Lunchbox Laboratory will hold a job fair from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at its newest location in Bellevue. The Bellevue opening is scheduled for early January 2012.

“We will be hiring 40 employees for front and back of the house,” said Assistant General Manager Josh Losinger. “We are hoping this job fair will bring us several qualified, fun people who will fit well with the Lunchbox Laboratory concept.”

The new site is located at 989 112th Ave. NE in downtown Bellevue. It is in the Elements Building and the former location of Zen Bistro, which closed earlier this year.

Lunchbox Laboratory Bellevue is hiring all positions and, according to its news release, is seeking “artists, musicians, bad-asses and misfits who work in the industry but are tired of covering up your tats or taking out your piercings due to restaurant policy requirements. Expertise of the industry and a passion for something new are recommended.”

John Schmidt’s Neighborhood Grills, along with partners Arnold and Constance Shain of the Restaurant Group, have joined forces to open the Bellevue Lunchbox Laboratory.  They also own the current Lunchbox Laboratory in South Lake Union.

Lunchbox Laboratory originated in Ballard and was founded by Chef Scott Simpson, who passed away earlier his year.

Lunchbox Laboratory built a following at its original site in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood by serving eclectic, extra large burgers, smothered in sauces and flavored specialty salts.

Schmidt and his team began looking for a new site on the Eastside earlier this year.

“We wanted to bring this very fun, unique concept to Bellevue because there is nothing like this on the Eastside,” he said, “plus the city of Bellevue is booming and we want to be a part of the action.”

Neighborhood Grills has opened six restaurants in the Puget Sound Region since 2002 including Crossroads Bar & Grill in Bellevue.

A tentative opening date for the Bellevue Lunchbox Laboratory is January 9, 2012.