Sports bar gets city approval to open at former Denny’s

Waitresses at Ojos Locos sports bar, as seen on the restaurant’s Instagram page. The restaurant gained approval from the planning commission to open at the former Denny’s on Firestone Boulevard.

DOWNEY – A controversial restaurant project gained approval from the Planning Commission, despite concerns over its scantily-clad waitresses and safety.

Ojos Locos Sports Cantina is a chain restaurant with 21 locations across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Located at 8350 Firestone Blvd., this will be the first California location.

It is the previous site of Denny’s, which operated there from 1987 to 2020.

Plans call for the demolition of the former Deny’s building, and the construction of a new 8,947 square foot building.

The establishment is already raising some eyebrows.

Commissioner Horacio Ortiz argued that the image of the potential was more “adult oriented,” specifically pointing out that the waitresses seem to wear only lingerie.

However, for the business to be categorized as such clientele would need to enter for a specific activity related to an adult-oriented business, according to staff. Because the business is classified as a restaurant, city planning has no control over the “uniform” of its employees.

A representative of Ojos Locos clarified that the specific attire in question was limited to “special events,” and that the restaurant would be open to working with the city if the attire was deemed to be an issue.

Ultimately though, the Planning Commission held no ultimate sway over the matter, and could only vote on the conditions of staff report and findings in front of them.

There were also concerns over safety.

According to Downey Police Department Lt. Vince Rosario, other locations have contended with criminal activity including shootings, stabbings, and problems with outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Commissioner Art Montoya said it was a “difficult decision.”

“It’s a restaurant that has a business model that seems to be successful in other locations in multiple states…but I do see the concerns that there is potential for loud music, that there’s concerns of the attires of the employees as well as the safety concerns that could be drawn to the establishment,” said Montoya.

“I am very concerned that Ojos Locos would be detrimental to the health and welfare and safety of our youth, specifically because it’s so near Downey High School, senior citizens, and areas where families do gather,” said Ortiz. “As [Lt. Rosario] mentioned, there have been shootings, and there have been stabbings and issues at other locations.”

“It’s a hard vote for me. I just don’t know where we can draw the line.”

Despite these concerns, the project was approved 3-1, with Ortiz in opposition and Commissioner Carrie Uva abstaining.

Ojos Locos is anticipated to operate seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sundays through Wednesdays and 11 am to 2 am Thursdays through Saturdays. The restaurant will also feature a DJ from 6 p.m. to 1:30 am on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and from 6 pm to 11:30 am on Sundays.

At least four security guards will be present during peak hours, from 6 pm through 30 minutes past closing time on Thursdays through Sundays, when live entertainment is provided. The number of guards can be increased if needed.

An approximate 120 full-time and part-time jobs will be created.