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| - I have been told good things about Sticky Ricky's from friends when the conversation would turn to the food trucks. Who's new? Who's taking street food to the next level? Who is killing it in the kitchen? With the plethora of new food trucks these days, its sad to think that a few of them may not be here next year. Food trucks are a fad, and in this early stage of the game here in Calgary, a lot of standard fare is making the buzz as something exciting when, in fact, it's not out of the ordinary.
Enter Sticky Ricky's. This Louisiana-inspired food truck offers up Southern style comfort food with a taste of New Orleans. So there are no crawfish. Let's remember, we're in Calgary, and the frozen stuff that you can get here pales in comparison to the freshly caught ones from the Gulf. Even in the Gulf you have to wait til the season is in full swing to enjoy them. Regional cuisine is great, but what I think makes it so, is the resourcefulness and creativity of making good food from what's locally available. It's the essence of cuisine...it evolves.
Take for instance the Gumbo-Laya. It's a hybrid of 2 very well-known dishes. The folks at Sticky Ricky's has taken some great elements of these recipes and put them together in a fun and delicious item that is sure to satisfy. The technique to make a great gumbo lies in the roux, which has always been made one of 2 ways, depending on if you're Cajun or Creole. Either way, the result is a complex base that starts the flavour profile on its way. As a result, the Gumbo-Laya is a savoury and tasty mix with a touch of heat. The generous chunks of sausage, chicken and large jumbo prawns make this a seriously delicious and hearty $10 item. Add to that the fluffy rice and the thick, grilled slice of cornbread and you've got yourself a meal that I have never seen executed as well in a brick and mortar.
The thing I admire most about this is the fearless approach to the food. It doesn't try to be the next best thing outside of New Orleans or hide behind smoke and mirrors (beer and beads in this case). It's honest, it's straight forward and it's just good food. If you want to sample great street food, here is a great place to start.
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