Proof Gastropub opens new Tri-Cities restaurant — with a secret. Also, new Laotian eatery

Don’t be fooled — the newly opened Juice Box Bar in Pasco isn’t for kids.

But adults will delight at what they find when they pass through the hidden doors to the speakeasy connected to the new Proof Kitchen & Bar in west Pasco.

Michael Miller, owner of Proof Gastropub in Kennewick and founder of Stick+Stone Wood-Fired Pizza in Richland, has opened a second Proof location at 6627 Burden Blvd..

“The Pasco location will cater more toward families who live near there,” Miller told the Herald.

While the Kennewick location on Columbia Center Boulevard has always been ‘family friendly,’ the Pasco restaurant’s larger space will accommodate more families and it is separate from the bar, the Juice Box, he said.

Miller created hidden doors throughout the space to give access to the lounge that features arcade games, private karaoke rooms and a cocktail bar.

Specialty drinks include a Kennewick Man with bacon infused bourbon and simple syrup, and a Bandita with tequila, chili liquor and mango and lime.

The karoake rooms rent for $50 to $90 an hour depending on time and day. The rooms can hold up to 20 people — although current COVID health restrictions limit their capacity.

The restaurant’s menu maintains its high-end modern flair with Proof Poutine, specialized burgers and handheld sandwiches, along with pork belly tacos and a ahi tuna poke bowl.

For a full menu, go to proofgastropub.com.

Pasco Proof Kitchen and Bar is open noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and closed Mondays.

Grand opening

Watcha Waitin Pho had its grand opening Friday, Sept. 18.

The authentic Laotian food truck was serving starting at noon at West Coast Auto Sales at 3203 W. Marie St. in the Pasco Auto Plex.

Owner Syphe Syahphay moved to Washington from Laos in 1981.

Her family first lived with another family in the Bellevue area. But she moved to the Tri-Cities when she was 5 after her father died and her mom remarried.

Syahphay told the Herald she noticed that many of the food trucks in Tri-Cities were Asian fusion, but she wanted to stick to her authentic roots.

Among dishes are a special pho — a noodle soup and chicken larb with pepper flakes that’s made with goolanga rice and traditional Laotian jerky — meat that is dried and flash fried and served with sticky or steamed rice.

Syahphay also is a blackjack dealer working at several casinos in the Tri-Cities, and has managed to introduce pho to several of their menus.

She said she loves dealing cards. “But if we can do well with the food business I’d like to just focus on that,” she said.

The Auto Plex will be the truck’s anchor location, but days and hours are not yet final.

Whatcha Waitin Pho will also do pop-up locations throughout the Tri-Cities — including one at Paper Street Brewing at 241 Fanning Road in Pasco on Sept. 25 at 4:30 p.m.

If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Allison Stormo at astormo@tricityherald.com.

This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 5:30 AM.