Wednesday, March 10, 2010

New Restaurant at Reid Park Zoo

Posted By on Wed, Mar 10, 2010 at 3:03 PM

Reid Park Zoo has turned its concession stand into a full-service, air-conditioned restaurant, says Don Morgan, the eatery's executive chef.

Zoofari Market boasts a super eco-friendly design that includes clay walls, bamboo booth dividers, stained concrete floors and an animal mural made from dried plants and reclaimed materials. The renovation to the indoor 2,000-square-foot space cost about $350,000. Outdoor seating is also available.

On the menu: Angus beef hamburgers, Nathan's hotdogs, taco salads, burritos, rice, beans, nachos, a salad bar, corndogs, pretzels, churros and desserts. Drinks include fountain sodas and homemade lemonade and agua fresca.

Hamburgers and hotdogs were the finest foods available at the old concession stand, and only outdoor seating was available.

Food is ordered at the counter and delivered to the table, Morgan said. The eatery will open Jaguar Junction, an outdoor grilling area that features a dollar menu, this weekend.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily.