Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself and your family.
I have lived in the Bucks County area since I was 6 years old. I graduated from Council Rock South Highschool back when it first opened. I am the oldest of 4 kids, I have a brother and two sisters. My brother is still in the area, and my sisters both live in Florida. My mom and dad are also still in the area. My mom is a realtor at Berkshire Hathaway and my dad is in the bar business with me, after a career in pharmaceuticals. My wife also grew up in Bucks County, so we are all very familiar and happy with our community. Together my wife and I have a two-year-old son and three dogs.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I have been in the restaurant industry since I was 16 years old. My first job was at the old Wings to Go. Since then, I have done a little bit of everything. I have done corporate catering, fast casual food, management at Chipotle, and cooking at the steakhouse at the casino before it was Parks. I have also worked in the kitchen at PF Changs, bar tended and now I am the director of operations at El Barrio Cantina and Tequila Bar. El Barrio opened in 2015 and my father and I bought the bar in 2019. We took over right before the pandemic, so it was an interesting process. We have had to roll with the punches and take things one step at a time, but we have really enjoyed it.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I like the creative side of things. Always getting to mess around with food and coming up with new things. Always coming up with new ideas. Like our big mac inspired taco or our surf and turf taco.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Tony’s place in Ivyland, Maggio’s happy hour, and Domonick’s for pizza,
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived here since I was 6 years old.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would go to Mexico on a quest to perfect my craft. I would love to go to one of their distilleries to see how they make tequila. I would also like to see how they make tortillas from a street vendor in the city or something.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
For TV, I would say the classic, How I Met Your Mother. I just watched it again for at least the 3rd time. As far as movies go our family has been very into superhero movies right not. Specifically, the Thor movies are some of my favorites.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Take things one day at a time and try not to get too stressed about where things are going. Stay aware of the future but try also to stay present.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Going to see a world series game someday.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Currently I have been on a country music kick. I have specifically been listening to Mitchell Tenpenny because he just released a new album.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Recently my favorite part about the community is the fun free things to do with your kids in the area. My son and I have really been enjoying the free kid’s classes at the Northampton Library lately.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully we are still rocking and rolling at El Barrio. I think I will probably always be in the food industry someway somehow. We would love to get into food trucks, so maybe we will have a food truck in 5-10 years. We may also have another brick-and-mortar store. You never know.
Q: What is something interesting that even your friends of family may not know about you?
Even though I seem very outgoing and out there I am very much an introvert.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The first spots that come to my mind are Sedona Arizona and Hawaii.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because you get to eat, rest, and watch football. My favorite month is November, and my favorite single day is Christmas.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and son
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Nothing gets me like that perfect post rainy spring day smell
Q: What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family.
Q: Where can people find you or your business?
