(KNSI) – St. Cloud restaurant staple, Bravo Burrito, is celebrating a major milestone.
It will turn 40 this month with a pair of events. Anniversary day is officially April 16th. Co-owner Mike Lardy has been a part of the Bravo story since the 1990’s. “This has been, more or less, our headquarters or our constant as we went from renting apartments to owning our first homes to starting a family.”
His wife, Sam, shared a fun story about the kids and how they have also adopted the restaurant as a constant in their lives. “Our kids were fighting the other day over who gets to take it over. And then I suggested — they’re at six and eight, by the way. I said, ‘Why don’t you guys do it together?’ [They responded] ‘Oh man, that’s a good option.'”
Lardy laughs when he says that his classmates did not pick him in high school to be most successful. Instead, they chose him as most unique, which he insists fits pretty well with Bravo Burrito. “We’re not a cookie-cutter corporate franchisee type of place. When you walk through the door, you can immediately tell that this was a homespun, uniquely designed experience.”
On the 16th, anyone wearing Bravo Burrito merchandise can order a meal at 1985 prices. On the 26th, the restaurant will stay open late for Bravo After Hours. The dining room will be transformed into a club with a live DJ.
Lardy says the first location for Bravo Burrito was across 5th Avenue from the Magic Carpet downtown and Bravo After Dark will try to recreate the backroom vibe present at that site.
Those around here aren’t the only ones who know what a fixture the business has been in the community. Last spring it was featured on an episode of America’s Best Restaurants. Watch the episode by clicking here.
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