El Sancho reopens on Bend’s eastside, after a kitchen fire closed the restaurant for more than a year

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- One of Bend's favorite places to grab a taco and a margarita has just reopened its eastside location with a colorful new look, but the same beloved food. El Sancho Taco Shop's return comes more than a year after a kitchen fire caused more than $250,000 in damage.

The location on DeKalb Avenue near Third Street has now returned. The new building features a bright and colorful new look.

While the interior may have changed, one of the co-owners, Jon Barvels, told KTVZ News all your classic favorite foods are still there.

"I think everyone's just enjoying being back in the space, same with us," he said. "I think the regulars and customers we had before knew the food that they were looking for, and the vibe they were looking for. When they came back in and felt everything was the same, everyone was pretty happy."

While the fire was unfortunate, the owner says they were planning to do an update anyway. They also took the opportunity to buy some new kitchen equipment they've been wanting.