Smooth Salad Maker Garden Monsters is Going Brick and Mortar

SE Division salad cart Garden Monsters is upsizing, and getting itself a permanent building in the Hollywood district this spring.

Owner Kyle Hulings tells Eater that after five years in business as a cart, it was time to acquire some more space — and that space is to be on NE Sandy at 40th Avenue, in part of the former Pono Farm, which closed last summer.

“I think it’s going to make my life a lot easier in certain way. We’ve been very successful in the cart, especially in summer and we don’t have have room to prep.”

“We’re going through 40-45 pound cases of romaine each week…it’s going to transform things for me, it’s just a win win win win win,” says Hulings.

Hulings says the new location won’t shake up the menu substantially — he’ll stick with the wide-ranging salads-for-everyone approach (including vegans, gluten-free eaters, and beyond), with a handful of new sides, dressings, and salads. All the classics, from the cobb to club salad will stick around. It’ll also make for faster service — a bonus, since the Hollywood location is going to be more of a grab-and-go affair (although it will have around 15 to 20 seats).

Hulings will keep the existing cart on SE Division open, too, and this isn’t even his only expansion plan. Once the new salad slinging destination is open, there’s a plan to get into catering. He also has two food carts that aren’t currently being used, and plans to open them up at a later stage.

• Garden Monsters [Official]