Business
Food carts
Rolling restaurants find their fans
By Melissa Wagoner Food carts are gaining in popularity across the state including in the Willamette Valley. With low overhead and ease of mobility, cart owners can combat getting mired in an unprofitable area by picking up and moving to a new spot. Creativity also flows on menus that are varied and often change with the wipe of a white board.
El Caporal Taqueria Leo Uribe came to the United States from Mexico when he was just 15 years old. In his native country he spent little time in the kitchen because he was told it was a woman’s work. Once in the US things changed.
El Caporal owner Leo Uribe and employee Cesar Llamas.
“Eighty percent or more of people [immigrating from Mexico] work in the kitchen,” he said.
enough money we started out with an old truck; (a) 1972,” Uribe explained.
Uribe spent five years working in big restaurants in Los Angeles before coming to Oregon and working in his uncle’s restaurant in Portland. There he learned how to make many of the spice blends that would eventually feature on his menu of authentic Mexican cuisine at El Caporal.
Starting out in Molalla in 2008, the couple moved their truck to Silverton in 2010 and eventually upgraded to a newer model, reserving the older version for catering.
In 2008 Uribe and his wife Albe Campos, both 32 with three children, purchased their first food truck. “Because I want to start my own business and I don’t have
When Uribe upgraded his truck he also overhauled his menu increasing from a handful of items to over 25, the most popular of which are the tacos and burritos. “I have many students from the high school, doctors, mechanics. We’re close to the school and the hospital,” he said.
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City Leaders Want You to Know 1. August 7 City Council Meeting at 7:00pm – Representative Rick Lewis will give a report on the Legislative Bills passed during the 2017 Legislative Session.
2. August 7 City Council Meeting at 7:00pm – Discussion on the removal of three metered parking stalls on First Street for public transit service.
3. Eugene Field Property – The City Council approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement for acquisition madetosparklecleaning@outlook.com
of the property for a future Police Station/Civic Center. Stay tuned for periodic updates.
4. Silverton Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program provides finance assistance up to $25,000 for housing repairs. Eligible repairs include health and safety, electrical and plumbing upgrades, structural repairs, heating, roofing, and weatherization. For more information visit the City’s website at www.silverton.or.us under Spotlight on Silverton.
5. Silverton Addendum to Marion County Hazard Mitigation Plan is now available online at www.silverton.or.us/emergencymanagement
6. Silverton Community Notices Bulletin Board – The City requests that residents use the new
Community Board located at the Lewis St. parking lot. Signs at the intersections of Main/McClaine Streets and Second/C Streets will be removed in accordance with City Code. For the safety of our residents and visitors, please post garage sale signs and other community notices on the Community Board.
7. Drug Take-Back Program – To help our citizens properly dispose of expired or unused prescription and over-the-counter medications, the City has a collection box at City Hall inside the Finance Department. Please, no intravenous solutions, injectable, or needles.
pioneerplanning@frontier.com
Be Informed, complete details on these topics are located on the City’s website: www.silverton.or.us/News
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August 2017 • 5