Recap: DC’s Latin Flavor Fest

Our nation’s capital started heating up this week, hosting the delicious, annual Latin Flavor Fest. The Sizzling Summer Kick Off, focusing on Latin food and culture, started off with salsa making, a food demo, and heavy rain. But by noon, the skies were bright and the crowds took the time to enjoy all that the DC Latin Flavor Fest had to offer.

Though many of the vendors got rained out, there was still a great mix of regional dishes to try. The best buy went to the tacos at the Latin and American Flavors food truck. Heralded by Ivan, the mastermind behind the beloved truck, the food was simple and relied on its fresh ingredients to shine, and that they did! Offerings included chicken or steak burritos, chicken tamales, enchiladas, and chicken or steak tacos, and a mean vegetarian version with rice, beans, lettuce and pico. The crowning jewel of these scrumptious tacos was the cilantro sauce: a mixture of tangy and sweet crema, fresh cilantro and a hint of raw garlic made these tacos sing.

Among the other offerings were made-to-order pupusas. With endless filling combinations like black beans, pork and cheese, black beans, chicken and cheese or black beans, steak and cheese, the hot sauce added just enough spice, while the cole slaw added texture and tang.

Moving to the South American continent, Restaurant Huascarán served authentic Peruvian cuisine including ceviche. The Huascarán version usually includes shrimp, squid and celery, but instead, the restaurant went the traditional route with chopped onion, salt, pepper and cilantro to bring all of those flavors together. The restaurant also dished out plenty of arroz con pollo and a parrillada mixta with chicken and steak.

With bachata playing in the background, the fest was full of dancing couples, children playing and everyone carrying a delectable plate in hand. Vendors had lots of little peluches, stuffed animals, and toys in stock for the little ones while Hawaiian Snow had a slew of margaritas and mixed drinks including the classic piña colada.

Whether you came for the food, the music or the vendors, you got it all! The inaugural year of the DC Latin Flavor Fest was bursting with flavor and fun. We can’t wait to see what next year’s fest has to offer!