Tony Guerrero
haze post
Melanie's Kitchen Asian Cuisine has expanded its presence in Hayes, offering a wide range of authentic, fresh Asian flavors.
Owner Melanie Elder opened her first restaurant at 321 Main Street in Quinter in 2014, and it's still open today.
Elder said people travel from nearby areas to sample her food, which inspired her to grow her business.
“The reason I moved to Hayes is because I know we already have a customer base,” Elder said. “We have a lot of customers who come from Hayes, but there's not a lot of authentic Asian food here.”
Elder's second and newest store, 2306 Vine Street in Hayes, welcomed the Hayes community on February 6th and celebrated its opening on Monday.
Lee Purdy, vice president of the Hays Chamber of Commerce, joined Elder and his family at the packed restaurant for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“My husband said I was crazy,” Elder said. “Running a business is hard. It's not for the faint of heart. It's hard work, but I enjoy serving the community.”
Elder's Hayes location offers unique menu items not available at her Quinter restaurant, such as beef broccoli and chicken curry.
For first-time visitors, we recommend the combination dinner of pancit, rice, fried egg, sesame chicken, and sweet and sour chicken.
Other menu items include spicy kung pao chicken, Mongolian beef, egg soup, and shrimp fried rice.
Elder also spends his time in the kitchen ensuring our customers have the best possible dining experience.
“I make sure the food prepared meets my standards,” she said. “All the dishes and different sauces we make here are homemade.”
After the ceremony, Elder's family and supporters enjoyed homemade food provided by relatives and indulged in sweets from Melanie's Kitchen.
When you enter Melanie's Kitchen, you will see a variety of illustrations on the tables and booths, giving you a glimpse into the Asian world.
“I wanted to show Filipino culture,” Elder said. “It's a conversation piece for people who come here.”
Elder said the Hays community has shown support and is grateful for its continued support as the kitchen expands.
“I want to thank the Hays community. I feel for the people who come here and support us. I appreciate everyone,” she said.
Melanie's Kitchen Asian Cuisine in Hayes is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Melanie's Kitchen Asian Cuisine in Quinter is open Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m.
You can follow Elders Hayes and Quinter locations on Facebook.
You can also watch the entire ribbon-cutting ceremony at Melanie's Kitchen in the Hayes Facebook Chamber.
