In a gravel lot, across from The Vern, Rafael Luis Garcia is quietly turning out some of the most exciting Peruvian food in Portland.
A native of Trujillo, Peru, a coastal city in the country’s northwest, Garcia spent 19 years managing McDonald’s restaurants in Utah and Portland before making the leap to owning his own truck. Salt & Pepper (not affiliated with the restaurant on SE Powell with the same name) boasts a massive menu, although Garcia rotates the availability of certain dishes (I still haven’t caught him on a day when he’s actually making causa, a historically delicious mashed potato terrine of sorts, layered with proteins like chicken or seafood.)
But the limited availability is how Garcia makes sure what he’s serving is always fresh—and wildly flavorful.
