first look: Pesco food truck opens in hood river

Late this winter, a new food truck opened in the parking lot of Windance Board Shop. The name is PESCO and it's run by Elizabeth Pesco. 

​The theme? Handmade Italian food. We're talking the kind that's made by a chef that lived in Italy for several years. And don't get us started on the fried rice balls that take the owner two and a half hours to make each morning. They're carefully packed with slow-simmered meat sauce, veggies, and cheese. ​

About the chef

You may know Elizabeth from her work as a chef at several restaurants around town. Before opening PESCO, Elizabeth learned her skills in some of the most well-known kitchens in town. Elizabeth is a talented chef with a passion for food. She works tirelessly and patiently to perfect each recipe she makes and puts a ridiculous amount of effort into everything she does. With her experience as a chef and her knowledge of Italy, she has brought a new take on Italian to Hood River, providing something completely different than what we currently have. Think:  seasonal, light, packed full of flavor,  fresh, local, and handmade -- just like you would find it in Italy. 

About the menu

Elizabeth rotates her menu each month. This month, she's focusing on Sicily with items like Spaghetti con Pesto di Pistachhio (fresh spaghetti with a pistachio pesto) and panelle (Sicilian chickpea fritter served with lemon aioli). In the past, she took us to Florence (fresh pappardelle with tomato sauce; spinach and ricotta dumplings; Tuscan soup; and more) and Rome. 

Moving forward, she'll continue to change the menu each month, reflecting the seasonality of our local ingredients here in the Gorge. Check for a new menu each month on her website and Instagram page. 

The details

Address: 108 HWY 35, HOOD RIVER, OR 97031
Hours: 11:30-sold out (typically some time between 6 and 9 p.m.). Instagram is a great way to track when she's sold out for the day, so if you're worried, pop over instagram.com/pescohr
Kid-friendly menu? Yes!
Payment options accepted: Cash, card, apple pay
Website and current menu: www.pescohr.com
Drinks: Yes!