Eatery hour extension approved

Early risers and night owls alike who are looking for dining opportunities in La Cañada soon will have one more option, as Los Gringos Locos has received permission to extend its hours when the restaurant moves from its present location into the building formerly occupied by Conrad’s.

When Los Gringos Locos makes its move from the 400 block of Foothill into Plaza de La Cañada within the next couple of months, the restaurant will be permitted to keep its alcohol-service privileges as well as start new brunch hours at around 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and stay open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. The approvals were unanimously granted Tuesday night by the La Cañada Flintridge Planning Commission.

Los Gringos Locos co-owner Bent Hansen said that the extended hours were born out of a desire to offer something new to the community.

“It would just be an experiment, we’re not sure if the market calls for it or not,” said Hansen. “But we’re going to find out.”

Hansen told the Planning Commission that the lack of late-night food options in town presented an opportunity to try something new, for better or worse.

“We’re not sure if nobody in La Cañada rolls up after 9 p.m. because nothing’s open, or because that’s when they’re going to bed,” Hansen said.

Commissioner Herand Sarkissian said that he wholeheartedly supported the new location receiving the permission for extended hours and for serving alcohol, and his statements were endorsed by the rest of the commission.

“I’ve been a longtime client and eat [at Los Gringos Locos] often and it’s a wonderful place, and I’ve had to wait sometimes, and hopefully this change will make it so I don’t have to,” said Sarkissian.

The new location also will be better capable of handling customers in search of a weekend margarita fix, with a full-size bar that will seat about 40 guests, as compared to the current location’s four-seat bar.

Hansen said that the new location is well-suited to trying out the extended hours and to receive continued approval for alcohol service, since it was not in a residential area.

Sarkissian agreed.

“I’m 100% in support of a fine establishment that serves the right things,” said Sarkissian.