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Jan. 23, 2008
Two new eateries find room for service here
By MARY BALDASANO
Romero's Express George Romero expanded his restaurants to include a fast-food atmosphere. The new drive-through may not be the fastest fast food, for a reason -- he feels quality is more important than time. Therefore, each order is made when it's ordered. This may not be true "fast food," but it is convenient and has been well received by Pahrump residents. Romero has been around Pahrump for quite sometime. Starting with his first restaurant, located at 290 Humachuca (across from Saitta-Trudeau), Romero expanded to the north side in the Stagestop Casino. This recent addition not only adds a new location (across from Big O tires at the Highway 372-Pahrump Valley Boulevard intersection) but a new means of serving the public. "We have great menu. Each tortilla has a different taste due to the yellow flour giving it a buttery taste. The beans are sweeter. We also offer tortas -- a Mexican hamburger -- Mexican tacos which consist of meat, onions and cilantro and are smaller than the American version. There are more meat choices, more variety, and you can customize your order, but those including green chili cannot be changed," said Romero. "Everyone helps everyone in the operations of the new express. The only problem we have found is that patrons will come inside for pickup or eat in, rather than use the drive-through, but that's a good problem, we appreciate the business." As for the competition which is soon to locate near the express, Romero welcomes it, "It gives customers a chance to try what's available, then they'll appreciate our product," he said. The biggest priority is customer satisfaction. So if you have a complaint, Romero said "Give me a call, I want to please my customers." You can call the new express at 775-537-1899. Papa Willy's Bill and Terri DiPreta are natives of New York where they were in the restaurant business for more than 15 years. Their new restaurant, Papa Willy's, was created when their daughters decided they wanted to build a family business. Located at 1700 Pahrump Valley Blvd., next to Paddy's Pub and across from Mountain View Casino, it's not a large venue, but it is a friendly place with good eating. Some of the good food is fresh veal and chicken, eggplant, lasagna, sausage, and homemade meatballs. While it takes an hour or so to prepare most of the meals, the sauce is the secret ingredient and takes approximately five hours to cook. Bill won't say what the secret is in the sauce. Soups and cold and hot subs, pizza and other options are available. The entire family, including four daughters and sons-in-law, as well as two other employees, works various hours to make the restaurant successful. "You need to be very dedicated. Owners have to do almost all the work in the beginning to save money, and the product must be good and consistent. If these aren't done, success is questionable," said DiPreta. The restaurant only holds 48 people, but for now that's no problem. Papa Willy's will be doing some catering after personal interviews with the customers. As for other plans and goals, the daughters will make the determination. DiPreta though, says he would like to turn the operation over to his daughters in two to five years, then retire. They may have to work other full-time jobs while they get the business going. The DiPreta family works up to 12 hours a day. Terri is the teacher to her daughters on the need for dedication to ensure success. Daughter Amy said "It feels wonderful to build the restaurant, it gives us a chance to work together as sisters. We have to learn everything in order to help out in all areas." There is a child's menu, and senior citizens and veterans receive a 10 percent discount. The restaurant is open seven days a week: Monday-Thursday, 11-9, Friday and Saturday, 11-10, and Sunday, noon-9. If you have questions, call 775-727-1233. |
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