The Dogfather brings hot dog speakeasy to Tri-Cities kitchen forgotten for 30 years
The Dogfather is bringing its hot dog magic to a forgotten kitchen in downtown Kennewick.
Owners Malinda Ralston and her fiance, Troy Collins, intend to open a speakeasy hot dog, hamburger and milkshake stop the first week of December in a long-forgotten space at 313 W. Kennewick Ave.
To start, they will serve food for pick up or delivery. When the weather warms up, customers will be able to savor their meals in the cozy courtyard next to the building.
The kitchen last operated as Betty’s Cafe and sat unused for nearly 30 years. Most of the equipment was still in place and worked. They’re finalizing work to bring it up to modern codes.
Ralston and Collins established The Dogfather in 2020 as a cart and later added a 30-foot food truck. Health issues forced them to slow down about a year ago.
They sold the truck to Collins’ daughter, who converted it into Hibachi Explosion, now a staple at the food truck pod in the Bella’s Furniture parking lot on West Clearwater Avenue.
Ralston and Collins retained the original Dogfather cart — which long operated in the parking lot of the Southridge Petco. They began looking for a physical restaurant space to house the business.
There’s a shortage of physical restaurant space that is affordable and suited to their needs in the Tri-Cities, the couple said.
They even asked about operating at Red Mountain Kitchen, the downtown Kennewick commercial kitchen where they are a commissary tenant. Red Mountain couldn’t accommodate them, but it suggested the check out the unused kitchen at the old Betty’s Cafe spot down the street.
Like speakeasies of yore, the narrow kitchen is tucked behind public-facing retail shop. Downtown Mercantile sells antiques, gems, food, jewelry and more, with a door connecting it to the kitchen.
Ralston and Collins were startled at what they found — a small commercial kitchen with a grill, vent hood, sinks and other equipment still in place.
Everyone, including building officials, seemed to have forgotten the tiny kitchen existed.
Nothing had been moved since Betty’s Cafe closed. The couple found most of the gear could be restored to working condition at minimal cost. They signed a lease.
The kitchen has no sit-down space, but it is next to a small courtyard.
They moved the cart from Petco to the parking lot behind the courtyard and have been working to build their presence in downtown for several months.
Once the speakeasy is up and running, the cart will mobilize again for special events and even visits to its old spot at Southridge.
“The Dogfather” part of the name is staying, but the couple are considering dropping the tagline, “Hotdogs to Die For” in favor of one that emphasizes its speakeasy vibe.
The menu is expanding, but the basic lineup includes the namesake Dogfather hot dog, which is smothered in mac and cheese and topped with bacon; the Al Capone, made with cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, bacon and crispy onions; and the Bugsy, made with cheddar cheese, teriyaki mayo, bacon and peach mango salsa. T
The menu also features German sausage chicken sandwiches and build-your-own hot dogs.
Ralston said she’s looking forward to putting the vintage milkshake machine to work making seasonal fruit milkshakes.
Business hours will be 11 a.m.-6 p.m., with extended hours in the summer. The Dogfather is closed Sunday and Monday. Follow its progress on Facebook, facebook.com/dogfatherhotdogcart and on Instagram nstagram.com/thedogfatherhotdog/?hl=en
Tumbleweeds heads to West Richland
Tumbleweeds Mexican Flair is opening a second location.
The Richland restaurant is expanding to 4390 W. Van Giesen St. in West Richland, the space about to be vacated by The Chicken Shack.
Tumbleweeds owner Keith Moon said West Richland will open by Feb. 1 and will have 8-10 employees. He intends to serve beer and wine and hold concerts and other special events.
As part of the transition, Tumbleweeds is redesigning the menu for both locations. There is no drive-thru, he said. The original Tumbleweeds is at 894 Stevens Drive in central Richland.
Follow its progress on Facebook at facebook.com/tumbleweedsmexicanflair
The Novel turns a page
The Novel Coffee, Tea and Toast announced that it is “coming soon” to a new location on Richland’s main drag.
The shop’s new digs at 950 George Washington Way, space formerly occupied by Quizno’s and later, Showtime Subs.
Tri-City Herald readers named Novel Coffee their second favorite coffee shop in an unscientific 2022 poll, drawing 25,700 votes or 23% of the 120,000 cast. (Raan Coffee in Pasco was first, Burlesque Brew in Kennewick was third.)
Follow its progress on Instagram at instagram.com/novelcoffeeteas/
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