Floating all boats

One community-minded couple’s invitation to ride the tide

In the Spring of 2021 when Lela and Ryan Tunnell considered opening a business in the space at 119 Wall St., formerly occupied by Flora Roja and then by Wall Street Eats, they looked around and saw something beyond a way to make a living for themselves and baby, Kenneth.

Lela grew up in Bentonville and had traveled and worked in several states while exploring her interests in agriculture and food, among other things. In 2012 she met husband, Ryan, in Omaha, Neb. They married on the summer solstice of 2014 and moved to Eureka springs in 2018. Baby Kenneth came along shortly after the couple’s 7^th  anniversary – just after they had begun their new venture.

 “We truly believe in the old adage, ‘A rising tide floats all boats,’” Lela said. “For one thing, we wanted to open a business that we felt was truly needed in Eureka Springs and we also wanted to offer a multi-use facility to the community. The building here was perfect for both.”

They opened Ray’s Burritos in April 2021 after pondering several options including a bike shop. ‘Bikes and Burritos,’ Lela laughed.

Ryan has corporate restaurant training and worked as a manager for Jimmy John’s in Iowa. He and Lela both have a zeal for working toward a sustainable planet, With Ryan’s additional background in landscaping and nursery, and Lela’s culinary education (she holds a Pastry Certificate), Ray’s Burritos is, as Lela said, a match made in heaven.

The decision to serve California-style breakfast and lunch burritos and bowls as the menu mainstay came from Lela and Ryan’s experience trying to grab breakfast on their way to former jobs at Bear Creek Nursery. “McDonald’s was the only option and often the line was so long we would just have to skip it,” Lela said. “There was just no option for fast and nutritious as well.”

So, the couple decided to fill the gap. “We know all about being on-the-go. Our goal is to provide a healthy, convenient, affordable mobile option alongside Eureka’s many great eateries. Our slogan is ’Wholesome. Fast. All Wrapped Up,’” Lela said.

 Breakfast and lunch orders can be given inside, outside at the window and by phone for pickup at the window or curbside delivery. Currently there is no dine-in option.

The facility has a full commercial kitchen on the lower level and was used by Tabouli &Thyme until recently. The space is now available for anyone needing a commercial kitchen for canning or preparing food for sale, to use as a teaching kitchen for cooking classes, or potentially as a home for another food service business.

Floating all boats is also Lela’s mantra for the facility’s community room. “So much work and love has gone into this building, it would be shameful not share it with the community.”

In December, Ray’s hosted a holiday bazaar which was open to the makers in town. Currently there’s a yoga class each Tuesday and Thursday from 9 – 10 a.m. and a Family Craft Night every Sunday from 3 – 5 p.m. “We’re always seeking new teachers, classes and workshops. Anyone who has an idea to share or gathering to host; the room is available for a very reasonable fee,” Lela said.

A free women’s clothing exchange was held this week, and a men’s clothing exchange will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 and will be a come-and-go event on Wednesday until 2 p.m. There are also plans for a children’s clothing exchange and other events which will be posted on the Ray’s Burritos Facebook page. Lela  envisions hosting rummage sales, a quarterly craft fair and retail space for local goods, eggs, and essentials. There are also plans to build a free box and small food pantry. 

Meanwhile, don’t let the name Ray’s Burritos fool you. There is no Ray. The name is an homage to Ryan’s father, whose middle name was Ray, and to his eight-month-old son Kenneth, whose middle name is also Ray.

Ray’s eccentric and hugely satisfying creations include a build your own burrito or bowl, weekly vegetarian specials (Mondays) and a weekly vegan special (Wednesdays). Homemade seasonal soups warm up the winter along with the daily surprise assortment of house made pastries, coffee, espresso drinks, a house chai, golden milk, a golden chai, specialty drinks, teas, and sodas.

“We are a small batch-and-from-scratch kitchen with a heavy emphasis on sustainability. Buying local and organic is always our first choice and we do so whenever possible. We compost almost all food waste and a heavy portion feeds our chickens at home. Our rice comes from a regenerative-agriculture-based farm in Atkins, Ark. Our packaging is either recyclable or compostable. We really want to contribute to a healthy community, with a little decadence here and there,” Lela said. 

Ray’s Burritos is open Saturday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.  See daily specials on Facebook or call (479) 479-363-6767.