Zoës Kitchen to open in Brookside next month
BY KYLE ARNOLD World Staff Writer
Saturday, December 08, 2012
12/08/12 at 4:26 AM
Mediterranean healthy-eating restaurant Zoës Kitchen is making big changes to the Brookside building it plans to call home in January.
Essentially all that is left of the former Flying Burrito Co. structure at 3629 S. Peoria Ave. is two walls.
"This is probably one of the most expensive builds we've ever done on a location," said Allyn Taylor, vice president of development for the Birmingham, Ala.-based fast-casual restaurant chain.
The company is spending more than $1 million on the renovation project, he said.
Zoës serves Greek-inspired food such as kabobs, sandwiches and salads at its 60-plus locations nationwide, mostly in the Southeast.
"What we pride ourself in is fresh food," said company spokeswoman Rachel Phillips-Luther. "All of our food is fresh-made. It comes in the back door as raw fruits and vegetables and is prepared right there on site."
The fast-casual format means customers will order from the counter. Food is prepared and then brought to their tables.
Among the restaurant's most popular dishes are chicken and beef kabobs and Greek and pasta salads made with olive oil.
Phillips-Luther said the chain takes a lot of steps to improve the healthiness of its food, including the olive oil substitution and adding more vegetables to entrees. She said Zoës also offers gluten-free and vegetarian options and doesn't deep fry anything.
"We don't have any fryers or microwaves," Phillips-Luther said.
Zoës also features soups, grilled and classic sandwiches, hummus and gyros.
One of Zoës' most popular items is a "dinner for four" combination that includes kabobs, salad, rice and pita bread for $30 to $40. Most entree items on the menu range from $7 to $12.
Taylor said the building was formerly a home that had been converted several times in past decades into a variety of businesses, including shops and restaurants. But even with a great location and a history as a dining place, the ceilings were too low and there were other structural problems that called for an overhaul, he said.
The 3,600-square-foot renovated building will have a modern look, with bright colors and clean lines to complement the restaurant's food style, Taylor said.
The company-owned location will also be quite a bit larger than the average 2,500-square-foot Zoës restaurant.
The move to Tulsa comes as Zoës focuses on expanding its footprint. Taylor said the company hopes to add several more locations in Oklahoma.
Zoës is already working on a location near 101st Street and Memorial Drive, and Taylor said it is also closing in on another metro area location.
After establishing in Tulsa, he said the company plans to look to Oklahoma City for more expansion. In all, he said he sees seven or more Zoës locations in the state.
Zoës Kitchen sample menu
(From its location in downtown Birmingham, Ala.)
Chicken Kabobs — $8.99
Two kabobs, grilled
peppers and onions,
tomato, rice pilaf, side
greek salad
Steak Roll-Ups — $8.29
Sliced tri-tip, swiss,
sautéed mushrooms,
caramelized onions, side
yogurt dressing, fresh
side
Zoes Club Pita — $7.39
Grilled Chicken, ham,
swiss, lettuce, tomato,
spicy mustard
Greek Salad — $7.49
Tomato, cucumber,
peppers, olives, onions,
feta, greens, over potato
salad.
Chicken Pita Pizza — $8.99
Mozzarella, feta, fresh
basil, marinara, side
greek salad
Original Print Headline: Brookside awaits Greek-style Zoës chain
Kyle Arnold 918-581-8380
kyle.arnold@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
An artist’s rendering shows the Zoës Kitchen location that’s expected toopen next month on South Peoria Avenue. Courtesy
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