Profile: Ragusa's Food Truck
Experience the tastes of Sicily, right here in KC.
What Laurie Vitale thought would be a few nights' stay as a couch surfer, turned into the Sicilian trip of a lifetime. So much so, she decided to bring a part of Sicily back to Kansas City with her in the form of a cross-cultural culinary experience like none other.
With Italian-Sicilian heritage going back three generations, Laurie has made it her mission to bring authentic tastes of Italy to the Kansas City community. Because she is dedicated to using only the most authentic ingredients and flavors, each year Laurie travels to Europe, honing the food truck’s recipes to perfection. It was there where Laurie spent many days learning family recipes for italian cookies, cannolis, tiramisu, european coffee, and of course Sicilan style crepes. I was lucky enough to visit the Ragusa’s food truck when Italian couch surfing host, Mattia was in town for his first time visiting the food truck since their launch. Mattia ships authentic italian goods like their coffee for their tirismusi, cannolis, chocolate all the way from Italy to ensure Ragusa’s features only the best and true italian delicacies.
The story is told best by Laurie, and is framed in front of the Ragusa’s truck for all to read and be inspired by: “In 2017, I left the US for the first time and traveled to Ragusa, Sicily to explore the beautiful island my family once called home. Before I left, a good friend told me how much I would love Italy; that I would fall in love 1000 times; and if I didn't get my heart broken at least twice, then I didn't really live it! And he was 100% right! I fell in love with everything: the food, the culture, the coffee, the people... What was supposed to be just a 6-day visit to see the church where my great-grandparents were married, turned into 30 days of indulging my senses as never before. One of my favorite cuisines, strangely, turned out to be a spicy salami crepe, cooked to crispy perfection by a sweet and funny Sicilian man named Peppe. Peppe would joke with me and say "my crepes can stand on their own," because they were served hand-held, rather than as a floppy pancake on a plate. I loved it! And there was nothing like it where I was from. Thus, the idea for Ragusa's Italian Cafe was born! We wanted to honor where our dreams were made, so we named the food truck after the city where it all began: Ragusa, Sicily. With our mobile cafe, we aspire to share a taste of how traveling the world can change your perspective, using authentic Italian treats to transport our customers into unique, international environments, taking them on a journey to discover, connect, and learn from another culture.”
The Ragusa’s Team
Small, lively, and passionate is how you’ll find the Ragusa’s team. Laurie and her team are committed to preparing only the highest quality and most authentic Sicilian crepes for Kansas Citians, this way they won’t have to cross oceans to get a true taste of Italy!
On The Menu
Let’s first talk Sicilian Crepes Vs. traditional French Crepes we typically see around Kansas City. Across Ragusa’s truck in bold blue font you’ll find the phrase “Not a floppy pancake on a plate!”. Sicilian crepes are crispier than French crepes, and are served folded delicately and upright, making it the perfect on-the go treat. The Ragusa’s team tried a total of 36 crepe batter recipes before landing on the perfect recipe ratio which is still used to make their crepes to this day. You’ll find a variety of options of crepes, both savory and sweet, on the menu. Their most popular sweet crepes being their Strawberry Cheesecake, and theTiramisu. You’ll find me enjoying their savory La Siciliana Crepe with spicy salami, provolone, fresh romas, arugula and oregano. It’s the perfectly fulfilling lunch or snack that leaves me thinking about it for weeks after trying! The combination of the spicy salami and the melted provolone can’t be beat. Ragusa’s also offers italian cream sodas, lemonades, and fresh cannolis imported from Italy and filled with homemade Italian ricotta sweet cream. Whether you’re visiting the food truck on your own or with your closest crew, everyone will be able to find something they enjoy!
Where can you find the Ragusa’s Food Truck?
You can find the truck nestled in the West Bottoms, the River Market, pop-up events, and various other Kansas City locations. Keep track of the food truck’s schedule and location on their website and social media at @ragusaskc as it’s always changing! Ragusa’s also caters to weddings, parties, and local events in the Kansas City area.
