“I am very excited, scared, and at the same time I am ready for a new chapter. London has been welcomed to my food, to the things I create, vegan, vegetarian, keto and I have to say that I am very grateful for these 3 years,” he says.
Ivano’s Poblano current food truck location on Oxford Street. (Mariana Calles/XFM News)
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He strongly believes vegan and organic food options is a growing business and with the support of Londoners, he is now able to dream big.
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“When I first opened the truck, I didn’t think vegan was going to be one of my big sellers.”
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Customers are very happy with the way he cooks the food and he says he uses the best ingredients he can.
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“It’s growing, especially organic. It’s great that people are going back to our roots. That’s how we grew up eating them. No processed food.”
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Ivan’s restaurant is believed to be the only Latin-american food place in the city, in which everything in the menu is completely organic and nothing is fried.
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“The ratatouille quesadilla, I know it’s french, but I took from the French and I added my Mexican touch to make it a little spicy. I have a lot of options like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros.”
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Ratatouille quesadilla (Photo: Ivano Santana-Barnes)
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He tells XFM News the key to a successful business and the one that it has always worked for him.
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“I want people to feel welcomed. Even if I am having a bad day, I will always have a smile because that’s my key to keep going in life.”
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“Right now is very stressful opening a new place, but I am just a believer, so I believe in smiling and doing everything with love.”
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Santana-Barnes is also known for his cheerful spirit. He often shows some dance moves to his customers and all dance along side with him.
