The 6-foot-something man dressed as an avocado with green tights and white tennis shoes was impossible to miss Monday morning. He stood in the pouring rain with a screw gun in one hand as he posted hand-lettered signs that said, “OPEN” and “LUNCH & DINNER” outside Avocado’s, a new restaurant inside what used to be the old Donut Wheel on Eureka Way in Redding.
The Donut Wheel sign is still there, but inside, the space is totally different, from the decorative painted concrete floors (with an avocado in the middle) and green
(avocado-ish, what else?) walls, to thick, wood-slab counters and even an acoustic guitarist who played for the diners. (Nice touch.)
Not a donut in sight.
But that’s exactly what Avocado’s founders, Cory and Elizabeth Bonner, had in mind when they created a restaurant that offers healthy lunch and dinner options.
Bruce and I stopped by Avocado’s at the invitation of Cory Bonner, who’d bragged about his Texas beef brisket, turkey and pork, all smoked and carved on site. He raved about Avocado’s custom salads (you choose the ingredients; everything’s tossed in a bowl and then plated), and the homemade soups, and the open kitchen (which always appeals to me – since I like to watch). And he was especially proud of Avocado’s sides, like stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and baked beans with kielbasa sausage.
“Did I mention the food?” he said. “LUNCH AND DINNER.”
OK, OK, OK.
So we visited Avocado’s Monday. A steady flow of customers of all ages came and went.
Since Avocado’s just opened Friday, it’s understandable that some of the wrinkles are being worked out, such as the restaurant only accepted cash Monday (although the plan is that it will eventually accept credit cards). And some menu items weren’t available.
The atmosphere is airy and artistic, with lots of nature-themed colors and “green” materials. The space is large, with plenty of light from banks of windows on two walls.
It’s a casual, serve-yourself kind of establishment. People choose where they want to sit, then approach the counter’s staff (like the nice folks in this photo) who create customers’ personalized Build-a-Salad, Build-a-Soup, Build-a-Sandwich and Choose-a-Side orders.
Prices range from $3.95 for a small soup ($4.75 for a large) and $4.95 for a small salad ($6.95 for a large) to $6.25 for a half sandwich ($7.50 for a large). Sides cost $2 each, and desserts range from $2 for a large cookie to $4 for either the “Chocolate Ultimate” or the “Bourbon Pecan” dessert. (Monday’s desserts were not made in-house.)
In the menu’s “Pick Any Two” section, $8.25 buys two among the choices of half soup, half sandwich, half salad, and/or any side.
Meanwhile, outside, the man in the soggy avocado costume hopped in the rain from the sidewalk where he waved at traffic.
Inside Avocado’s, where it was warm and dry, Cory circulated between the tables with trays of sample desserts and soups. Smart. (On both counts.)
Avocado’s is located at 1970 Eureka Way in Redding. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s closed Sunday.
