WALLA WALLA, Wash.-The Bonfire was voted one of America’s Best Restaurants and was recently featured on “America’s Best Restaurants Road Show” in September.
The owner and founder of The Bonfire Kelly Siner, says he never saw himself being on a show for his restaurant.
“This is just crazy,” says Siner. “I never thought I’d be here with you guys talking about making food.”
Siner says the restaurant started as a food truck he built with his own hands after learning to weld from YouTube videos. The original staff of the food truck are his wife, oldest son and himself.
After three years of owning and operating a food truck and an outdoor kitchen, sometimes under a pop-up tent during winter, Siner opened The Bonfire’s first brick and mortar spot in early 2024.
While Siner says he has come a long way, he feels the journey is just beginning for his family-run restaurant.
You can catch the full interview with Siner about his journey to becoming a successful restaurant owner below.
Siner is always exploring with new menu items and combinations to keep customers on their toes and wondering what is next. While visiting him in Walla Walla, he showed me how to make two of the menu favorites.
Siner is educated in fine dining and Italian cuisine, but says barbecuing is his passion, and that passion led to the creation of the Bonfire.
You can watch Siner and I cook two popular sandwiches below.
