Chef Blaine Beggao loves sharing traditions through food. At his restaurant, ADOBO Denver, he whips up dishes that remind him of his family. “My grandma made lots of chicken adobo for seven kids,” he shares. “I want to recreate that love in my cooking.”
His Grandma’s Adobo Chicken Rice Bowl is a hit. Although ADOBO Denver opened in 2022, Beggao has been serving Filipino and New Mexican flavors from his food truck since 2017. “We travel around Denver, catering weddings and events with green chili, lumpia, and tacos,” he explains.
Operating a food truck in Colorado can be challenging due to strict licensing rules. “If you want to move from Arvada to Denver or Boulder, you need different licenses — costing over $1,000 and multiple inspections,” he notes.
Recently, Colorado passed House Bill 25-1295 to ease these restrictions. This law allows food trucks with licenses in one area to operate in others, provided they follow some basic health standards and notify local governments two weeks in advance.
“This cuts costs significantly for many food truck owners,” Beggao adds. “It’s a nearly 33% reduction for those juggling multiple licenses.”
Kristen Ayala, who opened Mama’s Empanadas a year and a half ago, understands this struggle. After not finding Puerto Rican-style empanadas in Denver, she and her husband decided to start their food truck. “We converted an old coffee cart and finally completed our licensing process after three months,” she shares.
However, like Beggao, she faced hurdles working outside Denver County due to differing permits. “Many Puerto Ricans live in Southern Colorado,” she highlights, pointing out how the old rules limited their reach.
Thanks to the new law, Ayala and Beggao can share their unique cuisines more widely, bringing a taste of their heritage to many more Coloradans. “Food connects people,” Ayala states simply.
The food truck scene in Colorado is vital, with an estimated 1,200 food trucks operating statewide. This change could help boost local economies, make cultural cuisine more accessible, and foster a sense of community among diverse groups.
Together, these food truck operators illustrate that sharing food is about more than just meals—it’s about culture, connection, and community.
Source link
adobo denver,colorado food,denver food,food truck bill colorado,food trucks denver,mama's empanadas
