About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every memory
The first memories of my childhood are when my uncles came down from the Andean Mountains to the Ecuadorian coast where I lived. The guitars were singing boleros and pasillos, the men drank hot cane rum and tuned notes, while my mother and aunts tuned their knives in the kitchen.
The first aroma that emerged was garlic, onion, lemon, coriander, then the crunch of boiling oil doing its magic. I could guess from my room what was being prepared: "Fried fish with spices, onion salad and the unmistakable aroma of rice."
Everyone anxiously awaited the feast, the smells, the music, the family, the food and then the next day the dawn, waking up with the aroma of freshly ground coffee, freshly baked bread, a visit to the beach where it continues to accumulate in my memory and my palate all the exquisite culture of my country, Ecuador at the middle of the world.
These cherished memories traveled with me from Ecuador to the United States, where I met my husband, a South Dakota native and Electrical Engineer. While building my career as a Business Intelligence Eng., I found myself recreating the dishes of my homeland in our kitchen, introducing my husband to the rich flavors of my country.
What began as nostalgic cooking soon became a passion we both shared. My husband fell in love not only with me but with Ecuadorian cuisine, often suggesting we should share these incredible flavors with others. The idea for Patas Azules was born during one of these meals, as we realized we could bridge two cultures through food.
Named after the iconic Blue-footed Boobies of the Galápagos Islands, Patas Azules ("Blue Feet" in Spanish) represents our unique blend of Ecuadorian heritage and American spirit. Our food truck launched in 2022 as a way to bring authentic Ecuadorian flavors to Rapid City, SD., prepared with traditional techniques but adapted to local ingredients when necessary.
Today, we proudly serve dishes that tell the story of Ecuador's diverse regions—from coastal ceviches to highland stews—creating a culinary journey that honors tradition while embracing innovation. Each recipe carries the essence of those family gatherings from my childhood, now shared with a new family of customers who have become friends along the way.
Our Sustainable Approach
What makes Patas Azules truly unique isn't just our food—it's how we serve it. Thanks to my husband's expertise as an electrical engineer, our food truck operates without the typical noisy generators found at most mobile food operations. Instead, we've designed a cutting-edge system using high-capacity batteries and solar panels to power all our electrical needs.
This eco-friendly approach means you can enjoy your meal in a peaceful environment, without the constant hum of a generator in the background. It also means we leave a smaller carbon footprint wherever we go, honoring the natural beauty of Ecuador that inspired our culinary journey.
Our sustainable food truck is a perfect representation of who we are: a blend of Ecuadorian culinary tradition and American technical innovation.
Technology, love, and passion for food—all working together to create something special.
