With Capitol Hill’s food and drink economy moving toward a full reopening, new opportunities — and new flavors — are emerging including a concept shaped by the Seattle food and drink pop-up scene ready to pony up and join the neighborhood with its first restaurant space.

Karachi Cowboys and its Pakistani soul food creations is ready to strap in and ride it out on 12th Ave. Natural wine shop Glinda will make room but is sticking around to be part of the new project.

Nasir Zubair says the spirit of Karachi Cowboys is born of his life growing up in Texas in a Pakistani home filled with Desi flavors and the African American food and drink culture of his mixed family.

“We take liberties, pick from here and there. We pick from all over India and Pakistan,” Zubair said.

Karachi Cowboys was started with that mix in mind and more of a BBQ bent with its first pop-ups in 2019. After a pop-up tour through the years and the pandemic, Karachi Cowboys has been making Friday nights at 12th Ave’s Glinda a regular thing that is now transforming into a soft launch for the restaurant. CHS reported here on Kari Brunson’s decision to close Juicebox Cafe during the pandemic and transition to the new natural wine shop collaboration with Campbell Scarborough. Karachi Cowboys is now set to make its home in the small cafe space in the Ballou Wright Building neighboring Northwest Film Forum on 12th Ave between Pine and Pike with Glinda staying on as an in-house bottle shop.

Settling in on 12th Ave, Zubair says the name and spirit will remain the same but that Cowboys has moved on to the “healthier side of things” with less red meat, and more vegetarian dishes, with some smoke flavors “here and there.”

Zubair’s crowd favorite is a good example. The Aloo Slider features two perfect potato patties on soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls, with a house tamarind BBQ sauce and slaw. Giddy up.

Zubair, a graphic designer turned chef says he got his food and drink start just a few blocks up 12th at Stumptown, and has also worked at Rachel’s Ginger Beer, London Plane, and Mamnoon on his path to becoming an owner. Karachi Cowboys is also shaped by Zubair’s wife Nicole Greenwald, a psychotherapist who describes her role helping the growing food and drink business as “hype woman, roadie, strategist, and taste tester.”

With its first brick and mortar restaurant, Karachi Cowboys is planning some cosmetic changes to make the space “more with our vibe,” but Zubair said the turnaround should be relatively short with plans to be open in June. To get there, Karachi Cowboys is crowdfunding its start-up:

Karachi Cowboys will be a family-friendly, neighborhood establishment, serving thoughtful, delicious Indian and Pakistani inspired food. Now with space to put down roots (and a walk-in refrigerator!) we are excited to expand our menu to feature fresh salads and vegetable forward bowls, sweets (y’all have been askin’), a more robust line up of hot and cold beverages, and a new wine, beer, and cocktail program (!!!!). We are also excited to launch a pantry and cold case line for y’all to take and enjoy at home. Our space seats 24 inside (when it’s safe to do so) and 8-ish outside on the sidewalk patio and we plan to be open for lunch and dinner to start. Our heart is to be a part of the fabric of this neighborhood and to create community through good food and conversation.

In the meantime, you can visit on Friday nights as the Karachi Cowboys pop-up phase rides off into the sunset.

Karachi Cowboys is planned to open in June at 1517 12th Ave. You can learn more at karachicowboys.com.

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