Travel The World, But In Laramie This Week
Laramie Main Street Alliance invites you to “travel the world without leaving our state” at the 2023 Laramie International Flavor Festival on April 4-8th.
The 2023 Laramie International Flavor Festival features menu items inspired by stories. This year, Laramie community members and international students were prompted to describe how foods and flavors connect them to their international heritage.
Over 20 participating downtown restaurants are featuring unique menu items with flavors inspired by the 45 essays.
The festival website at laramiemainstreet.org/international-flavor-festival reveals these selections: traditional dishes, such as Ukrainian borscht and Australian lamb, and creative fusions as varied as Japanese fruit sandwiches, Malaysian chicken wings, and Czech pizza. The specials will appear on downtown menus throughout the week. The accompanying stories will be displayed on table cards at each venue.
10 events are planned throughout the week, including an international poetry open mic, world karaoke, music, dance, and a late-night “foodie movie”.
On Saturday, April 8, WyoGlobal will host an all-afternoon International Culture Adventure at The Collective. The event will provide an avenue for the University of Wyoming international students to share their culture and talents with the Laramie community. This capstone event will end with a Tales at the Taphouse showcase of participants’ stories.
“What could be more exciting than discovering new foods and, along with them, new cultures and maybe even some new neighbors,” says Dr. Isadora A. Helfgott, VP for UW Global Engagement. “The Laramie International Flavor Festival brings so many opportunities for discovery and for making new connections across cultures and we’re thrilled to partner with the Laramie Main Street Alliance to highlight the rich diversity of our community.”
Restaurant specials, events, locations, and stories are listed at laramiemainstreet.org/international-flavor-festival
ABOUT LARAMIE INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR FESTIVAL
Through collaborations, international flavor, stories and conversations, Laramie International Flavor Festival celebrates diverse international residents and influences. Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) is proud to present the Laramie International Flavor Festival. We proudly partner with University of Wyoming International Students and Scholars to encourage the participation of the international community.
ABOUT LARAMIE MAIN STREET ALLIANCE
Laramie Main Street Alliance strives to preserve historic Downtown Laramie while enhancing its economic and social vitality. Laramie Main Street Alliance is a 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, operating as part of the State of Wyoming’s “Wyoming Main Street” program under the Wyoming Business Council, guided by the principles of the National Main Street Program. More information can be found at laramiemainstreet.org.
Restaurant Pairings
All restaurants serving specials April 4-8th except when noted by “*”
Inspired by: Silba Dowell, UW Student, Physics and Mathematics
Japanese fruit sandwich, Japanese pork cutlet sandwich
Inspired by: Birgit Burke, American Heritage Center Accountant and Celebrated Local Musician
Swedish Sausage inspired by her essay. It will be for sale at Big Hollow Food Co-op.
- Accomplice Mycropub: England
Inspired by: Sandy Barstow, Retired Librarian
Steak and Kidney Pie with Slumber Car Porter
- Alibi Wood Fire: Austria
Inspired by: Manuela Hofer-McIntyre, Climb Wyoming’s Statewide Human Resources Manager
Wiener schnitzel, Goulash and Karntner Kasnudel Bakery: Hausbrot (dark rye bread with Austrian spices, Apple strudel, Sachertorte (dark chocolate cake).
- Altitude Chophouse: Australia
Inspired by: Paul Taylor, Laramie-based Storyteller and Artist
Bacon-wrapped Aussie Lamb loin with red wine sauce & wild mushrooms.
- Anong’s Thai Cuisine: Thailand
Inspired and prepared by: Note Pathompong, Manager and Chef, Anong’s Thai Cuisine
Khao Soi noodle curry: The Uniqueness of Northern Thailand
- Big Dipper Ice Cream: Iran and Italy
Inspired by: Zeinab Akbarishahabi, UW Student UW chemical engineering and Deb Ross, Co-Chair Laramie International Flavor Festival and Retired UW Pastry Chef
Vegan Pistachio and Pistachio Ice Cream (Iran)
Spumoni (Italy)
- Big Hollow Co-op: see 307 Meats
- *Bond’s Brewery and Chacho’s Tacos: Germany
Inspired by: Ingrid Trahan, Laramie Resident and Good Neighbor
ALL WEEK:
Bond’s is serving Hefeweizen beer and Gose beer It originated in Goslar, Germany and is slightly salt/sour.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIALS by Chacho’s at Bonds brewery on the back patio.
Schweinshaxe-Roasted pork knuckle served over roasted jalapeño spaetzle with pickled red onion.
Schweinshaxe is pronounced “Shvine-hawk-se”
- Born in a Barn: Malaysia
Inspired by: Adlynn Qistina Jamaludin, Laramie Journalist
Malaysian Chicken Wings (with turmeric!)
