SEATTLE — In celebration of Women's History Month, we're featuring local makers, artists and entrepreneurs leaving their indelible marks on western Washington.
Here are five women-owned places to grab a bite!
The most important meal of the day is made-to-order inside a mobile kitchen, co-founded by Ande Janousek and Tara Zumpano.
"Food connects all of us,” Janousek said. “It doesn't matter who you are, food connects you."
Each egg sandwich is named after an inspirational woman, including the Frida Avokahlo, Ruth Tater Ginsberg, Nina Smoked Salmone, and Sausage Patti Smith.
“Badass women, you can't go wrong,” Janousek said.
Zumpano added, “That's what we want to be, I guess!"
Sunny Up makes stops throughout the Seattle area.
Grab lunch at this longtime Tacoma spot for a tasty meal without meat!
"We get a lot of people saying, 'Even if you're not a vegan, it's really good - you should try it,’” said Afi Howell, who manages the restaurant alongside the founder (and her mother) Niombi.
The eatery specialized in plant-based food long before it was mainstream. Since the 1990’s, customers have lined up for favorites like Mac and Yease (made with nutritional yeast,) the Mama Africa Burger (made with millet and quinoa) and vegan cheesesteak.
Quickie Too is located at 1324 MLK Jr. Way in Tacoma and is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. All meals are to-go and it’s a cashless restaurant.
If you’re on the hunt for authentic New Mexican food made with hatch chiles, head to Whatcom County.
"I didn't know the big difference until I left, you take it for granted,” said owner Dora Ruiz. “As I traveled around the U.S. looking for that flavor I grew up with, that I hungered, I couldn't find it."
Known as “The Tamale Lady,” Ruiz opened New Mexico Tamale Company to share her childhood memories. Launched in Ferndale, the restaurant moved to a larger space in Bellingham and was named the 2022 Small Business of the Year by the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce.
The small-batch tamale recipes were passed down from Ruiz’s mother, and customers can grab fresh or frozen tamales to-go.
New Mexico Tamale Company is located at 4151 Meridian Street in Bellingham and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Frankie & Jo’s
If you scream for ice cream but are lactose-intolerant, Frankie & Jo's on Capitol Hill was founded by two entrepreneurs who believe indulgence is for everyone.
"We create vegan ice cream and the idea is to make an ice cream that anyone can enjoy,” said co-owner Autumn Martin.
Her business partner Kari Brunson added, "We make every aspect of our ice cream. The ice cream base, all the inclusions."
They spent a year coming up with flavors like beet strawberry rose and salty caramel ash. The unique options earned a cult following, and Frankie & Jo's now has four locations – including the first out-of-state operation, in California.
In addition to the Capitol Hill flagship, Frankie & Jo’s has a scoop shop in University Village and a sundae shop in Ballard. You can also buy their ice cream at some Washington State grocery stores.
Cakes of Paradise
Have your colorful cake and eat it, too - at a Hawaiian bakery in the Georgetown neighborhood.
Cakes of Paradise is a family-owned bakery using matriarch Mary Jean Buza-Sims' recipes, inspired by her childhood in Kauai.
It’s now operated by her daughter-in-law Pualani Kane-Sims and other family members.
"It sounds funny that you feel like you could make a difference through sweets or through cakes, but it really does. It brings a smile to people's faces,” Kane-Sims said.
Buza-Sims added, “So many people say, 'I don't even eat cake, but I eat your cake!’"
The top seller is the rainbow cake, integrating flavors of strawberry, lime, orange, passion fruit and guava. There are also the popular Chantilly (chocolate with toasted macadamia nuts) and pineapple coconut cakes.
Cakes of Paradise is located at 6322 6th Avenue South in Seattle and is open daily.
KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Email.