After owning her own business for 20 years, Angélica Negrete and her family
know the work it takes to run an independent business.

“I grew up with eight sisters and one brother. Our parents taught us to work
very hard and whenever one of the family needs help, we would all work
together,” she said.

Carlos and Angélica Negrete recently decided to expand their business
endeavors through the purchase of El Burro Loco in Welches with the needs of
their family in mind. The Negrete’s took over ownership of the established
restaurant at the beginning of January.

The Negrete’s have an adult son, Carlos Ivan, and a daughter, Karla. Carlos
Ivan has special needs, and the family had been searching for a business the
whole family could work at together. Owning a restaurant has also been a
long-term goal for Carlos, who has more than 20 years’ experience working in
the restaurant industry.

As the new owner of El Burro Loco, Carlos will be able to put his culinary
talents to work continuing to provide the quality food and customer
experience the restaurant is known for in the Mount Hood community. Now
he’ll be able to use his experience working alongside his wife and two adult
children.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have a husband who is so hard working and
talented,” Angélica said. “It’s been 29 years of wonderful cooking in our
marriage.”

The Negrete’s plan to keep the menu the same to satisfy existing customers
but add new dishes from Carlos’s personal cooking experience.
El Burro Loco will continue operation with its existing staff. “I’m very happy
with the staff (at the restaurant),” Angélica said. “We think they’re a really
good team.”

With the new ownership, the restaurant will now be open seven days a week
from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. The Negrete’s are also doing a bit of remodeling to
the restaurant including adding new chairs and benches in the dining area.
“We want to make sure everything is comfortable for guests when they dine
with us,” Angélica said.

The Negrete’s are excited with their new business venture and to continue to
offer an inviting restaurant for the community to enjoy.
“Everyone is welcome, especially children and the senior community,”
Angélica said. “Family is very important to us.”

The Negrete’s are planning to host an outdoor BBQ and invite the community
to join them to celebrate their new business ownership when the weather
improves in the spring.

For now, the family’s focus is working together on the transition of taking on
ownership of the business. Even Angelica’s brother Ivan, who owns a cleaning

business, Cascade Cleaning, has been helping with deep cleaning and
renovating the restaurant for its new chapter.

“My happiness doesn’t fit inside my chest to see my husband so happy to own
the restaurant,” Angélica said.

El Burro Loco is located at 67211 Hwy. 26, Welches. More information,

including food and drink menus, is available online at https://www.elburro-
loco.com. The restaurant can be contacted by phone at 503-622-6780.