MONROE — Chicago natives Ricky and Sonya Amack have opened what they call a healthier fast food restaurant. Amack’s kitchen is located just off 8th Street in the Highlander Mall near the Red Apple, 751 10th Ave Court, Monroe. The kitchen is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday through Friday and is closed Saturdays. 

They started the restaurant as a result of their daughter’s diagnosis with type one diabetes at the age of four, and in part of Ricky’s father’s death due to cirrhosis of the liver. After these events, the Amack’s learned how to cook healthy food, and due to being from Chicago, they moved here to find a lack of healthy food options.

“(It was a) you are what you eat, kind of a deal. So we just want to give healthier food, you know. Fast food is so unhealthy. It’s filled with unhealthy sugars and fats and salts and all that stuff,” said Ricky. 

Ricky Amack described the restaurant as “A passion, a dream of my wife and I’s for many years. We just now feel confident enough to bring it forward.” 

The Amacks are hopeful to have delivery eventually, but as of right now they do not have a delivery option as they would not like to pass an extra cost onto the community. They plan to hire a driver if business keeps up. 

The restaurant makes rice bowls and salads with “a global flair,” Ricky said. 

They would like to expand their menu eventually. Everything is made in the restaurant. All of the ingredients are fresh, the only thing that is not fresh is frozen corn.

“This is just the food we cook at home,” Ricky said.