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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us July 9, 2005 Business Underground Los Gordos changes hands By William Hagle Tidings Correspondent Los Gordos literally means “The Fat Ones” or in vernacular, “The Rich Ones.” What about Los Gordos, a “tacos and more” shop at 397 E. Main St., qualifies it as “rich”? The cantina is tucked well below tourist radar, and that of most casually passing locals, in the Ashland Underground Market Place across from the library. For example, previous owner John Edwards did not appear overwhelmed with tourists or other clients during a recent Wednesday lunch hour. Across the dark, converted basement space from a popular tattoo parlor, Edwards has evidently built a mostly local, somewhat steady clientele. He ran this taco shop with family for three years before handing over the keys to Diane and Steve Sumrell on July 1. Did this history live up to the restaurant’s name? In Edwards’ case, it is hard to tell because he is mellow and appears quite happy to have been with the restaurant. He also says he is quite happy to move on. “I am leaving Los Gordos and going back to school and spending more time with my kids,” he said. Riches, though, Edwards did bring. He provided the restaurant and its clientele organic ingredients that show up in the wide variety of fresh-made salsas and the freshly haunting authentic flavors of the dishes. Those who have eaten in Mexico will understand the “haunting,” deja-vu simplicity of the Los Gordos dishes. The Sumrells, though, are adding a particular richness of their own. Borrowing from a life of restaurant and business backgrounds (Diane grew up in and owned several restaurants; Steve was a longtime manager in the courier business), the two new owners are planning a special Ashland-style richness of environment to augment the restaurant. They plan a richness of interaction: foods, music, beer, wine tastings and community participation in a brighter and livelier space than they inherited at the beginning of the month. A coffee space is planned and newspapers are liberally strewn around the cantina. Right now, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and never on Sunday, patrons can choose meals from a nonpretentious menu. Breakfast burritos, quesadillas and vegan burritos are some of the available fare. “Crepes and More” desserts are the only things that fancy-up the menu, with “Berry Bonanzas” and “Chocolate and Banana” filled confections. The Sumrells’ Los Gordos approach really begins to shine through when seeing the obvious joy the couple has in having moved to Ashland. Most recently they moved in via Shady Cove. Before that, they came from Alameda, Calif., Portland and a few other locales. They have routinely enjoyed the culture of Ashland, though, over the past few years on visits from Shady Cove. These restaurateurs bought the place with their hearts after seeing an ad for a local “mom and pop” business. They bought the place much less with their heads, though they could easily have done a risk-benefit analysis and created enough charts and appendices to wallpaper the entire space. What they realize about business and riches is simple. You can make money and have the business steal time and heart and motivation. Or, a business can add income and fun. Fun they plan. This is the Sumrell definition of Los Gordos, a consciously Ashland approach: That their lives and guests become richer. For this reason, those smiles bound up from deep inside. At 397 E. Main St., down in the basement, all in the community are invited to stop in and share. Musicians and food and wine-lovers are especially welcome to strum, taste, sip and visit. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Online Pharmacy Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations Hammocks Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams