Carnivale, the iconic award-winning Latin-fusion restaurant located in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, will expand beyond its brick and mortar location on October 10, 2016. That’s when the restaurant’s food truck is set to hit the road, serving foodies’ favorites such as its renowned arrachera steak, prepared as a sandwich, and a chorizo burger topped with a spicy a aji amarillo aioli. A new mobile menu featuring a classic Cuban sandwich and hand-cut french fries served in three different styles: chimichurri, Disco (New York poutine style) or Parmesan truffle are also part of the on the go plans.
"The food truck is going to be an extension of the Carnivale restaurant experience, so we have to replicate our bold flavors and quality. Even though the menu is casual, featuring sandwiches, burgers and tacos, it was important to us to only use the best ingredients like prime beef, wild caught cod, and hand-made corn tortillas," explained Executive Chef Rodolfo Cuadros.
Chef Cuadros is taking the bold flavors guests savor in the restaurant and bringing new dishes to the street (from left to right) a savory Mexican Arrachera Steak Sandwich, fresh and zesty Crispy Cod Tacos, and a classic Cuban Sandwich.
Carnivale's mobile menu will feature classic Latin street food and traditional American lunch items prepared with a Latin twist, including:
Ropa Vieja ($9) - Braised brisket on a sweet plantain, pico, aji Amarillo, cilantro, queso fresco
Carnivale Guacamole ($7) - Homemade chips, pickled jalapenos, cilantro
Crispy Cod Fish Tacos ($10) - Crispy cod, fresh tortilla, vigoron slaw, chipotle aioli, cilantro
Cuban Sandwich ($10) - Braised pork shoulder, smoked ham, pickles, Dijon mustard, aioli, provolone cheese
Frita Cuban Burger ($10) - Chorizo burger, brioche bun, aged cheddar, aji amarillo aioli, shoestring fries
Buenos Aires Burger ($11) - Fresh ground beef on a brioche bun, grilled red onions, tomato, provolone cheese, chimichurri, aioli
Hand-cut French Fries ($5) - with Chimichurri, Disco, or Parmesan truffle
Arrachera Steak Sandwich ($9) - Arrachera a la plancha, green papaya slaw, pickled jalapenos, chili aioli, cucumber, cilantro
Passion-fruit Cheesecake Lollipop ($6)
Cotton Candy ($4) - with house-made caramel Corn
According to General Manager Ozzie Godoy, the food truck truly is Carnivale restaurant on wheels. "Carnivale is a fun, festive, colorful, restaurant. Down to each and every detail, the food truck is an extension of our brand, mirroring the atmosphere of the restaurant from our bold colors, to the quality of the food, to the music we play. We even outfitted the truck with a cotton-candy machine to make our signature dessert.”
The Carnivale food truck will operate year-round, seven days a week, and will be seen all over the Chicagoland area, including designated downtown food truck stops, neighborhood and suburban locations, and Chicagoland festivals. It will also be available for private event catering like outdoor office parties, client entertainment, charity fundraisers and block parties.