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I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Michael Thomas, one of the owners of Chico’s Tres Hombres Long Bar and Grill. Michael Thomas and Johnny Scurto are partners of Tres Hombres, with locations in Chico and Petaluma.

 Early Life

Growing up in Humboldt County, Michael Thomas decided to attend Sacramento State to major in Environmental Studies. After graduating, he didn’t plan on pursuing a career in his field of studies, so he decided to move to Lake Tahoe to enjoy the beautiful climate and partake in his interests of skiing and hiking. He worked at Northstar for five years before he “fell into” the restaurant business. He began working at the Tres Hombres in Tahoe in 1975, initially as a busser, but gradually moving his way up. After some time spent away pounding nails in construction, Michael decided that the restaurant business had much more to offer. He returned to the Tahoe Tres Hombres, and was hired as manager of the restaurant.  He worked there in the early 80’s, until an opportunity arose for him to start a restaurant in San Diego with his partner, Johnny Scurto. The restaurant was named “Charlies.” After running Charlies for approximately a year, Michael received a call from Johnny telling him that there was an empty building in Chico, CA he was interested in. Michael had never heard of Chico, and when he arrived to meet his partner he received a warm, 100°F+ welcome. Michael and Johnny sat down in the building of 100 Broadway Street and began brainstorming the restaurant design over a beer. It was here that Tres Hombres Chico was born.