Taco menu takes a backseat to Chef-driven creole pub

Grand Rapids, Mich. (Feb 10, 2023) -- It’s time for something new. Cue the word ‘pivot’. City Built Brewing Company is stepping away from its Puerto Rican roots and well-known taco menu to cultivate a sustainable food culture out of its kitchen and taproom. 

“We were only able to scrape the surface of what Puerto Rican cuisine could be and is. That said, we are in a place where we have to put efficiency, cost of labor, and materials over my desire to share my family's flavor. Instead, I’ve put the emphasis on sharing my culture and Puerto Rican roots as a business owner in an industry that so desperately needs people to shine,” City Built CEO Edwin Collazo said. “I will have opportunities to share my culture in other ways. Business environment creates opportunities for change. I thrive in that environment. It allows me to flex on the goal which is to create a space in my community where cultures collide in meaningful and relevant ways.”

Li Grand Zombi, the chef-driven creole inspired alter ego of City Built, has served weekly features as a “side-hustle” project of Executive Chef Kyle Murray since June 2020. The food concept has proven itself over the last two and a half years with a growing and dedicated fan base, social media presence, and menu best sellers. These feature items often sell out. 

Moving forward, Li Grand Zombi will be known as Zombi Kitchen. This phrase quickly became its nickname by staff and customers within the first few months of operation back in 2020.

Zombi, run and operated by Chef Kyle and a small team, will become the heart and soul of City Built’s food offerings. What once was just an alter-ego feature item, will become a full creole-style pub menu with hand-helds, appetizers, and sides.

This new casual menu will be inspired by the multiple best sellers of past Li Grand Zombi feature items. There will be additions to the new menu never seen before out of the City Built kitchen, which will include more made-to-order food options.

From time to time, past menu items from City Built’s taco menu will make a celebrated return as a nod back to the OG. The well-loved entree features from Li Grand Zombi will be offered again as well. Expect to see regular menu changes and features instead of the typical seasonal menu.

Over the last two years, City Built has worked with many local food entrepreneurs to expand offerings in the taproom and help support its kitchen during large events. Li Grand Zombi was the first attempt to cultivate a creative option for Chef Kyle during Covid. This then led to collaborations with Street Chef Shaw, a West African-inspired food truck, which ultimately positioned Shaw to do a pop-up kitchen every Monday in the taproom.

City Built has brought in many food trucks over the past summers to help feed the masses during their summer concert series Friday Night Live, the Bridge Blast Anniversary party, and other on-site events. They hope to work with new food vendors in a pop-up capacity or possibly during non-traditional hours. 

Tag Us: @citybuiltbrewing @zombikitchen

About City Built Brewing Company 
Cities are where cultures collide. Ideas get remixed. Societal shifts start. Old traditions combine and become new trends. City Built Brewing Company strives to reflect that energy in their innovative beer recipes and methods. Visit them and learn how they make the strange familiar, and the familiar fresh and bold. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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