It’s only the halfway mark at the Festival of Nations at Tower Grove Park (today’s hours are 10 to 6), and despite the myriad eggrolls, kabobs, empanadas, sambusas, and pupusas, if an award ceremony was held right now, it would go something like this:
Best named food: Tie between Haggis Pup (a Scottish sausage served in a hot dog bun); and Mince and Tatties (minced beef served over mashed potatoes), both from Oz Highland Farm, an organic Scottish Highland Cattle farm near Topeka, Kansas. Go with the pup.
Fun to Watch/Fun to Drink: The Fresh Coconut Juice at the Thai booth: a chilled coconut gets three whacks from a cleaver, a straw and a cocktail umbrella –and voila, you’re off to the next booth.
Longest line: For gyros at the Greek booth (Nice touch: half orders of gyros were available as well.)
Shortest line: At the American booth. (Now that made me smile.)
Best Item: Causa Rellena, a native Peruvian dish made with mashed yellow potatoes, and a layer of either chicken, tuna, or vegetables--all receiving some pop from the indigenous aji amarillo pepper. Note: This booth is unnamed and at the east end, near the Grand Ave gate.
Runner up: Babo’s Chicken, at one of the two Bosnian booths: seasoned chicken, bell peppers, and onions, stuffed into an elongated Bosnian pastry roll. The perfect, double-handed street food.
Best surprise: Bottled water is only $1..and it’s cold, too.
