Awsom Alhambra

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Alondra’s Hot Wings is Now Awsom! In the culinary landscape of Alhambra, one establishment has achieved iconic status among foodies and sports fans: Alondra’s Hot Wings. With lines around the block and big bowl games making this homegrown restaurant a beloved eatery, the name change seems perfect. Alondra’s is now “Awsom.”

Born and raised in war-torn Lebanon during the civil war, Awsom’s owners, the Kazarian brothers, endured unimaginable hardship that culminated when a missile landed in their bedroom. Their family made the decision to flee their homeland and start anew in the United States. In a story that resonates with immigrants from many countries, the family arrived with not much more than the clothes on their backs.

The family lived paycheck to paycheck. As children, the three brothers had eagerly anticipated a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese for weeks. Unfortunately, when the day finally arrived, their father broke down in tears, unable to provide the money they needed to attend the party. This heartbreaking moment left a deep impression on the brothers and served as a driving force for their future success.

As young boys, the Kazarian brothers would dream up business ideas while walking to school, envisioning a future filled with boundless possibilities. In 2001, after graduating from college, Danny and Harout, at the age of 25, and Garo, at the age of 18, decided to take the plunge and start their own business.

The Kazarian brothers took inspiration from their parents’ unique skill sets; their mother was a talented home cook and their father was a successful businessman in Lebanon. With their combined talents, the brothers set out to open a small hot wings shop in Paramount, California. Danny recalls days when they made only $50 in sales, with countless nights spent sleeping in the restaurant to wake up at 6 am to grocery shop to stock the kitchen for the day. Throughout their struggles, the Kazarian brothers would keep each other in check, relying on their unbreakable bond and the knowledge that everything they did was in honor of the sacrifices their parents made.

The success of the brothers’ hot wings during the 2001 Super Bowl was a turning point for their business. The recognition they received from the event attracted a large crowd to their shop, resulting in a significant increase in sales. The buzz generated by the Super Bowl continued to spread, and their reputation grew as more people became aware of their delicious hot wings. This led to a surge in business during the 2002 Oscar De La Hoya fight, where they experienced another explosive surge in sales. During these surges in business, the Kazarian brothers worked tirelessly, operating like well-oiled machines as they pumped out their signature hot wings. According to Danny Kazarian, one of the brothers who co-owns the restaurant, the kitchen was “a warzone back there.”

The Kazarian brothers’ passion for serving food has taken them to new heights, and they have become an iconic name in every city they have opened a restaurant in. Their unwavering determination, coupled with their unique combination of skills and talents, has led to incredible success, from recognition on the Senate floors in Washington, D.C., and California to six locations and over 350 employees. The Kazarian brothers’ success story is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and the unbreakable bond of family. You can visit Awsom at 515 W. Main Street, Alhambra, CA 91801. Visit their website: lovealondras.com.

This article can also be read in the June 2023 issue of Around Alhambra

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www.lovealondras.com