La Perla Del Sur (The South Pearl), also known as Ponce, Puerto Rico, is the birthplace of Jose Luis Rullan Lopez De Haro. It is the place where Jose spent his childhood and dreamed of one day owning and managing his own restaurant. This also was the place where he met the love of his life, Lillian Varela, whom he married, and together they had two beautiful girls: Amanda and Alexandra. Jose is devoted to his family and true friendship and has spent a lifetime overcoming obstacles and embracing God’s blessings.
The diverse challenges he has faced in life have brought out the best in him and have enhanced his gregarious attitude to affect all those around him. Following a motto, echoed almost daily from his cousin/brother, Franklin Alier Lopez De Haro, “De Los Cobardes No Se Ha Escrito Nada” (nothing has been written about cowards), Jose has been able to pierce through the tough skin of life injecting happiness onto others.
During his college years in the early ‘80s, Jose started working as a busboy at a hotel convention center in the town of Guayanilla, PR. Working nights, he proved that he had an honest desire to learn all of the different positions in the kitchen department. He then progressed to the salad station, and after some time was finally given the opportunity as a sous chef. While learning how to cook, he learned all about food preparation and kitchen operations. After several years, and due to the failing situation in PR, he moved to Chicago to finish his college education.
In 1985, Jose completed his bachelor’s degree in computer programming with a minor in business administration and was offered the opportunity to work at a prestigious jewelry company in Chicago. He worked as a computer operator, and within two years, due to his outstanding people skills, he was promoted to operations general manager of a chain of eight stores and more than 120 employees. He won many awards for his achievements on employee relations and customer service satisfaction, and through those efforts positioned the company at the top tier among his competitors.
While Jose was employed at the jewelry company, Baxter Healthcare Corporation learned about his leadership style and took an interest in him. In 1991, Baxter offered him the opportunity to work as a software developer for their Global Data Exchange Division.
While Jose traveled the world representing Baxter, he learned a lot about other cultures and their culinary concepts and used that knowledge to stay up to date with his culinary skills. Still employed at Baxter, he created an opportunity to start a company named Interactive Communication Systems (ICS). ICS developed a software program designed by Jose and Franklin to win the “For You Chicago” project. This project was the first, biggest and most innovative Interactive Kiosk Network in the nation. Despite these successes with this new company, Jose never stopped cooking and never forgot the satisfaction that it created for him.
In 1995, Jose returned to Puerto Rico and opened yet another company. He created Visuales Caribe Inc. This company created software solution products catered to local banks and credit unions. Currently, the company’s software is processing and protecting more than $800 million. In 2009, he met a neighbor, a military officer with whom he would often have barbecues enjoying the beautiful ambience of Juana Diaz, PR.
Over time, the barbecues became cookout competitions during which the food was subjected to intense scrutiny and friendly but harsh criticism of each other’s meals. Not only did they cook together, but they also developed a true friendship which grew stronger over the years. In fact, as life drew them closer, they found out their fathers-in-law were good friends in Chicago in the 1960s. This coincidence was remarkable and a testament to the fact that their future was meant to be. As the barbecues continued, ideas began to flourish about the possibilities of opening a restaurant in Florida.
In 2015, Jose’s neighbor, the military officer, was relocated to the Lake Nona area, and the next step in their friendship became crystal clear to everyone. In 2015, Naborias LLC was born, and after two years of intense, vigorous and overwhelming negotiations, Asados Island Grill was created through the sacrifice from all owners and their families. Jose successfully recruited Chef Marisol Colon, a renowned expert in Caribbean cuisine, who compliments and adds extraordinary value and experience to the team. Asados has given Jose the opportunity to work and create, using the concepts that he’s always embraced since he was a young man bringing him full circle to his true passion, cooking!
Asados Island Grill is a testament to the fact that a thought not acted on is only a dream!
However, when relentless action is placed behind that thought, it becomes a realistic goal that is achievable depending only on one’s will! Asados Island Grill is a unique, contemporary, fast-casual dine-in experience that focuses on creating a family environment, providing quality food and professional service based on the belief that healthy food can be affordable. Asados hopes to add value to the community by employing local residents and providing great food!
