By Talaina Kor Holbrook business couple Jerry Stark and Ofelia Lange have added restaurateurs to their list of ventures with their new diner, Bienvenidos Restaurant. With breakfast, lunch and dinner menus and a name that means “Welcome” in Spanish, the restaurant offers a warm atmosphere and a new local outlet for American comfort food such as burgers, steaks, fries and pies. Stark and Lange have provided for the local community for years with their other businesses such as the Holbrook Mercantile Company, Sophie’s Mini Mart and Knife City in Sun Valley. “It’s a challenge for a business to survive in a small town,” stated Stark. “But people come out for value and quality and when you give them that and good service along with it, then they want to come back and give their support.” Although the restaurant has only been open since Jan. 15, support for the new business has been booming. With his background experience as a chef, Stark personally insures what Bienvenidos serves is top tier. “It was very important to me that we make as much fresh foods as we can,” stated Stark. “Everything that we possibly can make in the kitchen fresh to order is the way we’re doing it. We put a lot of effort into the food and the presentation and the quality.” Starks philosophy on their food is to stick to the basics. “There’s no reason to try to show off in Holbrook. Just make a hamburger but make it the best hamburger you could make.” Even the fries are made with top quality ingredients. “We’re cutting our own fresh French fries from potatoes that are grown specifically just for making French fries,” added Stark. Along with ensuring the food is up to par, Stark is also adapting the menu selection based on its patrons. Although the diner has only been open a couple of weeks, Stark is already altering and improving their menu in response to customer suggestions. “We’re going to go along that vein and see where the customers take us,” stated Stark. Bienvenidos is adhering to health protocols amidst the pandemic, only allowing seating at certain tables and requiring the staff wear masks as well as proper sanitation. The restaurant also offers take-out for those who are avoiding dine-in eating. “We block off the required tables, where the masks and bleach everything,” said Stark. Bienvenidos Restaurant is located at 2600 Navajo Blvd. in Holbrook and is open every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
