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Owl Cafe acquired by Albuquerque natives
Patrons eat lunch at the Owl Cafe in Albuquerque last year. The restaurant has new owners.
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Ownership is changing hands, but the iconic green chile cheeseburgers and milk shakes are staying the same.
New Mexico natives Corey Moulton and Matthew Bernabe last month acquired the Owl Cafe in Albuquerque, which was a childhood staple of Moulton and Bernabe, who are now in their 30s.
“We definitely used to go there as children to get the green chile cheeseburger,” Moulton said. “It was something we’ve eaten since we were born. ... So it’s been part of our lives for quite a while.”
Moulton for the last eight years was the general manager of Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, but he stepped away to run operations at the Owl Cafe. Bernabe is the owner of Urban Hot Dog and Fat Franks.
The Owl Cafe is a franchise of the original restaurant, the Owl Bar, in San Antonio, New Mexico. Moulton and Bernabe purchased the cafe from the owners of the franchise, who ran the Albuquerque restaurant for 38 years.
The Realtor of the original owners knew Moulton and he and his business owner purchased the restaurant without it ever being put on the market. The new owners took over June 17.
Moulton said changes will be minimal. He said the restaurant does have to apply for a beer and wine license so that it can offer mimosas and other drinks, especially during the weekend brunch.
“We want to keep doing exactly what they have done,” he said. “It has such a rich history and it does so well that we plan on trying to preserve everything that they’ve been doing the last 30 years.”
