Sneak preview: MishMash

While checking out a preview event for the new Iron Fist Brewing Co. tasting room in Barrio Logan, got a sneak peek of a new restaurant that will soon be the craft-beer spot’s neighbor. MishMash currently operates as a catering company and food truck (often serving local brewery tasting rooms). It also occasionally pops up as a mobile food stand, as it did for the Iron Fist opening.

This evening the stand was serving pressed Cuban sandwiches featuring pork shoulder, Italian ham, pickles, and cheese on a fresh baked bolillo roll (like a baguette). The tasty sandwich hit pleasure points all over my palate, and on its own would be a positive sign the restaurant will be a great neighbor for a place that serves beer, particularly in this new Mercado del Barrio development that promises to bring a little added life to this part of Barrio Logan, which sits under the eastern leg of the Coronado Bridge.

After running into one of the catering company’s owners (and pretending my questions were those of a curious bystander rather than a hungry food writer), it turns out like the place won’t be specializing in Cuban food (as tasty as that sounds). Nor will it strictly focus on sandwiches. These guys and gals like to cook creatively, and a glance at their online menu reveals stuff such as wonton fish tacos and organic grass-fed burgers stuffed with goat cheese.

But they really got my attention with a batch of duck fat fries topped by duck confit and slathered with duck based gravy. Basically it was a couple of cheese curds away from being a duck poutine, and I don’t know if this ultra-rich dish could have added curds without a breach of foodie decorum. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a poultry dish so decadent that didn’t involve bacon or pork belly.

When a different MishMasher asked whether I’d tried the fries yet, I played dumb and took a second helping. While not proud of this, I did go home beer fed and happy that night. For a guy who doesn’t hang in the Barrio too much, knowing I can find good beer and food like this in one location could change my mind. It bodes well for the neighborhood.