Howdy’s, a beloved Malibu staple located in The Park at Cross Creek, is entering new horizons. The management, spearheaded by Malibu native Ian Roven, is introducing a plethora of new advancements to the restaurant.
Founded in West Los Angeles by Howdy Kabrins in 1979, the restaurant was originally a Mexican restaurant called La Salsa, according to its website.
In 1995, Howdy opened up Howdy’s Taqueria, which instantly became a fan favorite among Malibu natives and Pepperdine students. The restaurant unfortunately closed in 2014, but reopened in 2020.
“I grew up going to Howdy’s restaurants,” Roven said. “The food was great, but it was really the employees who made you feel like you were in a place that was better than home.”
In addition to new management, Howdy’s will intentionally develop the restaurant’s environment into a more inviting experience for everyone.
A byproduct of this new management and menus is a new exclusive menu for all Pepperdine students, faculty and staff. This new plan, influenced by fellow Waves’ opinions, will consist of new food items and combinations. Howdy’s staff will then deliver to Pepperdine during specific window times for convenience with class times, parking spots, etc.
The pricing of the new meal plan will compete with the current rates on Pepperdine’s campus, Roven states.
Roven’s nostalgic connection to Howdy’s is what mainly led him to oversee and manage the restaurant.
“We want the customers to feel like we are their home away from home,” Roven said. “I remember those vivid memories of going to Howdy’s with friends and feeling a sense of community, a unique sense of joy.”
In addition to new management, Howdy’s will be taking an intentional approach to develop the restaurant’s environment into a more inviting experience for everyone.
This will include broadcasting local sports team coverage, such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Dodgers.
“As Howdy’s partner, one of my major goals is to recreate that feeling I had growing up in Malibu,” Roven said. “Howdy’s served as that spot for me and I want it to be that spot… that second home… for you too.”
To express interest in this new meal plan from Howdy’s, complete this short survey.
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Contact Shalom Montgomery via email: shalom.montgomery@pepperdine.edu
