Six years after a bitter custody battle and financial collapse forced him to lock the doors of his beloved Ghent eatery, Kenneth Van Dael is back behind the counter serving Mexican street food to a city that refused to let him fade away. The 52-year-old has resurrected his burritobar, Wrap Up, in a new location on the Charles Andrieslaan, fueled by the devotion of his former clientele.
Pioneering Mexican food in Ghent
Back in 2010, Van Dael originally struck gold in the Voskenslaan by introducing what was then a novel concept to the local culinary scene: hand-held Mexican burritos and tacos. The venture proved to be a “megasucces,” according to Van Dael, simply because no one else was offering them at the time. By the time he relocated to the Lammerstraat to expand operations, a loyal community of regulars—many of them university students—had formed around his signature flavors.
Pandemic, Divorce, and Devastation
That momentum crashed into a wall four years into the Lammerstraat tenure. A confluence of disasters hit Van Dael all at once as the pandemic broke out, the building housing his business was declared uninhabitable, and he became embroiled in a grueling divorce. Fighting for custody of his young son required every financial resource he possessed. Money earmarked for tax liabilities was redirected to legal fees and court costs, leaving him with an agonizing ultimatum between his child and his business.
Crowdfunding a Triumphant Comeback
Van Dael secured joint custody of his son, but the victory cost him his restaurant. To stay afloat during the intervening years, he worked at Colmar, Jumbo, and Bofrost. Yet, the longing for his former profession never faded, and local residents frequently stopped him on the street to ask when Wrap Up might return. Prompted by his neighbor, Van Dael tested the waters by launching a crowdfunding campaign to finance a fresh start.
The response exceeded expectations. Within a single day, the campaign pulled in one thousand euros, leaving Van Dael in a state of shock as his phone buzzed incessantly. After just two weeks, contributions from his old customer base totaled five thousand euros, providing the seed capital needed to relaunch the business. In mid-October, Wrap Up officially reopened its doors at Charles Andrieslaan 9, situated not far from the Watersportbaan.
A Fresh Menu Rooted in Old Beginnings
The transition back to hospitality has brought immediate validation. Former students who once frequented the original location have returned, and one entire class even visited bearing a banner reading “Wrap Up burritobar season 3.” Among the first patrons to welcome him back was local boxer Lee Ingelrest, a nod to Van Dael’s deep roots in the boxing world, where he previously trained Victor Schelstraete.
While the classic burritos and taco recipes remain identical to those served six years ago, the menu has expanded to reflect skills acquired during his time away. Drawing on experience gained working at Jumbo, Van Dael introduced pizzas to the offering, alongside empanadas and ice cream. Wrap Up operates daily from 12 tot 22 uur, remaining closed on Saturdays.
