Adobe Food Truck: A Delicious Destination

By Martina

Oh boy, you just never know what Baja California is going to surprise you with next. The growth of the gourmet culture in the Guadalupe Valley wine country has been an explosion of unique culinary delights. But there is one very special destination that all Baja travelers must experience. The Adobe Food Truck created by Leda and Peta has become an icon as a destination for experiencing the warm hospitality reminiscent of the earlier wine country ambience. The food truck is situated inside the ranch and winery of Adobe Guadalupe in El Porvenir. It shares the patio with Adobe’s wine tasting bar and gift shop with an old mission façade. Here in one-stop you will find everything to satisfy a delightful afternoon with friends.

Leda’s greeting is warm and sincere. Peta unfortunately was called away. Leda is dressed casually and I immediately feel comfortable. We take a seat at one of the picnic tables under the trees. Soft bossa nova plays in the background. The music is almost secondary to the happy birds chirping their nature songs. Nearby are carefully trimmed rosemary bushes that protect the nesting sparrows. There is serendipitous story about how these two women found their way to Baja. Leda was from an area near Cancun, a magical place called Bacalar and Peta was originally from Guadalajara. They were entrepreneurs before coming to Baja. They established the first wine bar in Cancun which was very successful and opened a fine dining with music every evening. Even so Leda was yearning to go back to her roots in beautiful Bacalar. They sold everything to make the move and venture into another restaurant and hotel built on the Bacalar’s shimmering lagoon. But oddly nothing was working for them and money became an issue. Off they went into the mystery of an unknown calling, thinking it was only a five-year journey into the future.

One of their stops was in Baja to visit their many friends who knew them from the Cancun wine bar. At the time Guadalupe wine country was a quiet haven as it wasn’t yet known as a destination. Their original idea was to have an upscale wine bar, food and music as they did in Cancun. However, they found that the Guadalupe Valley wasn’t ready for this. San Antonio de Las Minas was still a sleepy little town with a dusty two-lane road running through it, and the little pueblo of El Porvenir most travelers had never heard of. Leda and Peta were good friends with Donald and Tru Miller, the owners of Adobe Guadalupe winery. They checked in with them for helpful ideas. Their search went on for three months trying to find a secured location. Leda reminisced, “We were tired of the search and we began to think of buying a piece of land for a food truck.” Tru hearing about this idea suggested they try a casual presence for them to try. You might say it was a unique pairing. Eight months later Tru mentioned, “You don’t have a contract, do you?” and Leda thoughtfully said, “No.” Tru countered, “Well, how many years would you like to stay here?” As a joke Leda suggested 10 years, laughing she said, “It has already expired.”

During this time Tru was building the tasting room on the same patio area. They had a grand opening for both. Leda looks around the beautiful area and softly shared, “It feels like home.” I added, “Your whole dream shifted and changed.” She smiled, “Yes, now we own a home here. The quality of life is above anywhere I’ve ever been. I am amazed by the high quality of products to choose from. And unlike in Cancun, if you are not ready to work 10 hours a day, you are not made for that life style. Of course you have lots of fun, but the demands on your time are extreme. We never planned on moving here, but the life is so pleasant and natural.” New guests arrived and Leda scurried off to meet them.

When she returned, she explained, “We are actually using some of our original recipes from our Cancun restaurant. Of course we have created new recipes just for the Adobe Guadalupe wines.” Peta is the creative chef in the food adventures. Both Leda and Peta’s philosophy was to make sure that there was an anchor to Baja’s unique products. Surveying the menu board, it is going to be very hard to select just one thing. Each has a very unique combinations, and reading the selections almost makes the mouth water.

Get started with the tapas; Patatas Bravas with garlic, paprika and olive oil or Champiñones al Ajillo, mushrooms, garlic and olive oil. Or maybe a casserole of polish sausage, shrimp and potatoes. Sausage al Brandy is combination of homemade polish sausage with roasted onion and sweet peppers. Sandwiches are yummy like the full-on veggie filled treat. Sausage al Pesto, is my favorite and a Garlic Shrimp sandwich are others to ponder over. Of course, add a glass of Adobe wine, agua fresca or Kombucha. Beer lovers can try a cold one brewed right here. Both vegetarian and vegans are catered to.

Leda jumps up to fetch my sandwich, the Polish Sausage Al Pesto of course and a perfectly chilled Sauvignon Blanc. She leaves to visits new arrivals. Overhead the tiny birds flit through the trees, the sunlight touches the bell tower, and the mystical flying horses gallop through the trees. I took my first sip of wine, delighted with the crisp green apple tartness and nice lingering finish. Chardonnay lovers will appreciate this as well. My first bite into the warm freshly baked roll and mild sausage was as I remembered; delicious. And the light touch of vinaigrette dressing on the fresh side salad is a perfect combination.

When Leda returned, we talked about creating the recipes. They asked Tru if she would trust them when creating the menus. “We wanted to adjust our recipes to pair with the wine. The wine is the true center of the dining experience. Many of the new chefs in the valley want their food to be brilliant and received well by the visitors. But we want the wine to show off. All the recipes are designed around the wines. “We work a lot on the pairing. Smiling she said, “The menu is only an excuse to keep drinking wine. What makes the valley important is the wine and it our job to make sure this happens.”

Leda stressed, “The ingredients we use are all local. The olive oil is made right here on the ranch. It is fresh, and natural and is important for our recipes. Our vegetables come from the local growers. The homemade Polish sausage is the best with no chemicals added. Strawberries from the fields go into the agua fresca. Everything is so fresh; what can go wrong?” Upon request they serve gluten free bread and also chips, but these are commercial products and are certified flour free. “We are really blessed to be here within the well-known and respected Adobe Guadalupe.” Leda finished by saying that they were carrying on Tru’s philosophy of slowing down to enjoy life. Slow food, lingering with good wine, and long slow afternoons with good friends. “I would say we found a little place in the world for just for us.”

Visit Adobe Food Truck's Facebook page and Instagram.

Open Thursday to Monday, 11:30 to 5:30
No fast-food ordering
Closed October and February for vacation.