Hummus with side of sassy: Downtown Fresno to see new Mediterranean franchise restaurant
Something different is headed for downtown Fresno: Hummus Republic.
It’s a restaurant and Los Angeles-based company, and a Fresno native is opening one of its first franchises here.
It specializes in modern Mediterranean food, with a little bit of sassy attitude.
Owner Chloe Cardoza is “hoping, hoping, hoping” to open about the second week of March, with COVID-19 already having delayed plans for months.
The restaurant is taking over an empty spot at 2424 Tulare Ave., near N Street and just down the street from Kikku Japanese Food.
When it does open, the restaurant will serve healthy food, with plenty of options for people on special diets, and people who want steak in their meal. It offers vegan, keto and gluten-free options.
“The best way to describe it, it’s Chipotle style,” Cardoza said. “You build your own.”
Vegan, keto, gluten free
The meals come as wraps, pitas or a bowls.
Customers pick their base from salad options like spinach, warm garbanzo beans or organic couscous. They pick their hummus or spread from four types of hummus, feta cheese or tzatziki (the Greek yogurt sauce).
Then they choose their protein. Options include Moroccan steak, chicken shawarma, mushroom shawarma, falafel and vegan beef made from a plant-based protein.
Sauces and toppings are added on top, everything from fried jalapeños and chickpea croutons to more traditional vegetable toppings.
Hummus Republic also sells a vegan “earth burger” with sweet potato fries.
“What Hummus Republic is really known for is their falafel,” Cardoza said.
That falafel is also why she plans to buy the same neon sign others locations have hanging on their wall indoors. It says “eat my balls,” which is a reference to the balls of falafel and the hummus that comes in round scoops.
Why downtown Fresno?
Cardoza and her fiancé, Esteban ”Steve” Martinez, are opening the location. Both have restaurant backgrounds and met when Cardoza was a waitress at the Fresno Sal’s Mexican Restaurant and Martinez was general manager.
Cardoza has a soft spot for downtown Fresno.
“Downtown Fresno is such an up-and-coming area,” she said. “I really know it’s going to thrive. Look at Bitwise, look at all those up-and-coming businesses downtown.”
This story was originally published February 22, 2021 at 11:58 AM.
