SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Monica Sanders is living her dream, operating a Colombian food truck named Que Sabroso in Spokane Valley. Her journey to achieving this dream, however, was marked by numerous challenges and setbacks.
Monica Sanders, owner of Que Sabroso Food Truck, shared her love for Colombian cuisine.
“I think Colombian love language is dancing or food,” she said. “Everyone who tastes it is like what do you put in that thing?”
Sanders discovered her passion for cooking early in life. “My first meal I cooked when I was 9 years old,” she said, recalling her childhood in Colombia.
Despite the lack of modern conveniences, she found joy in cooking. “If you want to punish me, do not send me in the kitchen to cook because that’s my joy,” she added.
Obstacles have always been opportunities for Monica. “I know I want to get there, the route didn’t work, now I have to figure out an alternate route,” she stated. This mindset led her to Spokane Valley, where her Colombian restaurant on wheels is now a reality.
Monica initially considered other ventures, such as a Colombian coffee shop or a cupcake shop, but eventually realized the need for Colombian food.
“In the middle of the night, I’m like dummy, you’re Colombian. Colombian food is just the thing that we don’t have,” she said.
Though she had a food truck for 10 years, Sanders needed a full kitchen for cooking and prepping. She invested all her savings into a commercial kitchen but faced a setback when a fire destroyed it a week before she was set to open. “I didn’t get to use the kitchen,” she said.
Despite this challenge, Monica remained determined. “That’s not an option,” she emphasized when considering giving up. Her persistence led her to the Liberty Lake Farmer’s Market, where she found success.
“My saving grace was the Liberty Lake Farmer’s market,” she said.
While working multiple side jobs, Monica discovered a commercial kitchen in an old retirement home. “They have a beautiful kitchen in there that was not being used,” she said, allowing her to resume her business.
Monica’s journey has not been easy. “I have faced so many obstacles,” she admitted. “I sometimes worked two to three jobs just to pay for this.”
Despite the hardships, her passion for cooking and sharing her love for Colombian food kept her going.
“The reason I wanted a food truck is so I could bring my love to different places,” Monica stated.
Her big blue and pink truck, Que Sabroso, now brings Colombian flavors to Spokane Valley.
