Oregano's Begins

Yesterday I tried out the drive through at the new Panda Express; it works like a dream. That will be especially helpful for my son and my future son-in-law, who are both big fans of the food. I used the drive through feature because I had a meeting that began in the lunch hour; the rest of the office, however, walked over and enjoyed their food at the restaurant. I am happy they are open, and wish them great success.

The actual building process has now begun for another restaurant in downtown Gilbert, according to the AZ Republic:

Oregano's Pizza Bistro fans are closer to getting the restaurant chain in Gilbert now that construction has begun in the Heritage District.

Town officials see Oregano's, which is scheduled to open in April or May, as a key piece in downtown redevelopment.

"We're just moving along as quick as possible," Oregano's owner Mark Russell said.

The Gilbert location will feature a more efficient kitchen that will allow for more takeout business, he said.

But aside from that, Oregano's will stick with its formula in Gilbert, he said.

"We're not here to change what we've been successful doing," he said.

The restaurant will be at the southwestern corner of Gilbert Road and Vaughn Avenue, across Vaughn from where Four Peaks Brewing Co.'s microbrewery and restaurant and Russell's Chilepistols Mexican Kitchen are scheduled to open in 2007.

Russell said he's been working with Gilbert to ensure Oregano's will have sufficient parking, particularly since this kind of downtown location isn't typical for the company. He said he's confident the restaurant will have enough parking.

"I would imagine we're even a little bit overparked," Russell said.

We know, of course, that it always takes longer, don't we? But whenever they open, it will be a welcome addition to the downtown.