
“I always wanted to bring Latin food to Canada to share more about our country, the culture, the flavours,” she said.
Jimenez has lots of experience creating Latin dishes, she grew up in Colombia working at her grandmother’s restaurant and that’s where her passion to cook and create began.
Since starting a small takeout outlet in 2021, the business expanded to serve takeout, delivery and even a summer outdoor sit-down option. The restaurant is busiest during the summer months in part because it's tourist season and in part because Mexican migrant workers make regular stops for meals.
“For my husband and me, we feel really happy because Colombian community sometimes want our food and have to travel to find it so we can bring a little piece of our culture here,” she said. “I have a lot of return customers every day. Since the beginning I have the same customers and new ones are still coming."
The menu has lots to offer including starters, sandwiches, tamales, tacos and Mexican bowls, but a big fan favourite is the empanadas.
“Canadians like Colombian empanadas, it's like samosa but made on corn dough,” Jimenez said. “They're stuffed with mashed potatoes, cheese and your choice of meat.”
Empanadas Colombianas are the first option listed on the menu: “A fried corn crust stuffed with seasoned mashed potatoes. With an option of cheese, chicken or beef. You can pair it with our homemade encurtido (a crunchy pickled appetizer and condiment made with vegetables, such as onion, peppers, cilantro, carrots and beets in vinegar brine) or one of our home hot sauces on the side.”
The six styles of salsa range from mild to super spicy — one of them is specially made for Colombian empanadas and one is for sandwiches – and the goal is to bottle it locally in the future.
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“We are working to find a company to start bottling the salsa,” she said. “The most popular one is the mild jalapeno so that’s the one we’re going to start with.”
Foodies might want to save room for churros for dessert.
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Serving Rutland, Kelowna and West Kelowna, Salsa & Sabor Restaurant is located at 540 Hollywood Road in Kelowna. It is open Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Go here to see the full menu at Salsa & Sabor Restaurant.
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