If you’re a foodie, you’ve probably wandered deep outside the limits of the Waterloo bubble and into Cambridge for this hot bite: sushi burritos and bowls. You heard that right and they are coming full force with two new locations.
Owner and operator Aaron Moir, along with his wife, are bringing Hungry Ninja out to both Waterloo and Guelph this month and should be operating shortly after Labour Day weekend.
Growing up in Cambridge, with family and friends attending Laurier, Moir is no stranger to the glitz and glam of student living.
“I’ve puked on Ezra just like everybody else, so I’m quite familiar,” he said.
He gets it and hopes students get Hungry Ninja in return.
Moir understands the student mindset of wanting quality food, but at a reasonable price. Offering a 10 per cent discount to students in-store, Hungry Ninja food ranges from $10-$13.
“It’s a little bit on the upside of things which I know doesn’t necessarily suit students,” stated Moir, however the restaurant plans to release a new line of cheaper food options.
Moier’s wife was a retail manager for Subway franchises, so it was easy to transfer the knowledge over to Hungry Ninja as the concept is very similar. Customers choose from either a bowl or burrito and move through different toppings and types of protein.
The first location, in Cambridge, opened only a few months back in mid-May, but the duo are already investing their returns in the ever growing student populations.
“[Cambridge] has gone over very well, so we wanted to get into Waterloo and Guelph because of the student factor, plus it’s a healthy alternative.”
With an abundance of all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants in the area, it should be exciting to see what kind of edge Hungry Ninja can bring.
“Its all about the sauce. We have eight signature sauces, not just your typical soy sauce,” Moir said.
For vegans, sauce can be a deal breaker, however Aaron assures that the restaurant provides many vegan and vegetarian options.
Local buzz has already gotten the owners thinking about creative ways to get the word out to students, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for creative and spontaneous promotions this month.
Restaurants with unique food options always seem to do well in the Laurier area, so it will be interesting to see how Hungry Ninja’s approach to Asian cuisine goes with Laurier students.