It’s not easy being a dreamer. Creatives like Bravas owner Bo Gonzalez find themselves wrestling between what is practical and what is possible. There’s a nagging to push for better, but striving for better is always a process.
Gonzalez’s latest effort promises to be his best work yet.
A little more than 10 years after pushing a hot dog cart around downtown, he’s leveraged that into a successful food truck and had a restaurant at 3412 Fairfield Ave. before closing in the summer of 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After reopening the food truck with demand as high as you’d expect for his specialty burgers, hot dogs, patatas, and other new creations, such as the cheesesteak burrito this month, he says he’s “this close” to opening his new restaurant at 3416 Fairfield Ave., just a couple of doors down from the previous location.
If you follow Bravas on social media, you know that when they announce the food truck will be open, mostly parked outside the new restaurant, you better get your order in in advance … because their will be a wait.
Gonzalez says he’s humbled by the response of the community, even more so when they helped with Bravas crowdfunding campaign to get to the finish line for the restaurant. The effort generated to some 194 donors contributing more than $22,000 for the final phase of the project. The entire project, according to their indiegogo.com page, totals about $700,000.
Gonzalez says much of the Bravas truck menu will continue at the new location.
“We call it a Spanish-American mash-up,” Gonzalez said.
It’s an obvious connection to his deep roots in Spain, with dishes perfected over generations by his family. He calls the Mediterranean taste authentic Spanish. He says its more European than Mexican with a historic Moor influence.
The restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor dining in addition to a small beer and wine bar with many of his Spanish favorites on the menu.
The musician turned restaurateur says its all about creating a mood, a great time, and an experience, right down to the music played inside.
And like a creative, it’s a vibe he picked himself.
California (Burger) dreaming
If the line of cars wrapped around their Covington Road location is any indication, Fort Wayne’s newest burger joint, California Burger, has been a hit.
Along with more than a dozen different burgers, they also have veggie, fish, chicken, turkey, and triple-decker sandwiches. There’s also ice cream and appetizers like okra and onion rings, and the salads are intriguing.
The Fort Wayne location is California Burger’s third. The other two are in Indianapolis.
Sassie Cakes opening 2nd location
A local baker is expanding as Sassie Coffee & Sweets Boutique is expected to open by early June in the Shorewood Shops at Illinois and Scott roads.
The boutique will offer custom-made, specialty cakes, but you can also stop by to grab some tasty pastries, ice cream, and coffee.
It’s the second store for Sassie Cakes, with the other at 1014 Broadway.
Jefferson Pointe adding Chicken Salad Chick
Another tenant is joining Chipotle in the space formerly occupied by Bob Evans at Jefferson Pointe.
Like the name says, Chicken Salad Chick will offer chicken salad in more than dozen varieties. You can also grab a sandwich, soup, and salad.
Chicken Salad Chick has nearly 200 franchises in 17 states.
Pizza Hut brings back basketballs
A Pizza Hut promotion from the 1990s is back.
In years past, Pizza Hut offered basketballs to coincide with the NCAA Tournament, which kicked off Tuesday, March 14.
At participating stores via the website and app, they’ll again be offering the basketballs for $7. In staying with the basketball theme, their Big New Yorker comes in boxes that convert into hoop and backboard.
Off the Eaten Path is the Whatzup weekly column that covers Northeast Indiana’s restaurant and food news. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
