Karlee Flores: Dirty Soda Diva

If you've made your way to Floso Dirty Soda, chances are you've crossed paths with the woman behind the counter: Karlee Sisler Flores. She is one of the four owners of Salem’s specialty soda cart. Originally from Corvallis, Karlee moved to Salem for college in 2005. After graduation, she started her at-home bakery making custom orders from pretty drip cakes to rainbow dash cupcakes. Her culinary creativity wasn’t her only outlet, she was nurturing another dream—writing. With two books already under her belt, she’s just as much an aspiring author as she is a food creator.

In 2015, Karlee decided to take her business digital, moving her recipes online to her blog, Olive and Artisan, where she was able to share her love of writing, photography, and recipes all in one space. Her blog earned Best Photography recognition from the Saveur Blog Awards in 2017. From there, Karlee started her own media company that helps brands with digital goods like food photography, videography, social media consulting, writing, and recipe development.

In the last few years, she has moved most of her content over to her Substack newsletter, Karlee is Writing. Turning a passion into a business can be a double-edged sword, Karlee shared. "Having a place to just write, without the pressure of food-related content, has been like a balm for my soul." Recently, she achieved a life goal—finishing her first novel, a young adult/new adult coming-of-age story. The book is now in the hands of her literary agent, so keep an eye out for it in the future.

Karlee’s entrepreneurial journey doesn’t end there. A year ago, Karlee’s friends, the Reynosos, came to her with an idea to bring dirty soda to Oregon. Karlee, who had “been looking for a way back into the consumer space and outside of the prying eyes of the internet,” said the timing was perfect. Alongside her husband, she took the leap and Floso opened its doors on June 28, 2024. For those yet to try, dirty soda, it’s a mix of soda, flavored syrups, cream and add-ons…but before you head out to grab your first (or 10th), stop and take a peek at what makes this foody, author, and entrepreneur sparkle! 

What is your favorite thing about Salem?

It’s cheese-y to say, “There are so many things,” and there really are. But I think for me, it just feels like home. It’s not pretentious or self-important. The people of Salem, I’ve found, are hardworking and earnest. They’re the reason I feel so confident and excited about the future of our city. And if I could add – really stellar breakfast joints. 

What is your favorite thing to do in Salem?

Besides the aforementioned breakfast, I love the cherry blossoms in the spring, the local productions at The Elsinore in the dead of winter, an iced coffee (or dirty soda) walk and talk with a friend at Bush Park in the summer, and the first day EZ Orchards releases their pumpkin spice donuts in the fall.

Do you have a go-to comfort food recipe?

Mac and Cheese has seen me through some dark times.

Favorite local eatery?

I can’t pick a favorite but a Bo & Vine burger, birria tacos from the Birrieria la Capital food truck off Portland Road, pupusas from Los Dos Hermanos, and beef pho from Pho Keizer are the first places that come to mind. 

Favorite original soda concoction at Floso?

Has to be the aptly named, Karlee. Diet Coke, lavender, true lime, and coconut cream. Sounds weird, but please trust me on this one.

Who inspired your love of cooking?

My mom. She turned a shoestring budget into a delicious meal every night like she was toiling over a cauldron. I don’t know how she did it other than to say – it was magic.

What do you consider the perfect food?

A carbohydrate.

One thing people might find surprising about you?

I completed my first novel and I’m working on my second. Like a gamer with their joystick – I could write for hours without interruption. I’m driven by storytelling and bridging the readers' gap from what they know to how they feel. 

Quiet night in or night on the town?

And I cannot say this loud enough – a quiet night in. Preferably with a book, a movie, and if I’m lucky – a diamond art. 

Dream vacation?

Somewhere with water – a river, an ocean, even a pool, or a big enough hot tub. I don’t care where it is, as long as it’s different from the place I was before. So, while we’re dreaming – at this moment it’s a cabin by a river surrounded by plenty of trees, my laptop so I can write without interruption, and a livestream of my cats back home so I can fully relax.

Best compliment you have received?

A random guy at Walmart once came up to me and said, “You have a nice complexion” and promptly walked on. When I tell you I feed off that compliment regularly as if my whole self-confidence relies on it.

Sweet or dill pill pickles?

Now, being known as the girl that sells a dill pickle drink in Salem you would think I love them. When in fact I can’t even stand the smell of them. Sweet pickles all the way, preferably Sweet Hot Pickles.

This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 23 ( Spring 2025)