Paradiso returning back to normal after fire caused hundreds of thousands in damages

(Fargo, ND) -- After a few days of uncertainty, things are progressing back to normal at one popular restaurant following a gut punch of a fire last week.

Paradiso Mexican Restaurant re-opened officially March 27th after a fire ripped through the front of the building, causing more damage than management originally thought.

"Definitely didn't think it was as bad as it was," said Branch Manager Neil Clause on WDAY Midday. "We just kept finding more issues with the cleaning process that extended our closure by a few days."

Clause says the good news is community support was pouring in with questions about the popular eatery.

"We still get calls from folks asking if we're open yet," said Clause. "The good news is our customers will not be too effected by what happened here."

As for renovations, Clause says things should be wrapped up in roughly three months, but once you get inside the restaurant you can hardly tell there was any damage.

"The only thing you may notice is a tiny bit of a smokey smell, kind of like a camp fire." Clause adds he's just happy his employees, who got a little break with the temporary closure, are back and continue to work hard to serve the folks of the Red River Valley.