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OREM — A longtime Provo restaurant is back in business, but in a new location in Orem.
Los Hermanos took the space that had been occupied by the Old Spaghetti Factory at the University Place, 575 E. University Parkway, following a devastating fire on February.
On Feb. 11, a fire tore through the Mexican restaurant’s location on Provo’s Center Street, resulting in severe damage to the building.
The family-owned business vowed to stay in operation. With a lot of support from the community, they found a way to keep going, including employment for some employees who’ve been part of the business for two, even three decades.
“It means so much to us and we have had so many blessings of so many people coming together, or our work family, we had to have them all and it's beautiful to see how many people can come together after a tragedy like this,” said Rachel Witham Byrnes, a daughter of the owners.
The made-from-scratch menu is still the same, and cooks come in every morning at 6:00 to start preparing food for the entire day.
“When I was a college student at BYU, I always used to go to Los Hermanos. It was a big meal and wasn’t too expensive,” said Joseph Garcia, of Roosevelt.
Related:
Owner, longtime customers reflect on loss of Provo restaurant
A landmark in Utah County had to stop taking reservations when a fire destroyed the historic Los Hermanos restaurant in Provo on Feb. 11, 2019.He was glad to see the new restaurant open Monday and came in for lunch with his family.
“They're so happy. They're loving it, and they've missed us for this month. Some of the diehards have been like, 'You’re back!'” said Lisa Witham, an owner of the store, dating back to 1988.
After the fire, the old cash register and the piano, both longtime elements of the restaurant, were salvaged and efforts were made to recreate the atmosphere that was part of the original restaurant location.
“It's bringing back all kinds of memories. As I walk around, they're telling me all kinds of stories that ... it makes me feel old, but about bringing their kids in,” Witham added.
The owners plan a grand opening sometime in May, but they say they are back in business with their regular hours.
