Tri-Cities openings: Zombie Kitchen + tropical fruit bar and more
A new food truck has taken over a busy Kennewick intersection that hosts Angel Brook Farm & Market during the growing season.
Zombie Kitchen is making the spot at the corner of West Clearwater Avenue and Edison Street in front of Super Supplements, its winter quarters. Jose and Yazmin Jimenez and their sister-in-law, Yazira, launched the business Jan. 8.
It’s leasing the spot near Safeway though May 31, said Jose Jimenez, who also owns an HVAC business and Bulldog Signs and Graphic.
The team spent about two years rehabilitating the former El Fat Cat Grill food truck into an event-focused mobile kitchen.
They intended to focus on fairs and special events. Instead, they decided to operate it at a fixed location once they completed the lengthy approval process. That included getting licenses and other approvals from fire officials, the Benton-Franklin Health District and other agencies.
They committed to five months. After their lease expires, the spot is expected to revert again to a seasonal produce stand while Zombie Kitchen hits the summer event circuit.
The location does not have utility hook ups, so the truck has to be moved in each day.
Jimenez said his wife and sister-in-law are the cooks in the family and are driving the latest business venture.
They decided to create a food truck business after spotting El Fat Cat’s unused truck at its stand off Edison Street, near Kamiakin High School.
The older food truck has the wide open windows along the full length of the kitchen they wanted. Jimenez said it gives a sense of openness that fosters better connections with customers.
The made-fresh menu was designed with events in mind and features chicken baskets, hot dogs, carne asada fries and Red Bull drinks. Jimenez plans to expand the menu and will add tacos and other specials.
Hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
Follow Zombie Kitchen on Instagram at bit.ly/Zombie1Kitchenat Zombie1Kitchen.
1derful tropical destination
Tropical Express Cafe & Fruit Bar will be the second business to move into 1derful Food Park, a Kennewick food mall between McDonald’s and Sportsman’s Warehouse in the Colonnade Shopping Center in west Kennewick.
Owners Alexia and Jose Rodriguez expect to open in March.
The 1derful location is the third for Tropical Express, which began with a cart in Connell and later expanded to Kennewick when they bought a cart at 342 W. Columbia Drive, near Hubby’s Pizza.
Tropical Express is a full-service coffee bar with a focus on tropical themes and fresh fruit. The Rodriguezes will offer food items, including acai bowls, at the new location.
1derful Food Park is a unique development with seven spaces equipped with kitchens for small restaurants. It is currently home to a Korean BBQ restaurant and is close to the busy Summer’s Hub food truck pod.
Watch this space for more information about the new coffee shop.
Golf Universe moves
Golf Universe has completed its move to new quarters near Kamiakin High School.
The full-service pro shop moved to 825 N. Edison St. after closing down its longtime store on West Clearwater Avenue shortly after Christmas.
The business gained high-tech equipment for club repair. and three Trackman hitting bays.
It held a soft opening on Jan. 2
Aub’s takes sixth
Aub’s Bananza Bread, a Kennewick- and Pasco-based business led by Aubrieann Johnson, placed sixth in The Greatest Baker, an online competition organized by Bake From Scratch magazine.
Supporters voted for their favorite candidate with the winner receiving $10,000 in prize money and a feature in the magazine. Voting is ongoing.
Proceeds supported the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation to fight pediatric cancer.
Read Johnson’s story here and follow her on her Facebook page.
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This story was originally published January 10, 2024 at 7:00 AM.