Oftentimes, when a local food truck finds success, the owner opts to open a brick-and-mortar location as well. This is the case for The Blended Bistro and Owner Maddy Camacho. Her popular blend of Cuban American food and Italian classics is now being served at her restaurant in Cliffside Park.
Despite running a successful food truck, Maddy says she always wanted something more. “I wanted to have my own kitchen where I could make my own creations at any given time,” she says.
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Finding a Place to Park
Maddy was able to open The Blended Bistro in Cliffside Park after running the food truck for under a year. “I’m grateful I have the opportunity to offer a cozy space where people can come and feel right at home.”
The restaurant’s location is close to where Maddy grew up, as a native of the Fairview/Cliffside Park area. There’s space for 12 guests to eat inside, but The Blended Bistro will have outdoor seating for the summer. “It’s warm, cozy, bright, and relaxed inside,” Maddy says. “It’s a blend of Cuban accents and how The Blended Bistro came about with cookbooks on display.”
Maddy’s education comes from a baking and pastry arts school in New York City. She has worked in different types of kitchens ranging from bakeries and cafes to bars and restaurants.
Homestyle Cooking
Maddy describes her menu as “ like you came to grandma’s house with a twist.” Popular menu items include the Cuban Ham Croqueta, which is a blend of ham, pepper, and onions. “It’s an homage to the classic ham sandwich with a spicy kick,” Maddy explains. They also have a Buffalo Chicken Croqueta, Loaded Potato croqueta, and a Hotlanta Croqueta. In addition, they serve empanadas with fillings like shrimp in garlic, beef, Buffalo chicken, and Nutella and mascarpone. Other Cuban dishes include picadillo, pernil, and ropa vieja.
Meanwhile, Italian menu options include sausages and peppers and penne vodka. The Italian side of the menu takes inspiration from Maddy’s mother’s love of Italian cuisine.
Of course, The Blended Bistro food truck is still operational. The truck is often at events and festivals, but is also available for private parties, corporate events, and event catering.
Visit The Blended Bistro at 442 Anderson Ave in Cliffside Park. Look for them online to learn more.
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All Photos: © Maddy Camacho / The Blended Bistro