Caribbean-Latin American restaurant Fuego opens in former Hi-Life location

There’s a new venture in the old firehouse at 5425 Russell Ave NW: Caribbean-Latin American restaurant and nightclub—Fuego Restaurant and Lounge—opened over the weekend.

Fuego owners Jose and Sonia Paulino also run Fuego Nightclub in Tacoma and Las Palmas Restaurant in SeaTac, which has been open since 2008.

The Paulinos are Salvadoran-Dominican. According to a post on Instagram, they moved to the Pacific Northwest from the East Coast in the early 2000s, “bringing with them a rich culinary heritage and a passion for sharing their cultural roots.” They both have a history of working in restaurants, which they say “fueled their passion for creating a space that highlighted the Latin community in Washington.”

Fuego in Ballard will have a similar menu to that of Las Palmas in SeaTac—”pupusas, tacos, and fresh meals,” according to an Instagram post.

Fuego chef Rodrigo Rodriguez says the menu at Fuego in Ballard is a fusion of tropical and Caribbean flavors combined with Mexican cuisine. He says to expect Dominican, Puerto Rican, and contemporary Central American homemade meals. They’ll also serve Caribbean-Latin American brunch on weekends.

The location has had an array of different businesses since Hi-Life closed in 2019 and turned into a short-lived Italian restaurant called Valentinetti’s, which was only open for a few months before it closed in early 2020.

Station 18 opened in 2021, and operated in the space until late 2023, when the owners closed it down and put it up for sale.

Fuego’s restaurant hours are Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The nightclub hours are 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Photo: Google Maps Image Capture June 2021