quÉ bacano
The rich gastronomy and culture of Colombia is uncommonly known in Portland. Qué Bacano is on a mission to change that by introducing us all to a deliciously unique culinary experience. Their menu is filled with traditional Colombian plates, such as ajiaco, arroz con pollo, arepas, empanadas, and sancocho, treats one would find in towns and cities across Colombia. their home country is truly as diverse in landscape as it is in cuisine -- from the Caribbean sea to the pacific ocean -- the amazon jungle to the foothills of the northern Andes mountain range, ¡Que Bacano!
meet the owners
Wife and husband, Karen Castaneda and Andres Felipe Perez, have been part of the development of the Mercado since 2013. Originally a dentist in Colombia, Chef Andres learned culinary skills from his grandmother and from studying in Italy, and Karen graduated from medical school. The two left Colombia to pursue life in Portland as they heard it was a nice place to raise a family. In order to prepare for their first business, a food cart, they have been working in restaurants, including Pambiche and la Carreta, and selling food at various farmer's markets in the city. They are excited to bring their regional flavors of Colombia to the Portland Mercado.
about
country of origin →cali, colombia
living in portland for → 3 years
significance of name → "quÉ bacano" is colombian slang used to describe something as cool, hip, or radical
likes about Portland → the culture, all the nature
interests →music, specifically salsa and meeting with other colombians/latinos to dance
goals for business →building a relationship with the community is MOST IMPORTANT TO ANDRES AND KAREN. tHEY PLAN TO INTRODUCE COLOMBIAN HISTORY AND culture TO THE COMMUNITY BY SHARING THEIR AUTHENTIC COLOMBIAN RECIPES AND FOOD. in the future, they would like to open THEIR OWN restaurant.
“Portland Mercado es la oportunidad que nos otros tenemos de crecer. Nos hemos dado conocer poco a poco pero falta mucho camino adelante. Portland Mercado nos está facilitando ese camino, nos está dando conocer, no solamente como negocio, sino como cultura.”
sobre
PAÍS DE ORIGEN → CALI, COLOMBIA
VIVIENDO EN PORTLAND→3 AÑOS
SIGNIFICADO DEL NOMBRE → "QUÉ BACANO" ES UNA FRASE Coloquial en COLOMBIA QUE SE USA PARA DESCRIBIR ALGO bueno, GENIAL o positivo.
QUE LE GUSTA DE PORTLAND →LA CULTURA, TODA LA NATURALEZA
INTERESES →LA MUSICA, ESPECIFICAMENTE LA SALSA, Y REUNIRse CON OTROS COLOMBIANOS/LATINOS PARA BAILAR
METAS PARA SU NEGOCIO → LA CONSTRUCCIÓN DE UNA RELACIÓN CON LA COMUNIDAD ES LO MÁS IMPORTANTE. QUIEREN INTRODUCIR AL PÚBLICO Con SU CULTURA Por MEDIO DE SU COMIDA, Y COMPARTIR HISTORIAS y recetas de colombia CON LA COMUNIDAD. EN EL FUTURO, LES GUSTARIAN ABRIR UN RESTAURANTE.
contact
PHONE → 971-300-1248
email → qbacano@gmail.com
FACEBOOK PAGE
website
As always, keep up to date with Qué Bacano, Sabor Colombiano and all other Portland Mercado businesses: