Motivated by family and rooted in passionate determination, UCA sophomore David Pavon is bringing the heat to Downtown Conway with his own restaurant, El Fuego.
This project has been in the works for almost a year and hit Conway’s streets on April 20 at 1018 Oak Street, bringing a fusion of Mexican flavors and hearts that want to serve.
Relationships, connections and previous employers paved the way for young Pavon to open his doors to the public and grow the Conway community.
Through changes of the restaurant’s name, the restaurant’s location and the business’ opening date, Pavon didn’t let struggles weigh him down and was always focused on the final goal at hand.
“I have no idea what to expect when we open our doors to the public. I truly don’t. But my hope is that when people come in here, is this, to be a safe environment, to do those things and meet with others, to meet with family, to be vulnerable with each other and it not just be a restaurant, but it being just a safe haven for those moments,” Pavon said.
Pavon expressed the significance of Christ, family and connections he’s assembled that have strengthened his confidence in himself and this business.
His family previously owned a catering company that did a variety of different events and allowed him the opportunity to be opened up to a business like El Fuego.
After bringing up the possibility of a restaurant business to his parents, Pavon got a call that changed everything.
“So we started praying about it, and literally, like, a month later, I get a phone call. And what’s cool, the reason why I mentioned connections is because the Lord provided relationships and people that have influenced this vision of the restaurant, and so before I even knew it, He was working behind the scenes and prepping for this moment, for this year,” Pavon said.
Through Pavon and his family’s hard work they hope to grow community involvement and share a fire for life and love with their restaurant.
“In the midst of trial, in the midst of just situations where it might be hard to overcome and finding peace in that and that’s fire,” Pavon said when explaining the name of El Fuego.
While balancing life as a student, fraternity member and business owner, there’s sometimes uncertainty.
“I’m learning to chew as I go. And I’ve had to go from being in person to going online school that way, and fraternity returning wise, it’s been great as far as networking and having guys that will support … it’s been a journey, for sure, but I’m blessed to say that the Lord’s provided,” Pavon said.
With this new addition to Conway, Pavon and his family aspires to bring a sense of love through the work team, atmosphere and their own family.
“There’s been points where the vision was kind of hard to see, but now we’re like, all in as we reflect that, like we’re having our grand opening in a few days. It’s just, it’s crazy to wrap your head around,” Pavon said.
Stay updated on El Fuego’s future on their Instagram and visit them downtown at 1018 Oak St, Conway, AR 72032.
David Pavon, Mauricio and Paola Portillo and Valerie Pavon (left to right) pose in front of their new
restaurant El Fuego in Downtown Conway. David Pavon is a sophomore at UCA and opened his
restaruant’s doors on April 20.
(courtesy of Conway Downtown Partnership Facebook)
