SBDC @ San Juan Community College
Mario Bernardon opened Bernardones’ Family Pizzeria on West Main, Farmington in 2008. Bernardones’ grew so quickly and became so popular, that the parking lot could not hold all of its customers. With that in mind, Mario started plans for an expanded location on East Main with even more dinner selections. Mario and his family proudly make their own pasta and sauces, pizza dough, sausage, meatballs, and gelato.
Trattoria di Bernardone became a true reality after eight years of planning and modifying the design plans. The result is a welcoming restaurant, where one can experience great food in a rustic and charming setting that feels like an Italian villa. Everything is made from scratch with fresh ingredients; no effort is spared in preparing their food. Preparing dishes in a traditional way allows their customers to experience the most authentic flavors of Italy. The whole family all have roles in making the restaurant a success. Mario and Laura also are of service to others and provide meals through Catholic Charities. Mario still hopes to expand his location to include a full service bar, two banquet rooms and an outdoor piazza that were in his original design.
Running a success restaurant doesn’t leave a whole lot of extra time on your hands, but that doesn’t bother the Bernardones, they love their work and their lives in Farmington, New Mexico. Mario and his wife Laura have accomplished their dream, working together with their nine homeschooled children and operating a family restaurant serving great food with love. Mario summed it up by saying. “It’s a ministry for us, reaching out to Farmington and sharing what we’ve been given, not because we’re great people, but because we’ve been blessed a lot!”