Laramie Main Street Alliance invites you to “travel the world without leaving our state” at the 2023 Laramie International Flavor Festival on April 4-8th.

The 2023 Laramie International Flavor Festival features menu items inspired by stories. This year, Laramie community members and international students were prompted to describe how foods and flavors connect them to their international heritage. 

Over 20 participating downtown restaurants are featuring unique menu items with flavors inspired by the 45 essays.

The festival website at laramiemainstreet.org/international-flavor-festival reveals these selections: traditional dishes, such as Ukrainian borscht and Australian lamb, and creative fusions as varied as Japanese fruit sandwiches, Malaysian chicken wings, and Czech pizza. The specials will appear on downtown menus throughout the week. The accompanying stories will be displayed on table cards at each venue. 

10 events are planned throughout the week, including an international poetry open mic, world karaoke, music, dance, and a late-night “foodie movie”.

On Saturday, April 8, WyoGlobal will host an all-afternoon International Culture Adventure at The Collective. The event will provide an avenue for the University of Wyoming international students to share their culture and talents with the Laramie community. This capstone event will end with a Tales at the Taphouse showcase of participants’ stories.

“What could be more exciting than discovering new foods and, along with them, new cultures and maybe even some new neighbors,” says Dr. Isadora A. Helfgott, VP for UW Global Engagement. “The Laramie International Flavor Festival brings so many opportunities for discovery and for making new connections across cultures and we’re thrilled to partner with the Laramie Main Street Alliance to highlight the rich diversity of our community.”

Restaurant specials, events, locations, and stories are listed at laramiemainstreet.org/international-flavor-festival

ABOUT LARAMIE INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR FESTIVAL

Through collaborations, international flavor, stories and conversations, Laramie International Flavor Festival celebrates diverse international residents and influences. Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) is proud to present the Laramie International Flavor Festival. We proudly partner with University of Wyoming International Students and Scholars to encourage the participation of the international community.

ABOUT LARAMIE MAIN STREET ALLIANCE

Laramie Main Street Alliance strives to preserve historic Downtown Laramie while enhancing its economic and social vitality. Laramie Main Street Alliance is a 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, operating as part of the State of Wyoming's “Wyoming Main Street” program under the Wyoming Business Council, guided by the principles of the National Main Street Program. More information can be found at laramiemainstreet.org

Restaurant Pairings

All restaurants serving specials April 4-8th except when noted by “*” 

  • 2nd Street Deli: Japan 

Inspired by: Silba Dowell, UW Student, Physics and Mathematics 

Japanese fruit sandwich, Japanese pork cutlet sandwich 

  • 307 Meats: Sweden 

Inspired by: Birgit Burke, American Heritage Center Accountant and Celebrated Local Musician  

Swedish Sausage inspired by her essay. It will be for sale at Big Hollow Food Co-op. 

  • Accomplice Mycropub: England 

Inspired by: Sandy Barstow, Retired Librarian  

Steak and Kidney Pie with Slumber Car Porter 

  • Alibi Wood Fire: Austria 

Inspired by:  Manuela Hofer-McIntyre, Climb Wyoming’s Statewide Human Resources Manager 

Wiener schnitzel, Goulash and Karntner Kasnudel Bakery: Hausbrot (dark rye bread with Austrian spices, Apple strudel, Sachertorte (dark chocolate cake). 

  • Altitude Chophouse: Australia 

Inspired by: Paul Taylor, Laramie-based Storyteller and Artist 

Bacon-wrapped Aussie Lamb loin with red wine sauce & wild mushrooms. 

  •  Anong’s Thai Cuisine: Thailand 

Inspired and prepared by: Note Pathompong, Manager and Chef, Anong’s Thai Cuisine 

Khao Soi noodle curry: The Uniqueness of Northern Thailand 

  •  Big Dipper Ice Cream: Iran and Italy 

Inspired by: Zeinab Akbarishahabi, UW Student UW chemical engineering and Deb Ross, Co-Chair Laramie International Flavor Festival and Retired UW Pastry Chef 

Vegan Pistachio and Pistachio Ice Cream (Iran) 

Spumoni (Italy)  

  • Big Hollow Co-op: see 307 Meats 
  • *Bond’s Brewery and Chacho’s Tacos: Germany 

Inspired by: Ingrid Trahan, Laramie Resident and Good Neighbor 

ALL WEEK: 

Bond's is serving Hefeweizen beer and Gose beer It originated in Goslar, Germany and is slightly salt/sour.  

TUESDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIALS by Chacho’s at Bonds brewery on the back patio. 

Schweinshaxe-Roasted pork knuckle served over roasted jalapeño spaetzle with pickled red onion.  

Schweinshaxe is pronounced "Shvine-hawk-se" 

  • Born in a Barn: Malaysia  

Inspired by: Adlynn Qistina Jamaludin, Laramie Journalist 

Malaysian Chicken Wings (with turmeric!) 

  • *Chalk n’ Cheese- Italy and Australia 

Inspired by: Deb Ross, Co-Chair Laramie International Flavor Festival and Retired UW Pastry Chef 

SPECIAL EVENT FRIDAY APRIL 7 4-6PM, $5 Pairing: Biscotti and Bubbly 

Deb's chocolate anise cookies with Prosecco or non-alcoholic sparkling wine 

ALL WEEK: 

Australian wines paired with Australian cheese and butter boards 

Italian wines paired with Italian cheese and butter boards  

 *Chacho’s Tacos: see Bond’s Brewery 

  •  Chocolate Cellar: France,Germany,Denmark, Finland, Slovakia and Sweden 

Inspired by: Emily Edgar, Associate Director of Creative Services, UW Institutional Marketing 

International chocolates, candies, and cookies 

  • Coal Creek Coffee and Tap House: Ukraine 

Inspired by: Christina Kuzmych, General Manager of Wyoming Public Media  

Borscht soup- in the beef and beet based Ukrainian tradition, a rich, meat-based broth with beets, carrots, tomato, cabbage and potatoes. It's right red in color, very savory and has a subtle sourness in the flavor. Will be served with fresh herbs and a dollop of sour cream. 

  • The Crowbar & Grill: Canada, Czech Republic, Jordan  

Inspired by: Ashley Smith and Paden Knull (Canada), Ed Ficenec (Czech Republic), Penelope Shihab (Jordan) 

Traditional poutine with thick cut fries, white cheddar curds and chicken gravy  

Chicken shawarma pita with za'atar yogurt dressing (Penelope Shihab) 

Czech pizza with sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes-Berry jam kolaches for dessert (Ed Ficenac) 

  • *Devine Eats: Puerto Rico (Special Event Friday, April 7 5:30-7:30) 211 Grand Avenue 

Inspired by: Angelica Mecham, Communications Specialist at ACSD 

Pernil, Rice, and Beans 

Perhaps the best known and most coveted dish from Puerto Rico, pernil is a positively sumptuous preparation for pork. It’s marinated (ideally overnight) in garlic, citrus and herbs, then slow-roasted on high heat to achieve a crisp chicharrón, or skin. 

  • Front Street Tavern: See Sweet Melissa’s 
  • Garcia’s: Mexico  

Inspired by: Chaz Avila, Vice President, Commercial Banking, ANB 

Sopapillas  

  • The Grounds: Jordan and Philippines  

Inspired by: Penelope Shihab, Director, WY Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (WyCEI) &  

Andre' Socorro F. Doria, UW student, communications 

Limonana (lime and mint slushy) & Buko Pie Latte (coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and cinnamon) 

  • The Library Sports Grill and Brewery: Germany 

Inspired by: Bob Van De Rostyne from VDR Foreign Auto Body Repair 

Keller Kolsch beer-light, Western German-style hybrid lager/ale. 4.9% A.B.V. And a "German" nacho 

  • Lovejoys Bar and Grill: Germany  

Inspired and prepared by: Rick Shannon, Cook at Lovejoy’s 

Jaegerschnitzel served with fries and a Bourbon Radler 

  • Mizu Sushi: Indonesia 

Inspired by: Muhammad Sulthon, UW Student in Wildlife Biology & Management 

Indonesian Fried Rice 

  • Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse: Laos 

Inspired by: Duangdaophet Keobounphanh (Jina), UW Political Science Major 

Thum Mak Hoong, Papaya Salad, Khao Piak Sen Soup (Lao Chicken Noodle Soup), Bison Laab, Impossible Pork Laab. The salad, soup, and Impossible pork laab will all be made vegan. The laab is served with a side of sticky jasmine rice. 

  • San Luis Mexican Restaurant: Mexico 

Inspired by: Anastasia Flores, Client Services through Achieving Greatness, and Community Volunteer 

Street Tacos 

  • Sugar Mouse Cupcake House: England 

Inspired by: Nid Collins, Office Manager at Hits 106, Real estate photographer, Film Festival director, & Indie film producer 

Sausage Rolls 

  • Sweet Melissa Cafe and Front Street Tavern-: Korea 

Inspired by: Mama Boo, Health Advocate and Vendor of Kimchi at Laramie Farmer’s Market 

Starter-Kimchi Pancakes(kimchi from Cheyenne's own Mama Boo)and the Laramie Farmer's Market.  Entree-Seitan Bulgogi with rice and steamed broccoli. 

Side- Cucumber salad. 

Dessert-Sweet red bean and chocolate chip cookies. 

Drinks-Plum Sangria with plums, pears and lychee.  -Lychee Spritz made with Soju 

 

Best Fries In Laramie

Craving for some fries? Here are where you can get some of the best fries in town!