East Idaho Eats: Arugula Deli

VO: IDAHO FALLS – A local restaurant is infusing international flavors into its from-scratch salads and sandwiches.

SOT: “Easily one of the most fantastic sandwiches I’ve ever had. It was delicious,” customer Jason Stone said.

VO; Arugula Deli on Ridge Avenue is in a somewhat hidden location. But, customers still manage to find the popular spot and fill every seat during the lunch rush.

SOT: “We were surprised at how many people were here. It’s a happening little place,” Customer Sue Forman said.

VO: Mindy Gutierrez and her husband Marcel Bolivian native, say inspiration for their restaurant came from meals they shared at home.

SOT: “People would come over and eat with us and love the food and always encouraged him to open a restaurant,” Mindy said.

VO: Marcel has been cooking since he was a child in Bolivia. He said he made his first pot of rice at age seven. He grew up shadowing his mother, and cooking with whatever his family had in their garden.

SOT: “Back then everything was from the garden to the table, from the farm to the table. We didn’t have any processed food… and that’s what he do here too,” Marcel said.

VO: He said his recipes in the restaurant stem from Bolivia and its sister countries.

SOT: “The type of food that we offer here is international food. I’m from Bolivia, and Bolivia is surrounded with a lot of Latin American Countries. All those countries have some how influenced the type of food that I offer,” Marcel said

VO: Mindy and Marcel both have said the Tuscan chicken sandwich, and the California quinoa salad are two of the hottest items on the menu.

VO: The Tuscan chicken is savory with a blend of fresh vegetables, and a house pesto sauce piled into ciabatta bread. The California quinoa salad is blended with fruits, vegetables, almonds, and a homemade pina colada dressing.

STAND UP: Marcel why don’t you tell me what you’ve made today? Great I’m excited to give it a try. The Tuscan salad is very good, and very fresh. I really love the house pesto sauce.

VO: All of the recipes at Arugula are made with ingredients provided by local famers.

VO: Soon the couple hopes to use their own produce from their developing farm and green houses.

SOT: “We’re going to produce everything over there to put in the restaurant,” Marcel said.

VO: In Idaho Falls, I’m Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com