Savory Stark: Fizzlestix gets creative with pierogi tacos, gummi margaritas, fry toppings
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Jeff Buynak is opening Fizzlestix Kitchen + Bar early next month at 3242 Lincoln Way E in Perry Township. The restaurant features an inventive menu, including s'mores-topped French fires, chicken-and-waffle tacos and city-themed burgers, as well as the "Sasquatch Burger."
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French fries topped with s'mores. Pierogi tacos. Polish boy burgers featuring grilled kielbasa in tribute to Cleveland. A Sasquatch burger served between two grilled cheese sandwiches. And gummi margaritas.
Even that quick rant of customized menu offerings can't do justice to the entire repertoire at the new Fizzlestix Kitchen + Bar restaurant at 3242 Lincoln Way E in Perry Township.
After working for years in various capacities in the restaurant industry, Jeff Buynak said the eclectic and unusual recipes will be the signature of his family-oriented eatery when it opens May 3.
The 49-year-old Buynak's restaurant work began as a 16-year-old dishwasher.
Later he moved his way up from bartender to supervisor to general manager and district manager for Damon's Grill.
“That is kind of where I learned everything about restaurants, as well as how to manage them and profit and loss,” said Buynak, a Green High School graduate and Jackson Township resident. “And I really got a good foundation for restaurant experience doing that.”
Fizzlestix chef Mark Williams displays the "Polish Boy Burger" and Mexican street corn-loaded fries. Williams will be serving those and many other dishes starting May 3 at 3242 Lincoln Way E in Perry Township.
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Designing the menu
Now he's fulfilling his dream of owning a restaurant with his Fizzlestix venture, located near Lew's Tavern.
"We have a chef, Mark Williams, who's helped me design the menu," said Buynak, whose wife, Darci Buynak, is a Washington High School graduate. "This has been just thoughts I've had for 10 to 15 years of thinking, 'Ok, I want to open a restaurant, what can I do?'"
One of Fizzlestix's signature drinks is the "Blue Lagoon Goblet," served with or without alcohol. The new restaurant opens May 3 at 3242 Lincoln Way E in Perry Township.
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'Made-from-scratch' pierogis
Too many hours to count have gone into testing the menu, he said. Some recipes worked ... and others were scrapped after the taste didn't match what Buynak had envisioned.
Burgers were inspired by different cities across the country, including the "Big Easy Muffuletta" burger ($11.99) honoring Louisiana with pastrami, ham, mozzarella and other ingredients.
Tacos also aren't limited to meat and traditional toppings.
"My mom is from Yugoslavia, so pierogis were a staple in our household," Buynak said. "We wanted to have pierogis on the menu but I thought ... how can we create something that's still a pierogi but with a twist on it."
So kielbasa, cheddar mashed potatoes and grilled onions will be stuffed inside a made-from-scratch pierogi, he explained.
Burger contest for schools
Around a dozen "Fizzle Fry" toppings are on the menu, including a variety featuring housemade macaroni and cheese, bacon pieces and flaming-hot bread crumbs ($3.29) while the s'mores fry is smothered with chocolate sauce, marshmallow and topped with graham cracker crumbs ($3.29).
More traditional fare includes a turkey club, chicken wrap, chicken parmesan sandwich, brisket sandwich and corn tortilla tacos served with marinated beef ($8.99); other items include a grilled lamb sandwich, onion fritters, deep-fried potato skins and fettuccine Alfredo ($14.99).
Local themes also will be on the menu, including the "Panther Burger" and "Polar Bear" burger in recognition of Perry and Jackson high schools, respectively.
"We're going to probably have a contest for the local schools once we get going ... where they can design and create their own burger," Buynak said.
Drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, also will be featured, including goblets served with candy and dry ice.
We're trying to create this atmosphere of a fun casual place," he said. "I think it will be a good spot where people can go and families can go to socialize and have some good food and have some laughs."