Rio Communities
With the grand opening of BD Bonz in Rio Communities on Saturday, restaurant owners Tauni and Cody Newman believe they are bringing something unconventional, yet practical, to the surrounding area.
BD Bonz, which is located at 199A Rio Communities Blvd., is both a drive-in restaurant and farm-fresh outlet. There, customers can find both hot, fresh menu items and a selection of grocery staples, including milk, eggs and bread.
The owners hope to make their establishment the ideal choice for anyone looking for a good, fast meal, a gallon of milk and a dozen tortillas or all of the above.
“We’re not catering to any specific group,” said co-owner, Cody.
The menu includes a variety of baked potatoes, burritos, sandwiches and breakfast selections. Every item on the menu is available during all hours of operation, which are 5:57 a.m. until 5:57 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
“We wanted to bring something new to the valley,” said Cody, who noted that the menu’s baked potato options — known at BD Bonz as Super Spudz — cannot be found anywhere else in the community. He also mentioned the lack of many food options — especially fast food options — in the restaurant’s proximity.
Cody said that quality is essential at BD Bonz. “It’s like our mission states,” he said, “we’re here to offer a good product to the community.”
Tauni, Cody’s wife and BD Bonz co-owner, said that patrons can expect more than just good food at BD Bonz. “We want everyone who comes in to feel like they’re friends,” she said, emphasizing that customer service is a high priority at the establishment.
Though they hope their interesting concept becomes popular with the public, it’s important to note that the Newmans are not looking to steal business from any of their peers. They are adamant about their mission to both serve the community and contribute to the local economy.
“We’re here to support all businesses in the local community,” said Cody, who added that he patronizes local vendors whenever possible and welcomes new restaurants to open their doors next to his.
“It’s businesses helping businesses here,” he added.
Neither Cody nor Tauni have owned a restaurant before, but they have received help from some experienced friends. Anthony Baca and his wife, Carmen, owners of the Belen Tastee Freez location, helped the Newmans develop the restaurant’s concept, and they will assist with the general operation during the first few weeks.
“They’ve been a great help to us,” said Tauni.
An examination of the BD Bonz menu shows numerous choices, all of which are priced at under $6. Those craving a Super Spud have eight options, including The Basic, topped with cheese or sour cream and butter, and the BBQ Spud, made with barbecue brisket and sour cream. Potato prices range from $2.79 to $5.95.
There is an equally diverse selection of burritos. At $4.98, the BD Extreme is the most expensive. The menu describes this burrito as: “this one-pound monster is filled with your choice of meat, potatoes, beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, chile.”
Burritos are wrapped in fresh flour tortillas and served with red or green chile. The stuffing options include meats such as beef, chicken, chile relleno, shredded pork and even a hot dog. The breakfast menu includes pancakes, blueberry muffins and biscuits with gravy. BD Bonz patrons can also order from the appetizer and side-item menus.
The restaurant’s grand opening will be celebrated Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a ribbon-cutting with the Hispano Chamber of Commerce, a “fun jump” for kids’ enjoyment and various other festivities.
The telephone number is 864-4880.
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April 18, 2024
