Pasta J’s

When Daniel and Jacquie Bernal first moved to Arkansas, they had no idea they would end up the proud owners of a beloved Italian joint in Bryant. For that matter, they hadn’t yet discovered Daniel’s skill in the kitchen! But as established locals and newcomers alike walk into Pasta J’s today, they are met with the warmth of the devoted new owners and the nostalgic Italian flavors of days gone by. 

Jacquie is originally from El Salvador, coming to the United States on a youthful whim and a one-way ticket at 16. “I didn’t know what I wanted,” she laughs. “My parents separated back then. My mom was living in the US and she was like, ‘Do you want to go?’ She sent me a ticket and I came.” Daniel moved from Mexico five years later, arriving in Oakland, California where he attended college for a few years. “And then we met!” he smiles. 

They were both working in the Bay Area in the same company and in similar positions, never meeting until Jacquie needed a hand. “During that time, I was a supervisor for janitorial services. He had his own building that he was doing too, and I needed somebody to come and cover for a worker that was going to be off for a couple of weeks.” 

Jacquie didn’t know who Daniel was, but she was adamant that whoever filled in would need a work ethic to match her own. “I told my supervisor, ‘send me someone that is good; don’t send someone that is not good at working.’ And he came, and we clicked!” 

What was originally intended to be a short-term substitute ended up being a lasting role for Daniel. “I thought, this one is not getting away!” Jacquie says. Twenty-three wedded years later, it’s safe to say she was right.

A few years into marriage, Jacquie, pregnant with their daughter, came to Arkansas to visit her sister. “It was humid, it was raining, and I loved it!” The steamy climate reminded her of her tropical childhood in El Salvador. “California is beautiful, but the nature is totally different.” Daniel had an hour’s commute in Cali traffic each way to work, so an easier drive was also compelling.

They considered moving when their daughter was older, but the transition happened sooner than expected. “When the recession came, we said, ‘well, maybe it’s time to move.’ Businesses were closing, everybody was losing their homes, it was sad.” The young family then moved to Arkansas in 2008.

Upon arriving, Daniel took a job working in a kitchen. “That was the first opportunity I got,” he says. “When we moved over here, I didn’t have any experience in the kitchen.” He learned all things food from working in restaurants and worked his way up. Daniel started cooking and prepping, learning how to prepare an array of cuisines before advancing to a manager position. 

“We even owned a food truck for a while. But that was not full time, and when you are in this business, you’ve got to be full time.” Jacquie says. “So that’s when he started thinking, ‘We probably need our own place.’ And I was like, ‘Oh boy.’”

That was nearly three years ago, when they jumped all in. Daniel had the experience, but Jacquie had never worked in a restaurant. “I was a stay-at-home mom for a long time,” she says. It was a big decision for their family, but she was confident in her husband’s abilities, proudly stating, “I trusted him, because he knows how to cook anything.” 

They watched for an opportunity, and Pasta J’s in Bryant swiftly became available. “This landed in our hands, and it was meant to happen because it happened really quick.” Describing the process as essentially a transfer of ownership, Daniel says they were up and running within two weeks. 

Daniel and Jacquie had no intention of changing what was working. They kept the name, “Pasta J’s” (Pasta Jack’s, many years prior), which Jacquie found conveniently apt to recommend herself as the namesake. Daniel found the original recipes from almost 30 years ago, which he immediately employed untouched. 

This thrilled the sentiment of customers who grew up on Pasta J’s, bringing many back for a gratifying taste of the familiar. Among “pasta patrons” are friends of the original owner, former teen employees, new regulars and faithful out of towners who include Pasta J’s in their Bryant dinner plans. “It makes it special,” they express. “They all gave us a try, and they’re still coming.”

And the customers keep coming. 

The couple keeps up with the daily busyness of restaurant ownership with joy. “Pick something you love, because you will do it with love,” Daniel says.  He comes early every day, working in the back during prep and closing, and present in the front throughout dining hours. “He’s a hard worker,” his wife and teammate says.“

I’ve never known anyone who works so hard.” That legacy of hard work passes down to their daughter, a 19-year-old UCA freshman who works at the Museum of Discovery, also finding time to help mom and dad in their restaurant. 

Jacquie works in the back, making sure everything runs smoothly and taking it in with gratitude. “It’s been almost three years,” Jacquie tears up. “And we get comments that we are doing a good job. That’s what counts.” 

Their success? Daniel chalks it all up to the kindnesses of those who gave him an open door along the way. “Someone trusted me, believed in me… when you give those chances to people, this is what can happen. Someone’s got to give you the opportunity to become more.” 

The Bernal’s say it is important for them to be thankful. “We just want to thank the community for supporting us. Every customer is so important.”