Where flavor gets its wings

I first tried food from The Flying Pig in March at an annual retreat for my day job. Everything was fresh and big and bright and delicious. At the end of the food table sat a heaping bowl of something I’d never seen before. Ordinarily I’d pass something like this by because it was an odd color and, honestly, it looked like something that might be good for me (what if it was some type of fruit salad? My day would be ruined!).

I decided to risk it. Thank God and all that is holy. Because in that mystery bowl was a glorious heap of Sweet Potato Salad – a magic mixture of sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, celery and spices, tossed in a creamy dressing. I still can’t put my finger on that mix of spices, but it’s a splendid thing that I now crave almost as deeply as I crave chocolate. Did I just say that? I did.

Wednesday part of my work group decided to pay The Flying Pig a visit for lunch. It’s just outside of downtown on East Sprague, in Spokane’s International District (yes, we do have one), sandwiched between the Rainbow Tavern and Croteau’s appliance. Side note: I love that new businesses are taking a chance and inserting themselves into this colorful neighborhood, especially new businesses that add a little extra flavor.

So there we were, sitting in the sunshine that streams through the storefront’s windows. The breakfast crowd had just cleared out and the early lunch crowd was trickling in. Neighborhood regulars were sitting at the counter, talking with the friendly owners/kitchen staff while they made our meals. Lunch breakers were grouped around tables, fighting the urge to color on the table-side chalk boards — certainly those slates were installed to entertain children, not grown-ups in business shoes. As if.

I ordered the Pizano Pig – a grilled sandwich consisting of salami, turkey, pepperoncinis, provolone and zesty tomato sauce on hearty slabs of marble rye. It came to the table on a paper plate that was resting inside of an upside down Frisbee (which provided stability and a little bit of picnic kitsch). Also on the plate was a bowl full of that magic Sweet Potato Salad and a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie. The sandwich was huge and – dare I say it – was packed with almost too much meat. The salad, well, in my book it’s pretty much the Holy Grail of sides. Top it all off with an almost-warm cookie and I’m just not sure there’s a better way to get through a mid-week lunch hour.

You’ll find The Flying Pig at 1822 E. Sprague.