Oren Molovinsky with Farmboy Restaurant and Deborah Bernett with Arizona Grass Raised Beef Co
Farmboy Market, Meats, Sandwiches was conceived as a fast-casual restaurant concept, following the founder’s decades of operating farmer’s markets, catering operations, fine dining restaurants, delicatessens, and fast casual burger restaurants.
Farmboy takes the time-honored tradition of Wood-Smoked Meats (aka barbecue) – and blends it with the quintessential sandwich/sub, that have each been some of the most popular cuisines throughout the United States. Guests at Farmboy enjoy authentic Smoked Meats and Sandwiches, in a rustic and comfortable environment. The restaurant is designed specifically to ensure an engaging dine-in experience or a quick and efficient carry-out experience. The meats are primarily smoked or grilled, using real wood, ensuring a “low and slow” approach to barbecue.
The traditional culinary elements of Farmboy are accentuated by locally sourced ingredients, with meats that are raised and butchered nearby. Artisan bread is baked on site, with Heritage grains grown in Arizona. Our fresh fruits and vegetables are grown by local farmers and are typically harvested right before they are delivered. We strive to purchase whole foods and ingredients that are not processed, and if minimally so, they are handled by small family-owned operations that handle as much of the process as possible.
Sandwiches are topped to the guest’s preference, with made-from-scratch ingredients; making for an unforgettable sandwich experience. Farmboy merges the ease and accessibility of a quick service sandwich shop, with the culinary distinction of a top-notch barbecue joint. All of these elements culminate in a menu that is rich in variety; yet simple and appealing to everyone. Other menu items include a Farmer’s Salad; Chili’s & Soups; Breakfast Sandwiches and Burritos; and a Taco or Tortilla Wrap option for any sandwich. Price points for farm-to-table cuisine are typically very high, and available only in upscale restaurants. Farmboy solves this omnivore’s dilemma by utilizing the “nose to tail” approach to meat purchasing; taking advantage of the “lesser cuts” by using traditional smoking methods, which turns top rounds into tender roast beef; chuck roasts and briskets into rich cuts of smoked beef; and the trimmings for wood-grilled burgers (sliders). Local poultry is smoked whole, one of greatest delights of smoked meats. Pork is smoked by the “half hog”, with almost all the delicious cuts blended into pulled pork; all prepared in front of the guest in a large wood smoker; displayed for all guests to see the entire cooking process unfold.
Catering and bulk meat orders are very popular for families, local businesses, and events; given the popularity of both barbeque and sandwich catering. Delivery is offered for pre-ordered catering and bulk orders; however, individual delivery of menu items is outsourced to 3rd party vendors (i.e. Door Dash).
Arizona Craft Beers and Wines are offered and are carefully selected to pair well with our menu items. Farmboy also offers a traditional Margarita cocktail, over ice, made with “Naked Juice” and 3 Amigos Organic Tequila, which is farmed and distilled in Jalisco, Mexico by an Arizona farming family.
Farmboy highlights the best of Arizona; with an emphasis on excellent quality, and a menu that appeals to all diners. However, behind the menu lies a deep- rooted passion for building the local family farm economy, and bringing farmers and producers together with their community.
Oren Molovinsky, President and Operating Partner, Farmboy Market, has been working in restaurants since 1986; and in foodservice management since 1990. With a rich career working his way up from a dishwasher and prep cook, through the ranks to his most recent position as Vice President of Operations for a major national fast casual burger restaurant chain. Oren has opened and operated well over 70 restaurants in his career; including Delicatessens, bagel cafes, hotel restaurants, fine dining restaurants, and most recently has been the largest operator of the rapidly growing Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Oren has led the opening of over 25 Freddy’s; and currently operates 49 Freddy’s in 10 states throughout the US.
Prior to moving to Arizona with his wife Diana, and their 5 kids in 2011; Oren was the managing partner of several fine dining restaurants in the Washington, DC area for over 9 years. In this role, Oren led a group of restaurateurs and chefs to form a buyers group, which purchased meats, cheeses, eggs, vegetables and fruits from local farmers and producers; mostly in Virginia. Oren personally coordinated the farm tours, purchasing agreements, processing, and logistics of getting all of these meats from “farm to table”. This group, known as Farm to Table DC, purchase an average of $1,000,000 per year of local, natural & organic products. All of these funds went directly to the producers, there were no middlemen. Oren became an expert in developing “nose to tail” menus; which is a culinary term for purchasing all the meat and edible items from the cattle, pigs, lamb, and chickens that the group could purchase. This led to many farms and farming communities expanding their capacity to provide for the many chefs who were clamoring for local products.
In 2011, Oren and his family had the opportunity to move to Arizona, to be closer to family. He and his wife Diana purchased 3.5 acres in Chandler, AZ on a Maricopa County island, which is now Mo’lovin Farms. Installing an irrigation system that feeds off of the Roosevelt Water District Canal, Oren & Diana have planted over 350 fruit trees and plants. Additionally, they have successfully planted and harvested heirloom vegetables and will continue to do so. The Molovinsky’s are committed to farming organically, without the use of any chemicals. Growing organically ensures superior soil, and the result is superior produce.
Oren is also a partner, and the President of a critically acclaimed restaurant in Arlington, VA called Mala Tang. Together with his operating partner, Liming Zhang, Oren has been able to bring authentic Sichuan cuisine from the revered food city of Chengdu, China, with an emphasis on Hot Pot dining.
Connect with Oren on Linkedin, and follow Farmboy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arizona Grass Raised Beef Co is a 100% grass fed and grass finished beef company located right here in Arizona. They have their own ranches, their own USDA inspected processing plant and a USDA inspected kitchen where they make Bone Broth and other further processed items. This is important because they are fully integrated and have full control of their finished product. They are passionate about humanely raised cattle and sustainable ranching practices. All of their cattle are naturally bred, born and are raised in our beautiful state where they forage for food their entire lives and consume native grasses, water and AZ sunshine. They never use antibiotics, hormones or feedlots in their operation. Arizona Grass Raised Beef Co is third party verified through the American Grassfed Association. This is the way cattle should be raised, benefiting not only the people but the environment as well.
Deborah Bernett’s background out of college was in the area of meat distribution. The next step in her career was partial ownership of a meat brokerage company here in Arizona where she’d represent large commercial packers across the country. After some time off she, her husband and their partner, Tim Petersen, began ranching together and one thing led to another and Arizona Grass Raised Beef Co. was formed.
Follow Arizona Grass Raised Beef Co on Facebook and Instagram.