Savor the flavors of Ecuador right here at home
When people think of Chattanooga, they may think of an outdoorsy town or a place with family activities galore—but what they should think about is the food. We have restaurants creating tastes from all over the world, but one that stands alone is Fresh Pot Café, Chattanooga’s only Ecuadorian restaurant.
As it would be at home in Ecuador, this restaurant is run by the family, a tradition that has been in Blanca Mullo’s family for years. “My grandmother ran a restaurant for 43 years back home [in Ecuador]” says Blanca. It’s a passion that has lived on in Blanca, who runs Fresh Pot with the help of her daughter, Gabby Cemel.
With a deep-rooted desire to produce authentic Ecuadorian dishes, Fresh Pot focuses on the quality and freshness of their products. For Blanca and Gabby, it’s a sensory experience choosing their vegetables, fruits, and more. “We want to touch it, see it, smell it, to know that it’s a quality product for our customers,” says Gabby. “That’s what most important to us.” That means no preservatives, no dyes, and dishes are made-to-order rather than waiting around under a heat lamp all afternoon.
Pick from either the Ecuadorian or American menu, which features salads, wraps, and sandwiches. Unlike restaurants churning out the same dish every day, Blanca is constantly trying new ingredients to kick up the flavor, and keep the home-cooked authenticity that’s bringing customers back.
Picture an aproned scientist, adding a little of this and a little of that to make the perfect creation. They’ve done just that, bringing to life their most popular dish on the Ecuadorian menu, the fried pork. You’ll probably need a box for leftovers, because this plate is piled high with fried pork, giant white corn, potato cakes, and more. Be sure to bring your appetite, because there is plenty of food to go around.