EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Food enthusiasts had the opportunity to enjoy delicious local flavors, live music and fun activities at the first-ever El Foodie Market on Friday evening, July 26.
Photos by Luisa Barrios – KTSM
The event, which was presented by Southwest University, featured diverse local food trucks and market vendors, culinary educational activities, live music, a food court area, a car show and more.
KTSM spoke with local food trucks owners and market vendors who shared their business experience.
Plant Fire Pizza
Photos by Luisa Barrios – KTSM
O.J. Hernandez is the owner of a pop-up all-vegan pizza business that started back in 2021. Although its specialty is plant-based pizza, Hernandez said they can do “pretty much any pizza.”
Hernandez said he’s been doing this business in El Paso at markets, festivals, concerts, events and more. He also travels to Phoenix for an all-vegan event that’s “one of the biggest festivals in the US” and Tucson, Arizona for another similar event.
“The pizzas are made with your ‘typical dough.’ We don’t have gluten-free yet, but we have a lot of requests for that. Originally, we started all plant-based with dairy-free cheese and plant-based meats. Pepperoni, sausage, chicken, all plant-based,” Hernandez said. “Eventually, I diversified here in El Paso because plant-based, it’s not as accepted here as it is in other bigger cities.”
Mee Moon’s Pet Treats
Photos by Luisa Barrios – KTSM
Natalie Oregon is a Californian selling natural ingredient pet treats. Her journey started when she moved back to the U.S. from Germany with her husband in September 2023.
Oregon said she realized it was easier to find better alternatives for single ingredient pet treats or treats that didn’t have many additives in Germany, so feeding her dog was not a problem.
“When we moved back to the U.S. last year, it was really hard to find natural ingredients treats that didn’t have many chemicals fillers and everything. And even the ones at the pet store, they have so many oils and I said, ‘Might as well start my own business.'”
Papasitas Loaded Fries
Photos by Luisa Barrios – KTSM
Alfredo Frescas, from Juarez, started his business back in 2021, after being inspired during a trip where he got introduced to loaded fries.
Their specialty is french fries with “carne asada,” “pastor” and chicken. Topics include guacamole, sour cream, onion, and more.
“We go to markets, the city’s Downtown Market and the Upper Valley one in West El Paso. We also do events around the city,” Frescas said.
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