- *Chalk n’ Cheese– Italy and Australia
Inspired by: Deb Ross, Co-Chair Laramie International Flavor Festival and Retired UW Pastry Chef
SPECIAL EVENT FRIDAY APRIL 7 4-6PM, $5 Pairing: Biscotti and Bubbly
Deb’s chocolate anise cookies with Prosecco or non-alcoholic sparkling wine
ALL WEEK:
Australian wines paired with Australian cheese and butter boards
Italian wines paired with Italian cheese and butter boards
*Chacho’s Tacos: see Bond’s Brewery
- Chocolate Cellar: France,Germany,Denmark, Finland, Slovakia and Sweden
Inspired by: Emily Edgar, Associate Director of Creative Services, UW Institutional Marketing
International chocolates, candies, and cookies
- Coal Creek Coffee and Tap House: Ukraine
Inspired by: Christina Kuzmych, General Manager of Wyoming Public Media
Borscht soup- in the beef and beet based Ukrainian tradition, a rich, meat-based broth with beets, carrots, tomato, cabbage and potatoes. It’s right red in color, very savory and has a subtle sourness in the flavor. Will be served with fresh herbs and a dollop of sour cream.
- The Crowbar & Grill: Canada, Czech Republic, Jordan
Inspired by: Ashley Smith and Paden Knull (Canada), Ed Ficenec (Czech Republic), Penelope Shihab (Jordan)
Traditional poutine with thick cut fries, white cheddar curds and chicken gravy
Chicken shawarma pita with za’atar yogurt dressing (Penelope Shihab)
Czech pizza with sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes-Berry jam kolaches for dessert (Ed Ficenac)
- *Devine Eats: Puerto Rico (Special Event Friday, April 7 5:30-7:30) 211 Grand Avenue
Inspired by: Angelica Mecham, Communications Specialist at ACSD
Pernil, Rice, and Beans
Perhaps the best known and most coveted dish from Puerto Rico, pernil is a positively sumptuous preparation for pork. It’s marinated (ideally overnight) in garlic, citrus and herbs, then slow-roasted on high heat to achieve a crisp chicharrón, or skin.
- Front Street Tavern: See Sweet Melissa’s
- Garcia’s: Mexico
Inspired by: Chaz Avila, Vice President, Commercial Banking, ANB
Sopapillas
- The Grounds: Jordan and Philippines
Inspired by: Penelope Shihab, Director, WY Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (WyCEI) &
Andre’ Socorro F. Doria, UW student, communications
Limonana (lime and mint slushy) & Buko Pie Latte (coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and cinnamon)
- The Library Sports Grill and Brewery: Germany
Inspired by: Bob Van De Rostyne from VDR Foreign Auto Body Repair
Keller Kolsch beer-light, Western German-style hybrid lager/ale. 4.9{c5466d9839d9660ad83a95a07074dd6b0a7efe56d69bf04927ce209c5d4dfaeb} A.B.V. And a “German” nacho
- Lovejoys Bar and Grill: Germany
Inspired and prepared by: Rick Shannon, Cook at Lovejoy’s
Jaegerschnitzel served with fries and a Bourbon Radler
Inspired by: Muhammad Sulthon, UW Student in Wildlife Biology & Management
Indonesian Fried Rice
- Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse: Laos
Inspired by: Duangdaophet Keobounphanh (Jina), UW Political Science Major
Thum Mak Hoong, Papaya Salad, Khao Piak Sen Soup (Lao Chicken Noodle Soup), Bison Laab, Impossible Pork Laab. The salad, soup, and Impossible pork laab will all be made vegan. The laab is served with a side of sticky jasmine rice.
- San Luis Mexican Restaurant: Mexico
Inspired by: Anastasia Flores, Client Services through Achieving Greatness, and Community Volunteer
Street Tacos
- Sugar Mouse Cupcake House: England
Inspired by: Nid Collins, Office Manager at Hits 106, Real estate photographer, Film Festival director, & Indie film producer
Sausage Rolls
- Sweet Melissa Cafe and Front Street Tavern-: Korea
Inspired by: Mama Boo, Health Advocate and Vendor of Kimchi at Laramie Farmer’s Market
Starter-Kimchi Pancakes(kimchi from Cheyenne’s own Mama Boo)and the Laramie Farmer’s Market. Entree-Seitan Bulgogi with rice and steamed broccoli.
Side- Cucumber salad.
Dessert-Sweet red bean and chocolate chip cookies.
Drinks-Plum Sangria with plums, pears and lychee. -Lychee Spritz made with Soju
Best Fries In Laramie
Craving for some fries? Here are where you can get some of the best fries in town!