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MILLCREEK — Hundreds of customers lined up outside of Hector's Mexican Food on Thursday to show their support for a restaurant that's closing after 27 years in Millcreek.
"We're waiting for probably the greatest Mexican food in the state," said Luke Leclair-Marzolf, after waiting in the drive-thru for more than an hour.
Leclair-Marzolf was wearing merchandise from the restaurant, located at 2901 E. 3300 South, that's become a staple in the neighborhood. He said you can't go wrong with any item on the menu. But the California burrito is clearly a favorite.
Like so many others who waited over an hour for a burrito, he was sad to see the notice of the closure and the reason behind it.
"It's really too bad. I was a little worried when they were cutting their hours earlier," Ryder Jordin said.
Jordin and his friend arrived at the restaurant as soon as it opened Thursday and waited in a line for about an hour and 20 minutes before ordering and receiving their meal.
"It's worth it for sure," he said.
Owner Hector Uribe said he felt there wasn't much choice in deciding to close. It wasn't for a lack of customers. A notice outside the restaurant says the decision was "due to the fact that we cannot find enough staff to work."
He told KSL on Thursday, the lack of staff and reliable help "kind of forced us to make this decision."
But as he worked the drive-thru window nonstop on Thursday night, he was grateful for the support so many were offering.
Customers asked how they were doing and expressed their love and support for the restaurant and for Uribe.
"We've been in line for an hour and half waiting for you guys," one woman told him as she pulled up. "We love you guys."
Uribe kept a smile on his face as he worked, thanking each customer, some of them by name. He and his two employees knew they had their work cut out for them that night. Uribe had to call some of his family members to come and help keep up with the demand.
"We're just thankful for all the support from everybody," Uribe said.
Hector's Mexican Food will be open Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and then again on Saturday, which will be its last day.
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