Fat & Happy Pub & Grub now open for business

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The name “Fat & Happy” was chosen as a playful expression for being content and prosperous in life. The restaurant offers table dining and take-out.

Fat & Happy Pub & Grub is the newest eatery in Canyon Lake. The restaurant is now open in the Towne Center, location formerly occupied by Jimmy’s Cafe. The owners are excited and proud to offer what they feel is a comfortable environment to enjoy quality food prepared fresh daily.

Canyon Lakers Remy and Amber Rodriguez are self-proclaimed “foodies” who enjoy fresh, quality meals. The couple, with partners/friends/fellow Canyon Lakers Robert (Bobby) and Amy Mason, already owns a gourmet sandwich restaurant in Upland called “The Sand Witch.”

They bought The Sand Witch on a whim after discovering their favorite sandwich place was going out of business. With the business knowledge of the two men, along with Amber and Amy’s previous restaurant experience, they decided to “take a chance and go for it.”

The Sand Witch has been very successful, but Remy and Amber wanted more. They wanted to offer delicious food to friends and neighbors and still be close to their home and children. “Who doesn’t want a restaurant in their own backyard!”

When asked about their inspiration for the new restaurant, Amber says she and Remy eat out quite a bit. They love and appreciate good, fresh, quality food and originality. However, they often are dissatisfied with the quality of the food they’re served.

“We knew we could do so much better and serve people the quality food they want rather than the frozen and highly processed food we were being served,” she says.

In 2016 the timing felt right. With the success of their sandwich shop, and with Jimmy’s Cafe now closed, Remy and Amber partnered with Bobby and Amy to open Fat & Happy Pub & Grub in Canyon Lake. The two couples are equal partners, each having their own role and working as a team.

Remy, Amber, Bobby and Amy did all the work of setting up the restaurant themselves. They chose to serve food they love to eat and, with both men being “obsessed” with sports, decided to have plenty of TV screens so no one would miss a game.

They enjoy a rustic, casual, cozy feel and wanted a place that, in addition to great food and place to gather, would make everyone feel at home. Amber and Amy left the decorating up to the men and say, “We were so impressed with our husbands’ decor job! They did great!”

When choosing the all-important name, they decided on “Fat & Happy.” Says Amber, “It’s a playful expression for being content and prosperous in life. Don’t take life too seriously!” The name stands for what life is all about: Do what you love, eat good food, do whatever it is that makes you happy!”

All four of the partners moved to Canyon Lake around the same time: about five years ago. Remy and Amber have been together about four years and were married last November. Amber says they love Canyon Lake so much they even held their ceremony at the Country Club. They have two children: Camden, 14, is a student at Canyon Lake Middle School, and their first son together, Gunner, is 2 years old. Bobby and Amy have been married for three years and are expecting their first child in August.

When asked what they like about life in Canyon Lake, Amber responds with enthusiasm, “We love the small town family feel. We love all the amenities and all the family-friendly events. We pretty much love everything about Canyon Lake!” She further notes that the amenities have no comparison!

Both families are very active. Remy plays indoor soccer, golf and poker. He also does home financing. Amber spends her (limited) spare time sewing, woodworking and crafting. She also loves boating. Together they enjoy snowboarding, traveling and playing with their kids. Bobby also enjoys playing golf and poker. He likes working on computers and helping people with insurance. Amy is a local dental hygienist. She enjoys running, woodworking, sewing, crafting and playing bunco. Together the couple loves boating and traveling.

With Fat & Happy Pub & Grub so close, these friends and partners are looking forward to more family time in their favorite community.

It’s fun to note that Remy and Bobby first met years ago in high school. They lost contact until they happened to run into each other at the Lodge. “You never know who you’ll run into in this little bit of paradise!” Now they are best of friends and owners of two restaurants.

The partners hope that Fat & Happy will become a favorite location to enjoy a quality meal and watch a favorite game. They are currently working on getting their license to serve beer and plan to offer local craft brews.

Amber says her favorite part of owning and working at Fat & Happy is meeting all the great people in the community.

Fat & Happy will be offering specials to Canyon Lake residents – watch for coupons/deals in local magazines and The Friday Flyer. Currently, they are offering 10 percent off for Canyon Lakers.

Fat & Happy Pub & Grub is located at 31652 Railroad Canyon Rd. (where Jimmy’s Cafe used to be). They are open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and offer both table seating and take-out. They have an Instagram page: getfatandhappy. “Like” them on Facebook at Fat & Happy Pub & Grub or call them at 951-244-5657.