The Owl Cafe has been a part of the Citrus College campus for years, but this past spring the cafe’s menu has been totally revamped.
Under the new management of Maria Arquin, manager, and Rory Dwayne Lara, head chef, the Owl Cafe has made some huge changes and students have noticed.
Citrus College communications major, Kaylee Holley, 21, noticed a change in the food quality.
“I didn’t eat (Owl Cafe) a lot a few months ago, but I feel like, yes, it’s a bit better. It’s almost more like, I don’t know, it’s almost more like homemade kind of tasting if that makes sense,” she said as she dug into her burrito.
Food quality at the Owl Cafe hasn’t always been what it is now.
When asked about whether the previous chef used frozen or pre-made food Lara responded, “Whoever was running this before, they were doing that because, again, its cost effective and if you don’t like what you’re doing you’re just going to try to find shortcuts. Eventually you’re going to have so many shortcuts that it’s a circle.”
Lara wants students to know there are more options than they think available at the cafe.
“I’m trying to tell the kids you don’t have to just get the chicken tender plate,” Lara said. “Let me know what you need and I’ll help you walk through it so you can get other flavors.”
For students who have special dietary needs or preferences, the Owl Cafe offers vegan and vegetarian options. Lara has the ability to make any food item for special cases.
“I make my own aiolis. I make my own vinaigrettes for the catering for the faculty. So it’s always like if somebody asks me about it, I have the experience to do it,” Lara said.
The Owl Cafe does not use any peanut products in their cooking and tries to avoid products with heavy amounts of gluten.
Lara is open to suggestions from students and encourages students to let him know their opinions.
“To me it’s like if I’m not hearing any feedback, then I’m doing something wrong because they’re not talking about it.” Lara said.
He prefers to experiment with his menus and flavors and wants to challenge people’s taste buds.
Arquin is the manager who opened the Owl Cafe, under Pacific Dining’s management, and has been in charge for two and a half years. Arquin said her position as the general manager puts her in charge of everything that happens: purchasing, hiring, payroll, menus and dealing with customers.
Arquin’s passion for cooking started at a young age.
“My mom and dad, they used to have a catering company, so since I was little, they used to have me peel potatoes and carrots and as I grew I used to have to help them with the dishes,” Arquin said.
Before working at the Owl Cafe, Arquin worked at Keck Hospital at the University of Southern California as a supervisor of the dietary department for 16 years where she helped plan patient’s diets.
Arquin loves working at Citrus and the atmosphere the students foster.
“I like working with young people. It’s different; everyday is different. You get to see a lot of kids, what’s going on, so I really like it, I love the environment,” Arquin said.
Arquin’s vision for the Owl Cafe is to, “Have more customers, have the kids come in and come and eat here more often and see what they like,” Arquin said she wants to hear more from students and see what they would like the cafe to do differently.
Arquin’s favorite food at the Owl Cafe is the chicken tender plate. She encourages students to voice their opinions about the menu.
The Owl Cafe’s chef has prepared food for the past 12 years.
“I lead by doing it myself,” Lara said.
Lara started his career as a dish washer and worked his way up from there to become a chef. Lara took over the kitchen at the Owl Cafe in late spring of 2019. Before working at the Owl Cafe, Lara worked at BJ’s, several corporate restaurants and opened all of the Five Guys restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley.
Lara enjoys working at Citrus and likes, “the fact that for the most part the kids are real friendly.”
Competition against chain restaurants helps the Owl Cafe step up its game. “We have to compete with Chick-Fil-A and Popeyes and Jack in the Box and now In-n-Out and it’s hard to compete against those guys,” Lara said. “At least when they come here, they know it’s consistent, it’s good, and it’s as least expensive as I can make it.”
Lara works at the Owl Cafe from Monday to Thursday every week. He also has his own catering business on the side called Tia Comfort Catering. “My catering business is all word of mouth. I don’t advertise, I don’t put banners out,” Lara said.
Tia Comfort Catering is entirely booked almost every weekend.
The Owl Cafe’s message to students is: “Come visit us, I’d love for you guys to come over,” Arquin said. “If there is something that is in my hands that I could make or bring I’ll be more than happy to do it, if you have any complaints or concerns please ask for me or my supervisor, Mary Bell, and we will be more than happy to take care of it.”
