Inspired by Arlene’s magical frybread from the popular movie Smoke Signals comes a re-imagining of an irresistiblely flaky golden treat.
Founders and best friends, Gary Michel and Josh Judas have joined forces to bring Dene street tacos to Yellowknife. They will operate from the newly opened downtown bar The Underground, which is expected to open its kitchen in early November.
And they call themselves The Frybread Kings.
“We’re not just about fry bread, were more than that,” say the pair.
Michel and Judas met as teenagers when they were working at the Chateau Nova kitchen as dishwashers. Now decades later, the pair are prepared to go all in on their recent passion project.
“It tastes like home,” says Michel.
“I want to make people feel comfortable with that and seeing the look in their eyes when they’re just munching on the fragrant tacos that we cook for them, we know it’s good.”
“Yeah, it’s not just me,” says Michel. “It takes a tribe to run a kitchen.” (Photo courtesy of Gary Michel)
What started less than five months ago has garnered much attention from locals. Michel says he’s received a flood of emails to do more catering contracts since.
“I’m not in it for the money right now, just trying to build a good relationship with the community.”
Michel and his team expect certain challenges with the opening of the business like faulty kitchen equipment, waiting on permits and lack of access to fresh produce.
“But at the same time, it’s a learning curve,” he says, “and I feel like I’m ready for it.”
Michel even has a tattoo on his forearm dedicated to his love of fry bread.
“I never heard of fry bread when I was younger,” says Michel, “not until the movie (Smoke Signals) came out.” (Photo courtesy of Gary Michel)
“That’s what Yellowknife really needs right now, just something different,” says Michel.
On the menu, residents can expect pulled pork, birria and veggie tacos. Even gluten-free tortillas, enchiladas and build your own protein bowls.
Beyond fry bread, the duo’s catering business is looking to add traditional foods like muskox meat, arctic char and bison.
“I like to provide different things in there, (like) a little more traditional stuff from the north and put my little twist on it.”
In the future, Michel plans on expanding the Frybread King’s operation all over the territory. The next stop for Michel would be his home community of Łutselkʼe.
The Frybread Kings are hiring and encourage residents to send them a resume on their official Facebook page.
The Frybread King burger. (Photo courtesy of Gary Michel)
