Ya'át'ééh (Hello)

My name is Allen Salway (@lilnativeboy)— born and raised in the Southwest, growing up between New Mexico and Arizona, but shaped deeply by Tucson. I graduated from Tucson High, just steps away from 4th Ave, and for most of my life, I’ve never seen a true Native-owned food space downtown. On our own homelands, we’re often treated like last-minute guests instead of the original caretakers. This restaurant is a chance to finally create the Native community space I wish existed when I was growing up.

***Photo is of my birthday dinner in 2022 at Lemongrass***

For the last five years, I’ve been a regular at Lemongrass, a small Nepalese restaurant on 4th Ave led by Dr. Ojha. His food has been a comfort to me for years — a grounding place I always came back to. Now, Dr. Ojha is retiring and has offered me the chance to take over his space. Lemongrass already has a loyal customer base, a fully equipped kitchen, and deep community roots.

***LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION BY DR OJHA TO ME***

I want to honor Lemongrass and Dr. Ojha by keeping his recipes exactly as they are. His cooking shaped the heart of this restaurant, and it will continue to be part of its future.

At the same time, this is an opportunity to build something new: the only Native-owned restaurant, café, and bakery on 4th Ave, and the only Native-owned space in downtown Tucson.

A place where Native and Nepalese traditions stand side by side, rooted in love, land, and community. We’ll use as many local and Native-grown ingredients as possible, uplift Native farmers and community gardens, and build a menu that reflects both homelands and shared histories.

I’ll be running the kitchen with my mom, my family, and my dear friend Kyra, who is leaving her job to help build this dream from the ground up. As we take on this huge transition, part of the funds will help cover one month of necessary living expenses while we prepare the space, complete upgrades, and get fully operational.

We’ll also be the ONLY LATE NIGHT FRY BREAD STAND on the Historic and lively 4th Ave here in Tucson, Arizona. Serving fry bread, Navajo tea + lemonade, and Native comfort foods to students, locals, and everyone in between Downtown and the University of Arizona!

But this restaurant is more than delicous food.

10% of all profits will go directly to Community Care Tucson, a local mutual aid organization supporting our unhoused relatives — many of whom are Native peoples of these very lands.

This will be a community space. A place to gather, learn, rest, eat, and share in something bigger than ourselves. We plan to host cooking classes with Native chefs and aunties, workshops led by Native creators, ticketed community events, youth gatherings, and moments that strengthen culture, connection, and belonging.

Here’s the financial breakdown:

-$15,000 to take over the restaurant

-$15,000 to secure the lease with six months of rent

-$5,000 taxes and fees

-$5,000 Covering living expenses for both Kyra and I for one month

In total, I am trying to raise $40,000 to bring this space to life.

I Allen Salway will be overseeing the withdrawal of funds into my personal bank account AND I am responsible for the management of the funds and exactly how funds will be used in the breakdown given above.

If you’ve followed my work, supported my writing, shared my posts, or believed in my community work — I’m humbly asking for your support. This isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a chance to build stability for my family, create jobs for Native people, honor the food that raised me, and open a Native-owned community space in the heart of Tucson.

HERE IS A UPDATED MENU PREVIEW OF WHATS TO COME!

Ahéhee' (Thank you) for helping a Native families dream come true!

+Follow @lemongrasstucson on IG for the latest updates!

(Each follow and donation is proof to the landlord that this is a want from the community and helps bring this dream into a reality)

***Donations will be accepted on GoFundMe ONLY. If unable to donate, sharing this post and following us helps just as much!***