While some well-known businesses have closed as Guam’s tourism industry works to recover, one Tumon restaurant is making a comeback with help from the community. As the island’s visitor industry slowly rebounds, Tony Roma’s is back open at the Royal Orchid Guam Hotel in Tumon with a revamped look. 

The restaurant known for their ribs shut down abruptly last August after 40 years. Soon after, husband-and-wife team Dennis and Nathalie Lang stepped-in. They’re also the owners of Boonies Barkade N’ Bistro, located just next door. And they say taking over was never part of the plan.

Nathalie Lang said, "The opportunity just kind of presented itself. We had really no interest in doing another restaurant because we just opened a bowling alley. We just expanded a 10,000-square foot over at Boonies."

What changed their minds was the reaction from the community. Nathalie added, "The biggest thing though was all of the comments we read online with Tony Roma’s closing and how sad everyone was. We were sad because they’ve been really good neighbors to us since we’ve opened. Then we talked to WDI, the former owners, then decided that we could maybe do this."

Another key factor was the return of longtime general manager Rusk Hirosak, along with 80 percent of the original staff. Dennis Lang shared, "If he wouldn’t have come back, we probably wouldn't have done it. 30 years of experience and 80 [percent] of the crew is still here. Watching them perform for the last two nights is just like a well-oiled machine."

Hirosak started as a busboy in 1995 and has seen the impact of low visitor arrivals firsthand, as he said, "Right after Covid, tourism went down. You guys see it already. We tried for five years to pick it up again." Now, he says business is picking up.

"We got a lot of calls, calling to make reservations. Actually, Christmas for lunch time is already fully booked."

The Langs say a unique collaboration between Tony Roma’s and Boonies will also drive traffic. Boonies offers a sprawling 10,000 square foot family friendly entertainment venue with countless games, a karaoke room and a new bowling alley. 

"So when people want to order platters from Tony Roma’s, they can bring it to Boonies for no extra fee so they can utilize games and rooms. And vice versa," she said.

Dennis chimed in by adding, "If they get an entree here, then they get to go bowling or play free games. I think they will feed each other."

Despite other businesses closing this year like Funtastic Park and Hard Rock Cafe, the Langs say the secret to their success is their loyal customer base who see their hard work.  "It’s scary, but I think because we’re hands on owners, we get to put in our ethics, our integrity and our hard work," said Nathalie.

They’re already planning more expansion, adding seating at Tony Roma’s and new games at Boonies, betting on Guam’s continued tourism recovery.