It’s
a place where north meets south, a place where people can gather during lunch
or after a hard days work and discuss old times and new happenings. It’s a
place where traditional Mexican food is prepared with the freshest ingredients,
a place where magic is still alive in one bartender’s disappearing sugar trick
and where old country tunes can be played through a juke box.
Sports
memorabilia line the walls and lithographs of legendary boxers Archie Moore and
Sammy Fiston are almost hidden in the rear right corner of the small bar
downstairs. But when stomachs start rumbling, a quick climb to the upstairs
restaurant reveals tables covered with red and white checkered table cloths and
the smell of Mexican food cooking in the kitchen.
“It
was always my dream to own a restaurant,” said Don Jose’s and Bender’s new
owner Jose Martinez. “I feel good about owning this restaurant because I like
to offer good quality of food to the [community].”
Don
Jose’s offers an array of traditional Mexican food, including five different
kinds of enchiladas, weekend menudu, shrimp cocktail and it’s specialty, El
Mojo de Ajo, always prepared with the traditions of Mexico in mind and at
heart.
“We
use the freshest ingredient,” Jose said. “If a box of chiles come in and they
are not fresh, we send them back.
And
fresh is probably an understatement, being that all the sauces are made from
scratch and the beans too.
Though
Bender’s is owned by Jose, it could not run without long-time managing
bartender Ron Bender, hence the name Bender’s. It offers its
“I
hate to say it, but I am probably the best bartender in the Valley,” Ron said,
jokingly. “Bender’s is different than any of the other bars in town because for
one, I’m here and two, it’s small. People tell me that they feel comfortable
here.”
As
Ron tosses glasses in the air and prepares two bloody marys, it’s clear to see
that his charisma is not only what brings locals coming back but also puts
visitors at ease.
The
partnership between Jose and Ron goes far beyond the saying “drink, eat and be
merry.” Both Ron and Jose respect each other and appreciate what the other has
to add to the restaurant and bar.
“We
work good as a team,” Jose said. “I have no complaints about Ron, he’s very
open- minded and easy going.”
Ron
said “I love working with Jose and his family. They are great and very
hardworking and they serve damn good food too.”
Zaca
firefighters looking for a break from camp food agreed.
“The
food is damn near amazing,” said Jesse Malone, a firefighter from
Joe
Furia, also a firefighter from
“It’s
the best food I’ve had in 21 days,” he said, chiming in.
Just
as the firefighters gave praise to the upstairs restaurant, locals downstairs
shared their appreciation for Bender’s.
“It’s
definitely good to have a sports bar in town where we can watch all the NFL
games and more,” said Valley local Guy Maler.
Rick
Norton, drummer for the Grasshoppers, associated Bender’s to throwback bars
long gone from the Valley.
“We needed to bring back the old MolleKroen,[a
Danish restaurant and bar that was replaced by Bender’s and Don Jose’s],” he
said.
No
matter who walks through the doors at Bender’s and Don Jose’s in the future,
they will be guaranteed to be offered both freshly made, hometown Mexican food
and might even get to see Ron’s famed disappearing magic trick.
“Years
from now I see Jose and I both getting recognition as the best Mexican food
restaurant and bar in town,” Ron said, with a smile. “As for me, it’s my job in
life to make everyone smile and laugh. I will still be running a bar, playing
golf and making people happy.”
For
business hours and more information about Don Jose’s Mexican Restaurant and
Bender’s Bar, located at