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LYNDEN, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – On the corner of Hannegan and E. Pole Road, the aroma of fresh ingredients and spices fill the air.
Inside, you’ll find Chef Eduardo Diego and his wife Yesenia Pulido running a local eatery in Lynden, with the help of their three children. The family is eager to welcome all who set foot through their door and ensure that they leave feeling happy and full.
Infusion Cuisine remains open after 10 years of working hard to serve Whatcom County residents who have a love of quality Mexican, Italian and Asian dishes.
Co-owners Diego and Pulido moved to the area from San Diego in 2012, after a friend told Diego he should bring his culinary skills to Bellingham and help open a new restaurant. Diego and Pulido had talked of opening a restaurant for some time but could not afford to in California. So, the eager pair packed up their things and traveled north to pursue their dream.
Diego and Pulido assisted in the opening of Three Flavors Kitchen in Nooksack, and though things looked promising, it ended up not working out for the two to stay with the business. After the unsuccessful venture, the couple began saving their pennies and agreed to not give up on their dream of opening a restaurant. However, this task proved strenuous and difficult financially.
“[The first failure] is not going to stop us, we’re just going to move on and work hard,” Pulido said. “The dream was still there.”
With little to no money, Diego and Pulido almost became homeless and had to turn to the Opportunity Council for help. They were connected with Interfaith Coalition and were connected to the help they needed to keep going.
Diego worked at Giuseppe’s and Pulido at TJ Maxx as the pair awaited the opportunity to rent out a dining space. Six months after leaving the first restaurant, a customer from Three Flavors Kitchen reached out to them and suggested a space open on Hannegan Road in Lynden. Pulido drove there as soon as she had the chance and alerted her husband. The couple determined that the space was the perfect spot to open the restaurant they had dreamed of.
“At first it was a huge challenge,” Pulido said. “The furniture was cheap and ripping, we spent $20 on tables and $5 on chairs. All of the dishes were from my job at TJ Maxx.”
Somedays they only had one or two tables to serve, just making enough to afford the location’s rent. Their family worked, ate and spent countless hours at the restaurant hoping to see business take off.
“People told us ‘You guys aren’t going to make it, nobody lasts in this location,’ and that we were wasting our time. But we were resilient because we knew that the food was good.” – Yesenia Pulido
Though the quality of atmosphere was constricted by a small budget, the food did not disappoint. Infusion Cuisine’s customer base steadily grew, despite doubts regarding whether the location would put the business under. Before Diego and Pulido knew it, they had a community of supportive customers and friends.
Through the pandemic, the business experienced resounding support from their customers. Diego and Pulido were determined to use the support they had to give back to those in need and spent their time making meals for individuals facing food insecurity in Whatcom County. Their culinary connection to the community kept themselves and others afloat through that unfavorable period.
As soon as they had the money, the couple renovated Infusion Cuisine, and the change made all the difference. Before they knew it, they were packed every weekend. By the end of 2021, Diego and Pulido reaped the benefits of their hard work and were able to expand the space, opening a second side of the restaurant.
In order to continue providing high quality service and food, the restaurant mainly takes reservations, especially near busy holidays. Customers are encouraged to call in advance to ensure that they are accommodated to accordingly.
Chef Diego creates new menu items each weekend and the menu is limited to several specific specials for holidays. The regular menu features a variation of appetizers, salads and entrees with items ranging from the low $10 to high $20’s in price. One thing Pulido and Diego guarantee is that the food will always be hot and taste just as good as the last time a customer ordered it.
Some of the most popular dishes include the Kung Pao Chicken, Carne Asada and Chicken Piccata. The restaurant also serves a wide range of wine and local beer.
Pulido and Diego are thankful to have experienced such resounding support from the Whatcom County community. With three children who all work with them at the restaurant, they see themselves as truly a mom & pop establishment. However, they recognize that their success is lucky and does not happen to everyone.
“It is very important for the community to be aware that small restaurants are disappearing,” Pulido explained. “Support your favorite restaurant, restaurant owners have their struggles too.”
Infusion Cuisine plans to continue providing hot and delicious meals to their customers in Lynden and all over Whatcom County. With Valentine’s Day steadily approaching, they are already filling reservations and planning special menu items for Feb. 14. Surf and Turf, Chicken Marsala and Ribeye Steak will all be available on the menu for their Valentine’s Day dinner.
Infusion Cuisine is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Hannegan Road in Lynden. To make a reservation call (360) 778-1726 or visit their website for more information.
We are Whatcom is a weekly column featuring Whatcom County residents making a positive impact on the community. To submit a Whatcom County resident to be featured, click here.