Sept. 26, 2024

It likely will be a first day to remember for Stir Fry Express, which opens Friday in The Empire Mall food court.

Owner Semir Secic is planning to offer free meals from noon to 3 p.m. in celebration of the opening.

The restaurant is in the food court space that most recently was Jacky’s. Secic also has locations for the restaurant in St. Cloud and Duluth, Minnesota.

The concept is self-serve, with customers weighing their containers at the end.

For three hours on Friday, though, fill your container for free with entrees such as chicken teriyaki, orange chicken and beef stir-fry, plus rice, lo mein, egg rolls and spring rolls.

An example of Secic’s restaurant in another market. 

“The whole nine yards,” Secic said. “The good thing is it is self-serve, so our job is to cook it and keep it clean.”

He has done similar free openings before and expects it’ll draw a big crowd. There’s a limit of one free container per person.

“We want to get as many people as possible to come and try and spread the word,” Secic said.

“So they know there’s something new in the food court. It’s going to be the full menu. Just go ahead and dish up what you want. You get a box, no strings attached, and you’re on your way.”

He said that once diners try the meals, they’ll be back.

“It’s going to cost me a lot of money,” Secic said with a laugh. “But I want to make it later.”

He’ll also be back to The Empire Mall with a second concept opening early next year — a create-your-own Mexican entree concept called El Burrito featuring burritos, bowls, tacos and quesadillas.