Rhode Island has the third-largest Portuguese population in the nation. Many Portuguese people, my grandfather included, came to America in search of a better life; some, to escape volcanic explosions. Because, like, fuck that. Lucky for America, they brought their delicious recipes and exotic flavors with them.
Typically meals in Portugal and other European countries are familial events, meant to be shared at home, requiring respite from work. But Portu-Galo, a PVD-based Portuguese food truck, brings authentic Portuguese flavors to on-the-go Americans.
Portu-Galo specializes in sandwiches, specifically the sexy-sounding bifana. The bifana is a traditional Portuguese sandwich made of thinly sliced, marinated pork cutlets served in a papo seco (Portuguese bread) roll. They serve theirs smothered with caramelized onions and oozing with an intensely flavorful, not-too-spicy garlic aioli. The amount of flavor packed into one bite of this sandwich would cause Guy Fieri to malfunction; inducing involuntary outbursts of, “Bomb dot com!” and “Welcome to Flavor Town, baby!”
A sandwich joint is only as good as its fries, and Portu-Galo ain’t no exception. Good thing they serve up some seriously delicious fried-potato creations. The batatas bravas, for me, were the main event. They’re crispy french fries, artfully drizzled with paprika aioli and a spicy bravas sauce, topped with sliced, pickled cherry peppers. If I were to be executed tomorrow, I would want this as my last meal.
Thirsty? Don’t forget to grab an ice-cold Sumol! Make the meal a Portuguese trifecta with Portugal’s iconic soda. Bom apetite!
Check their Facebook to find out where they’ll be and for their full menu! facebook.com/portuguesetruck