New owners at El Burro focus on family posted on 02/01/2023
After owning her own business for 20 years, Angélica Negrete
and her family know the work it takes to run an independent business.
“I grew up with eight sisters and one brother. Our parents
taught us to work very hard and whenever one of the family needs help, we would
all work together,” she said.
Carlos and Angélica Negrete recently decided to expand their
business endeavors through the purchase of El Burro Loco in Welches with the
needs of their family in mind. The Negrete’s took over ownership of the established
restaurant at the beginning of January.
The Negrete’s have an adult son, Carlos Ivan, and a
daughter, Karla. Carlos Ivan has special needs, and the family had been
searching for a business the whole family could work at together. Owning a
restaurant has also been a long-term goal for Carlos, who has more than 20
years’ experience working in the restaurant industry.
As the new owner of El Burro Loco, Carlos will be able to
put his culinary talents to work continuing to provide the quality food and
customer experience the restaurant is known for in the Mount Hood community.
Now he’ll be able to use his experience working alongside his wife and two
adult children.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have a husband who is so hard
working and talented,” Angélica said. “It’s been 29 years of wonderful cooking
in our marriage.”
The Negrete’s plan to keep the menu the same to satisfy
existing customers but add new dishes from Carlos’s personal cooking
experience.
El Burro Loco will continue operation with its existing
staff. “I’m very happy with the staff (at the restaurant),” Angélica said. “We
think they’re a really good team.”
With the new ownership, the restaurant will now be open
seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. The Negrete’s are also doing a bit of
remodeling to the restaurant including adding new chairs and benches in the
dining area.
“We want to make sure everything is comfortable for guests
when they dine with us,” Angélica said.
The Negrete’s are excited with their new business venture
and to continue to offer an inviting restaurant for the community to enjoy.
“Everyone is welcome, especially children and the senior
community,” Angélica said. “Family is very important to us.”
The Negrete’s are planning to host an outdoor BBQ and invite
the community to join them to celebrate their new business ownership when the
weather improves in the spring.
For now, the family’s focus is working together on the
transition of taking on ownership of the business. Even Angelica’s brother
Ivan, who owns a cleaning business, Cascade Cleaning, has been helping with
deep cleaning and renovating the restaurant for its new chapter.
“My happiness doesn’t fit inside my chest to see my husband
so happy to own the restaurant,” Angélica said.
El Burro Loco is located at 67211 Hwy. 26, Welches. More information, including food and drink
menus, is available online at https://www.elburro-loco.com. The restaurant can
be contacted by phone at 503-622-6780.
By Ben Simpson/MT | 
