By STAFF | Star Tribune
The former Cafe Caribe space didn’t stay dark for long. Erica Strait, the force behind Foxy Falafel (www.foxyfalafel.com), is expanding her popular farmers market stand and food truck operation into a bricks-and-mortar business in the small storefront at 791 Raymond St. in St. Paul.
“It’s the natural progression of the business,” said Strait. “I’m excited about the opportunity to be able to sell to my customers year-round. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
The counter-service operation will feature the staples that Strait has been perfecting over the years, including beet and curry falafels. She’s also adding items such as turkey shawarma, merguez sausage, chicken gyro meatballs (“We’ve expanded into the meat market,” she said with a laugh) and house-made sodas and kombucha. Beer and wine, too.
The restaurant is going to start with lunch. When the food truck and farmers market season ends, Strait plans to introduce dinner and weekend brunch.
Right now the plan is to open later this month or in early August. In the meantime, diners can get a preview every Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., when Strait parks her food truck in front of the restaurant for what she calls “Foxy Falafel Friday.”
