Meet Sa’Marcus Palmer | Owner and Head Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sa’Marcus Palmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sa’Marcus, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
There were a couple of things that ran through my mind constantly as I thought about how and why I wanted to start my own business. Honestly as cliché as it sounds, I knew I had to do something I loved, that I would never get tired of and would always keep my interest. At that point in my life I already knew I had a deep passion for cooking and after working so hard for other restaurants and companies around Dallas I definitely knew I could do it for myself. I just had to come up with something I would love to cook anytime and mix it with something else that I really enjoy and I’ve always loved watching Anime. So I thought I would combine those two things by mixing my southern style of cooking with some traditional Japanese cooking techniques and ANIMUNCHIEZ was born. Another thing that ran through mind was I wanted to financially build and have something I could pass down to my kids one day so they don’t have to work as hard as I did and go through the same struggles I had to. I wanted to build generational wealth and a foundation they could confidently stand on until they find what inspires them in life and pursue it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Animunchiez is A Japanese/Southern Fusion Eatery! It’s a place dedicated to all my fellow Anime fans, cosplayers, gamers, blerds, nerds and more! Come enjoy a southern twist on traditional, beautifully cooked Japanese Dishes named and inspired by ACTUAL ANIME. Like Naruto’s Ichiraku Ramen, Tanjiro Tacos, Deku’s homemade Katsudon, Soma’s Chaplin steak and more. I wanted to come up with a food concept that no one else was really doing. Yeah, a lot of places have Ramen or Fried Rice but not the the way I present it. its all about PRESENTATION. I have a menu that changes seasonally and all dishes are cooked to order. Being a Hebrew Israelite, All of the Dishes that I prepare are biblically clean, meaning I dont cook any pork or shellfish. One of the hardest things to do is find a substitute for those because alot of Japanese and southern dishes have pork, bottom feeders or shellfish in it. I shop for the freshest meats and veggies the same day in most cases, if not the day before. A lot of Anime fans feel some sort a nostalgia when eating certain Japanese food as they remind us of our favorite shows and characters. I wanted to bring more to that and cater to the hard core fans like myself and give them a place to really be themselves. That’s what I’m working on currently, a restaurant or food truck to really bring ANIMUNCHIEZ to the people. Its been a long and difficult road and I’m still fighting everyday to get to my goal. Everything that yall have seen so far has been made by myself personally in my kitchen. I’ve definitely learned that it takes a lot of resilience and strength to continue to fight through the down times of my business. It’s important to understand that it takes time and its not a race, its a journey. I’m learning to take my time and not rush the process. I know I have a long way to go and I just want the world to know that I’m thankful for all the support because ANIMUNCHIEZ is going to be HUGE! I’m so passionate about my cooking and I’m going to put everything I have into this. the Animunchiez brand is about having a place where a decent sized community of people have somewhere they can eat, totally relate to and feel comfortable in.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Im not someone who goes out frequently but I would most likely take them to places like Cidercade for great drinks and unlimited video games. Its a great place to meet other gamers as well. Start Select in Deep Ellum would also be a great place for drinks and games. The night life in Deep Ellum itself is just something you have to experience. For a geat lunch I would definitely go to Mesero in Downtown Dallas. They have amazing tacos and their drinks are really strong. The decor of the place is very welcoming and the staff is wonderful. We would have to visit Klyde Warren Park during the time the food trucks are out there. You can met so many different people, get to see several different types of dogs and the food trucks have a great variety of options.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I first would like to give a Shoutout to The Most High. Without him and his guidance I wouldn’t be where I am today. I would love to give a Shoutout to my parents Eddie and Claudia Palmer. They are most definitely a big part of why I have such a passion for cooking. Most kids are not as lucky I was having both parents be great cooks and able to make something great out of anything. I also would like to give a shoutout to my fiancé Kiara Hudson and my kids. She has been right by myside through it all supporting me anyway she can. I couldn’t ask for a better partner to spend my life with and my kids tell me how much they love my food all time. The constant love and support from them keeps me going everyday.

Website: animunchiez.com

Instagram: Animunchiez

Facebook: animunchiez Japanese Eatery

Other: Go fund me Animunchiez Food Truck Fund- https://gf.me/u/zypn5u