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By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Dudley Allen was inspired by his mother’s cooking when he was growing up.
That inspiration, along with his and wife Shevonie Allen’s love of people, are what motivate their restaurant Piña & Coconut.
The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting for the business at 803 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, on Wednesday, June 5.
Piña & Coconut opened March 13. The restaurant serves food which harkens to the Allens’ Nicaraguan heritage as well as other parts of Central America and Latin America.
Shevonie said that with growing cultural diversity in Warsaw, the couple wanted “to provide options” catering to different tastes.
The menu includes jerk chicken, Caribbean chicken, curry chicken, oxtails, jerk steak, spicy Caribbean shrimp, Alajillo shrimp and red snapper or Nica fish. Sides include cassava, rice, beans and plantains.
“We have a lot of natural fresh drinks that we make right on site,” Shevonie added. “Nothing is prepared beforehand … It’s prepared right in front of your eyes.”
She said people are welcome to request vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options.
Dudley said he pays attention to what customers like and don’t like, adjusting accordingly.
“He’s a really good cook,” said Shevonie. “He’s good at what he does, and he brings passion to the table.”
Shevonie hopes people feel like they are in part of Latin America when they are in the restaurant.
“We provide that loving friendly service that you would get when you visit a Caribbean island or Central America,” said Shevonie. “So that connection that we make with people, that makes our service kind of powerful because you walk in and you just get that amazing vibe as if you’re home. You’re visiting family.”
“Food brings unity sometimes. When you’re hungry, there’s no black and white,” said Dudley.
People may stop by the restaurant from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays.
