Husband and wife Oswaldo Hernandez and Esther Aparicio bought BC Chicken in Ogden one year ago. Both have worked in the restaurant industry for several years and said that becoming restaurant owners fulfilled a lifelong dream for them.
"I've been cooking since I was 10 years old and so has she," Hernandez said of his and Aparicio's experience in the kitchen.
BC Chicken originally opened in Ogden in 1989 and has changed owners multiple times over the years. When Hernandez and Aparicio took over, they kept the menu selections the same but changed the recipes. Hernandez said business has picked up due to lower prices and better-tasting food.
For example, he said the quality of the lamb used for the gyro has improved under the new ownership. Now the meat is shipped in from Chicago.
"It's a better mix," Hernandez said.
The Gyro Plate ($6.99) comes with pita bread, rice or potatoes, and salad with homemade vinaigrette dressing.
The dressing, the couple's own special recipe, has gained popularity with area medical weight loss clinics because it has no carbohydrates, no trans-fat or cholesterol, and has only 70 calories per serving, according to Hernandez.
"And, it tastes good," he said.
The dressing is sold in 16-ounce bottles for $4.99.
The rotisserie chicken and ribs ($5.99-$12.99) are slow cooked in a special wood-fired oven burning maple or cherry wood. To get just the right flavor, they soak the meats for six days in a homemade Greek marinade.
"Fresh and healthy are the two things we strive for," Hernandez said. They also sell souvlaki, skewers of chicken, beef or pork ($5.99/$6.99); and a vegetarian plate with a falafel and grape leaves stuffed with seasoned rice ($5.99).
On the lighter side, the Chicken Salad ($5.99) is served with lemon rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, cucumbers and shredded chicken.
Most of the couple's advertising has been by word of mouth and the business is growing. The dining area is small, but about 80 percent of the restaurant's business comes from take-out orders. Hernandez said he is even thinking about opening another location.
For now, they continue to provide good food and friendly service.
"We love cooking and we want to be here for awhile," Hernandez said.
BC CHICKEN
- ADDRESS: 1269 Washington Blvd., Ogden
- HOURS: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1- 8 p.m. Saturdays.
- PHONE: 801-393-9393