SANTA CLARA – On June 30 at 1:05 a.m., Jeff Fargo’s business literally went up in flames. After kitchen rags that had not properly been cleaned by the company he hired spontaneously combusted, his Santa Clara restaurant burnt to the ground in three hours.

Fargo had the option of collecting the insurance money and letting the restaurant go, but he decided to rebuild; despite the fact that it would it cost him more to reopen than he would receive from the insurance company.

Fargo’s was expected to open this month, but Fargo opened early on Jan. 14.

“We were getting antsy,” he said. “My wife was getting antsy with me being home and said, ‘Get back to work.’”

Fargo said his numbers opening weekend exceeded his expectations and was grateful for the community support.

“We are providing a hangout, where the kids can hangout, and it’s safe here,” he said. “The parents all know me and encourage (their kids) to have a good time. Almost hourly I give away food to make it more fun.”

A recent transplant from New York, Fargo has found a way to fit into the community, but still finds himself getting in trouble with the locals occasionally – as evidenced by certain reviews on Urban Spoon.

Fargo recently created a stir when he posted political jokes on his restaurant sign.

“One of the joys of not being a corporately owned business is that I can do whatever the heck I want,” he said. “If you don’t like or agree with what I’m posting on my signs, it is your right not to eat here. But for 1,700 people who came here opening week, they love the signs.”

Fargo’s is located at 2235 Santa Clara Drive. To view their special events, such as movie or karaoke night, visit them on Facebook by searching Fargo’s Drive Thru.