ROCKPORT – Street Food 330, where southwest meets southeast. But what does that mean?

This new small eatery, at 330 Commercial Street (Route 1) in Rockport, is a collaboration between two women, each with a particular culinary expertise. They are serving delectable and eclectic food to the general public. 

The name tells you where it is.  It is not hard to miss the red building with loads of parking at the former Fuller Chevrolet spot, near the intersection of Route 1 and Pascal Ave.

There are two menus: Southwestern-style fish tacos, borracho bean and cheese quesadilla, or the American burrito. 

Or go southeastern with exotic tastes of Cambodia and Vietnam with Banh Hoi, fresh spring rolls or shredded papaya salad, and Banh Xeo, which is a Vietnamese pancake with shrimp or tofu. 

Mary K. Moriarty said Banh Xeo is a crepe with a batter of turmeric, rice flour, coconut milk, and green onions. After it is fried it is filled with tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts and onions. There are two to an order and it’s finished with fresh greens and a lime chili fish sauce.  

She  explained that growing up as a little girl in Cambodia, everyone had a cook in the house and she said she spent her time in the kitchen, watching. 

“I spent 20 years over there,” she said. “My father moved us over there in 1996 and we left in 1997 because of a coup. We returned when they opened the country again. I lived there up until 2007 and came to Camden Hills Regional High School, finished and moved back to Cambodia.” 

Moriarty’s business partner, Stephanie Turner, and her husband are from California. They are skilled in cooking Mexican and southwestern foods and have always been thrilled with the idea of cooking a burrito without the meat.  

Moriarty said that idea grew as they started talking about cuisine.

“The two cultures cross over so much with the ingredients and the flavors, so we thought it would be cool to bring the two cultures together,” she said.

Turner also owns the hair salons that are next door to Street Food 330. 

“I was doing a client’s hair in one of my suites,” said Turner. “Mary was getting her hair done in another suite and overheard me say that I shopped in an Asian market and she asked which one I go to. I said I go to Veranda Asian Market  in Portland and she said yes, that’s the only one to go to.” 

“Her father was a marine in Vietnam and my husband was a marine in Vietnam so there was a connection there,” she said. “Mary had culinary experience and all I had ever done was serve cocktails, but knew how to cook and I had an idea.” 

As the two women talked the more an idea grew into Street Food 330.  

“We’re equal partners,” she said. “Our theme is modern rustic with a third world taste of the foods. Coming from California there is a lot of crossovers with the lime, and cilantro, and the peppers. We make four big batches of cilantro; lime rice a day and we go through every bit of it.” 

Turner said all the salsas are homemade and they are complimentary with tortilla chips to go with them. You have your choice of Smokey Fresh Red, a medium salsa; Red Salsa, very spicy; Green Tomatillo, medium to mild; and Death Sauce, very spicy.  

The main goal is to have quick, fresh food and not overcharge. Street Food 330 is currently open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Moriarty said they have plans to open for breakfast one day a week, but haven’t decided on which day yet.  

“People can call in their order, too,” she said. “Our number is 207-706-4989. Our herbs and spices we get at the Asian market, but all our produce we try to buy locally. We want to add paninis with bread from a local baker, as well.” 

Bright, cheerful, friendly, and just darn good food. Street Food 330 is a must try.