CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- He came to the United States from India 13 years ago having never before seen an avocado. Now, 34-year-old Krunal Patel owns Avocado Theory, an avocado-themed restaurant in Tinley Park.
“We have avocado toast to avocado cheesecake. Avocado cheesecake is to die for,” said Kru Patel.
He said one person ordered one of the cheesecakes for Thanksgiving.
Patel was working in the produce section of a supermarket a couple of years ago when he noticed the rush for guacamole on Super Bowl Sunday. It got him to thinking about how popular avocados are and he started researching ways to use it in different dishes.
“After I get off of work, I was doing Uber and Lyft. While doing Uber and Lyft, I was listening to entrepreneur books and trying to learn what makes big businesses successful.”
He started making his own brand of guacamole and selling it at farmer’s markets with the intention of eventually starting an avocado-themed restaurant.
“I always have back of my mind I want to do something different," he said.
Patel was able to do that by first starting a delivery company and obtaining a contract to do work for Amazon.
“Last year we did $7 million. This year, we’re doing well, so that allowed me to build my dream," he said.
As for his restaurant, customers like Maggie Morris approve.
“I got the chicken avocado panini. It’s delicious and it’s huge," she said.
Kru Patel said he and others spent 10,000 hours working on putting together a menu that also includes avocado fries with spicy aioli, avocado smoked salmon dill toast, avocado mango smoothies, avocado chicken curry and even, avocado ice cream.
Patel said he plans to soon open an Avocado Theory Express location on 88th Avenue in Tinley Park, more of a “grab-n-go”-type place. He eventually wants to franchise his restaurant concept.
Avocado Theory, located at 17302 S. Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park, is Made in Chicago.
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