"It's been really difficult because we lost every single thing we had," Tony Banuelos said in an interview with ABC7. "The insurance compensates for whatever you can prove you had, and whatever you're covered -- but a lot of things, they're not covered."
Banuelos, the owner of Jake's Roadhouse in Monrovia, said this year has been a series of challenges.
Monrovia restaurant owner, whose home was destroyed in Eaton Fire, hopes for business rebound
"It's frustrating because I have done everything that you're supposed to do -- working hard, having a family, doing everything we're supposed to do," Banuelos said. "And losing everything and having nowhere to go for help. What do you do?"
The next hurdle was getting building plans approved for his home. Plus, Banuelos said, business has slowed amid recent raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Southern California and nationwide.
"At this moment it's still really bad because, what do you do? The only thing I have going for me is the restaurant," Banuelos said, "but if I don't get busy like it used to be, it's going to be devastating. It's really ... really tough. So, it should be a good journey."
Banuelos finally got the building plans approved. The silver lining is seeing construction start on his new home, he said.
"I can start thinking positive again," he said. "I want my house. Hopefully, within a year I can move back."