PASCO, Wash. – Authentic Afghan cuisine is now available in the Tri-Cities, with the grand opening of “Tri-Cities Afghan Food” at the Pasco Specialty Kitchen. This marks a significant milestone for the owners, Ghulam Mirza Mohammad and his wife, who have long dreamed of sharing their culture through food.
Mirza Mohammad expressed his excitement about this new opportunity.
“It’s been a dream of mine to open a restaurant for a long time. And this might not be a restaurant, but it’s a start-up. So, we will see where it goes from here,” Mirza Mohammad said.
Mirza Mohammad says this is the first Afghan food vendor in the area and is excited to introduce the Tri-Cities community to Afghan cuisine.
Jessica Christensen, a community member attending the grand opening, shared her curiosity.
“I love to try different kinds of food. I’ve never had Afghan food, so I’m super excited to come and try something new,” Christensen said.
The journey to opening this food vendor was not easy for Mohammad and his wife. They moved to the United States in 2002 to escape the conflict in Afghanistan, with the help of World Relief, transitioning from Afghanistan to Pakistan, and finally to the Tri-Cities. They were just 14 years old at the time.
“I did not know any English when I come here first, you know, so it’s been kind of tough in the beginning. But it’s good. It’s good now,” Mirza Mohammad said.
After graduating from Kennewick High School, Mirza Mohammad began working in the food industry. Despite facing numerous challenges, he remains committed to achieving his American dream.
“We’ve been through it all. You know, it’s been my dream of mine to go back home, but I can’t. It’s been, like almost 30 years,” Mirza Mohammad said. “So I’ve been through all the war that was going on like 20 or 30 years ago.”
Mirza Mohammad still wants to open a full restaurant in the future.
“Yes, of course, we will look somewhere else to open like a restaurant so people can come and see and enjoy the food the way it’s supposed to be,” Mirza Mohammad said.
Currently, Tri-Cities Afghan Food offers takeout orders only at the Pasco Specialty Kitchen. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
