New Mexican restaurant on its way to Kansas City’s West Bottoms
Nunez Foods isn’t your average Mexican restaurant.
In fact, it’s kind of its own thing, owner Brenda Nunez said. She sells items like ramen birria, birria tacos, hot Cheeto birria balls, birria pizza, funnel cakes, aguachile, ceviche and more.
After six years of serving her cuisine at a to-go spot at 2110 N. 18th St. in Kansas City, Kansas, Nunez is opening a full-service spot in the West Bottoms.
It’ll be at 1623 Genesee St., moving into the former Fortunati Pizza space. It’s about three weeks or so from opening.
The KCK spot will remain open.
While renovations are being completed, Nunez has been parking her food truck outside the building, giving the neighborhood a taste of what’s to come. So far, the reaction has been positive.
“I feel like people are going to like it, and I hope that a lot of people are going to visit and give us a chance,” she said.
Nunez said she was inspired to open a fusion restaurant after traveling to California a few years ago. There, she tasted ramen birria and fell in love. She decided to cook for her family at home and captured a picture for Snapchat.
After posting, she received several messages from friends:
“Are you selling this?”
“Can I have some?”
Nunez told them she wasn’t before, but she could start.
What began as a hobby quickly turned into a business. She opened the to-go location in KCK and added two food trucks.
Now she gets recognized in public by fans of her birria plates. She appreciates that, she said.
“Not necessarily the acknowledgement, but the enjoyment people have when they have our food.”