Local Flavor: Cast iron chicken

This Local Flavor column arrives a day late, but some things in life are worth waiting for, like the chicken from New England Iron Pollo.

New England Iron Pollo is a startup food business by Alberto Alcantara, who worked in the restaurant and food industry in Queens, New York. He and his girlfriend, Mila Mirzakandova moved to Maine so Mirzakandova could attend medical school.

Alcantara, who has plans for opening a food truck later this year, held a popup food stand at Winterfest in downtown Biddeford this afternoon. A long line of hungry people waited to get a free chicken dinner before the food ran out. The menu included chicken, plantains, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and lemon vanilla sweet tea.

Pollo, which is Spanish for chicken, is the featured item, and Alcantara broils it in cast iron. The chicken had a nice char and was juicy and flavorful. The mashed potatoes were pleasantly seasoned and the plantains were cooked until golden brown and tender.

Alcantara said that New England was once a major producer of poultry products, and he wants to bring this tradition back, “with a little bit of Latin flavor.” He said he’d like to see Maine recognized not for just its great seafood, but also for its great chicken.

Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.