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Island Shrimp 

Caribbean Taste, Appleton 

In May 2019, Reggie Desamour’s idea for a Caribbean food truck became a reality. Desamour serves authentic Caribbean food on the road and at events with his Caribbean Taste food truck and as a pop-up restaurant out of Green Tomato in Appleton. He also regularly serves at McFleshman’s Brewing Co. in Appleton. Desamour first came to Wisconsin as part of an academic program in 2009. Once that was completed, he realized his passion was cooking, something he did in Haiti with his mother. Dishes like his jerk chicken, rice and beans, pikliz (Haitian coleslaw), mango lime chicken and garlic pork have garnered a loyal following. The popular island shrimp is paired with fried plantains and accra fritters. Check out Caribbean Taste’s Facebook page for up-to-date hours of operation and locations. Currently operating for curbside pickup and delivery.

Tuna Poke Rice Bowl

Zuppas Market Cafe and Catering, Neenah

Stagnancy is not something diners will encounter at Zuppas, a long time staple of the Neenah dining scene. The cafeteria-style restaurant and deli proves once again they have some new tricks up their sleeves with the debut of their poke bowls. Poke bowls have been trending in larger cities for a few years, but they are still hard to come by in the Fox Cities. Poke translates to “slice or cut” in Hawaiian and refers to chunks of raw, marinated fish (in this case tuna) that is served over rice and topped with vegetables – think of it like a deconstructed sushi roll. The preparations of the poke bowl at Zuppas changes with product availability, but this one is served with tuna, sesame cucumbers, shaved cabbage, pickled daikon radishes and carrots, avocado, bean sprouts and wasabi aioli. Zuppas is currently offering takeout and curbside pickup of family dinner packages. Check out their Facebook page for menus.

Pierri Special

Pierri Pizza, Appleton

Local icon Frank’s Pizza Palace closed in 2018, much to the dismay of diners everywhere. Riley Brice, grandson of original owner Frank Pierri, reopened the restaurant on April 3 with a new name and a limited menu including build your own thin crust pizzas, garlic bread, hot beef sandwiches and one specialty pie – the Pierri Special. It’s topped with a pound of fresh ground pork sausage, a pound of thinly sliced mushrooms and two additional toppings of your choice. Despite opening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, phones rang off the hook and the restaurant ran out of ingredients over opening weekend. Pierri Pizza is offering pickup only and frozen pizzas are also available for carryout. Unlike Frank’s before them, Pierri Pizza now accepts credit and debit cards. Visit their Facebook page for updated hours of service.

Get more dining scene updates in Food for Thought, available May 1.