(Image: Koko’s)
Heritage didn’t stick around long but it left behind a lovely space (Image; CHS)
By Kali Herbst Minino
The backside of Pike/Pine has a busy summer ahead including a new project from “one of the ‘Best Restaurants in Washington State.”
CHS has new details on the coming soon Koko’s Restaurant and Tequila Bar, a second location for the partnership behind the original Koko’s which has grown into a widely respected dining destination despite its far-flung location in the planned Olympic Peninsula community of Seabrook.
The new Koko’s will open later this summer and joins a flurry of activity on the backside of Pike/Pine including the Stoup Brewing takeover of Optimism Brewing’s 20-barrel brewery and beer hall at Broadway and union. Neighboring queer bar Union, meanwhile, will kick off the busy season with a weekend of no-cover Pride celebration.
At Koko’s, a Latin restaurant intentionally separating itself from casual Tex-Mex is in the works for the 10th Ave location just off Union. Koko’s Restaurant and Tequila Bar co-owners and partners Gibran Moreno and Alexi Torres have plans to open the second location of their Seabrook business within the next two months.
Moreno tells CHS the vision for Koko’s will be an elevated dining experience just outside the Pike/Pine core.
“There are some of these places that you go and they have this big plate of rice and beans. We’re better than this, and we need to represent,” Moreno said.
Koko’s menu will be a fusion of Mexican and Salvadorian foods, combining Moreno’s and Torres’ cultures, respectively. Tulum, Mexico is also an inspiration for the two. Massive lamp shades made by artists in Mexico and palm trees will be used in the space. Moreno thinks of the restaurant as a place get two or three drinks, bring a date, or hold a family reunion.
“Come here, have dinner, have fun, then go somewhere else and be crazy,” Moreno said.
Koko’s is nearly ready to open its doors, but the co-owners are waiting on the city to review their permits. According to Moreno, it is taking more time than usual since the city is not yet back to full service following pandemic cutbacks.
Finding a home in Seattle and on Capitol Hill for a new Koko’s was also a lengthy process. After looking at some places in Belltown that didn’t quite feel right, ultimately finding a spot in Capitol Hill took eight months. Moreno says it’s because the neighborhood remains a popular place for business owners.
“Everybody wants to be here, we were lucky enough to find a place,” Moreno said.
CHS reported here in March on the early plans for a Koko’s expansion in the space formerly home to a Heritage Distilling tasting room that never really rose above the pandemic challenges.
The Capitol Hill -Seabrook connection (Image: Koko’s)
Koko’s will be the youngest business in the building. Its neighbors, Lark and Slab Sandwiches, have both been around for over a decade. Bringing Koko’s to Seattle will be a return for Ventura who previously was part of the kitchen at the Cactus chain of Seattle Mexican joints. Only five years since the tasting room was first built out, the space won’t need major changes for Koko’s with permitting showing plans for a cosmetic overhaul and the addition of a service bar.
The arrival of Koko’s will also create a small cluster of tequila-centric food and drink activity south of E Pike. CHS reported here on the new Black Rock Spirits headquarters and Tequila Lab events space along Madison that has also made room for a growing food truck court featuring vendors like Momo’s Kebab and El Chapulin Oaxaqueno.
Despite the permitting delays at the new Koko’s, Moreno is excited and confident about the opening. He says he would not have been able to imagine opening a restaurant in Seattle four years ago.
“It was just a dream, but dreams come true,” Moreno said. “A lot of people know the background and the history, and they’re so happy for us. We just want to do our best.”
Being in a neighborhood with significant LGBTQIA+ presence, Moreno sees the restaurant as an opportunity to be an example of a successful gay-owned restaurant.
“Especially for us, being part of the community, I will try to prove to my family that no matter who you are, you can still be successful in life,” Moreno said. “It’s for the next generation.”
Koko’s will open later this summer at 1201 10th Ave. Learn more at kokos-restaurant.com.
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