Welcome to this episode of The Jersey Link Podcast! Jose Sanchez and co-host Kate Vargo join Eric LeGrand at LeGrand Coffee House for a conversation that feels equal parts Jersey, hustle, and heart.

They get into where that energy comes from early. Eric talks about growing up in Avenel and Woodbridge, staying close to home, and how Rutgers helped shape him. “It shaped me to who I am. Taught me toughness,” he says. That mindset shows up in every part of the conversation.

What makes this episode work is how real it feels. Eric is not talking like someone who had it all mapped out. He talks about learning on the fly, getting things wrong, and choosing to keep going anyway. “I’m not afraid to fail,” he says, and that line tells you a lot about how he moves.

There is also something really fun about hearing him talk about Woodbridge, the coffee shop, and what it means to build something in your own backyard. This is not just about opening a business. It is about creating a place people actually want to be, and then watching it become part of their lives.

The conversation also opens up into the purpose behind it all, including the foundation work that continues to give back to the spinal cord injury community. It reveals a business model fueled by personal mission, where everything from Team LeGrand, annual fundraising events, to bourbon sales feeds back into the cause.

Here are the key takeaways:

3:5 Baseball, basketball, and choosing football

7:09 Changing majors and rethinking the future

07:56 The first business before coffee

9:21 What inspired the coffee shop

11:23 Starting online before opening the shop

16:05 Why Woodbridge was the right choice

18:57 The LeGrand Coffee House experience

22:08 How bourbon gets ordered

24:29 Showing up for local events

25:21 Real advice for business owners

26:50 Why fear stops people early

28:48 Why Central Jersey works

31:11 Why Middletown was the next move

33:36 Team LeGrand and foundation work

If you like stories that feel local, honest, and full of momentum, this is one to queue up. Tune in for a side of Eric LeGrand that goes beyond the name people already know.

About Eric LeGrand

Eric LeGrand is a former Rutgers football player who turned his platform into work that reaches beyond sports. After a spinal cord injury in 2010, he continued his education, built Team LeGrand to support paralysis research, and became a speaker, broadcaster, and entrepreneur. He later launched LeGrand Coffee House in his hometown of Woodbridge and expanded into other business ventures, including bourbon. In the episode, he also speaks about staying rooted in New Jersey and building things that bring people together.

Connect with Eric:legrandcoffeehouse.com

About Katlin Vargo

Katlin Vargo is a real estate agent, focused on serving buyers, sellers, and investors in Central New Jersey. She has lived in Middlesex County for over ten years and brings a strong understanding of the local market. Outside of work, she spends time with her son, Beau, and their dog, Brooklyn, exploring nearby neighborhoods and parks.

Connect with Katlin:

Instagram

@katevargorealtor

About Jose Sanchez

Jose Sanchez is a Broker-Associate at Keller Williams Realty West Monmouth with 22 years of experience in real estate, financial sales, and business operations. He leads a team, oversees recruitment, and manages client relationships throughout the buying and selling process. Jose also directs marketing efforts and helps drive team performance. He works closely with the community to support local growth and development. His focus remains on guiding clients and building strong partnerships across the region.

Connect with Jose:

LinkedIn

Instagram

@josersanchez

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only and reflects personal stories and community perspectives. It should not be considered professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with relevant experts for guidance on specific issues.

Think about the best beer you’ve ever had. Chances are, you don’t just remember the taste. You remember where you were. A basement bar in Belgium. Oktoberfest in Munich. A moment that stuck because the beer and the place were inseparable.

In this clip, we talk about why drinking beer at the source changes everything. From the glassware and foam to the temperature and the way it’s poured, every detail matters. At Source Brewery, that experience is intentional, with multiple pouring methods and a level of care that can’t be recreated anywhere else.

This episode goes beyond the beer, diving into how Source Brewery became one of Colts Neck’s most loved gathering places, blending craft, community, and unforgettable experiences.

Catch the full episode of The Jersey Link Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep04-pouring-passion-greg-taylor-on-building-source/id1822771174?i=1000718314782

Video: https://youtu.be/gRQRlaMkhfY

Welcome back to The Jersey Link Podcast for Part 2, where Jose Sanchez and Kate Vargo pick up right where the first conversation left off and go deeper into what makes Los Bandoleros feel different. David Herrera talks about building the space by hand, cooking nearly everything in-house, and why quality matters more to him than chasing every shortcut. “I don’t want your first experience with us in a plastic box,” he says.

The episode gets into leadership in a way that feels personal and practical. David shares why Sundays stay closed for family time, why burnout kills hospitality, and why people work better when they feel valued. You can hear how much intention goes into the culture of the restaurant, not just the menu.

Jose and Kate also pull out some of the most memorable moments in the episode, from stories about staff loyalty to the little things guests never forget once they visit. David explains that every table matters, every interaction counts, and consistency is the standard even after the hype phase. “Would you serve it to your mother or grandmother?” he asks his team.

The back half also opens up into a bigger vision, possible expansion, community events, and what growth should look like without losing the heart of the place. Then the conversation turns reflective, with David sharing advice about risk, failure, faith, and what it means to rebuild yourself before trying to rebuild everything else around you. “My biggest fear is not trying at all.”

Here are the key takeaways:

(1:21) The barn wood wall build

(3:18) No DoorDash policy explained

(6:41) Hiring Danny again after Bar Louie

(11:13) Top five in East Brunswick claim

(13:38) The fake bike robbery surprise

(17:04) Fear of never trying

(34:24) Where to follow Los Bandoleros

If you are in East Brunswick or anywhere nearby, this episode gives you the full picture behind a local spot people keep talking about. Tune in to Part 2 of the David Herrera story, then follow Los Bandoleros and Chef Dave to keep up with what is coming next.

About David Herrera

David Herrera is the owner and executive chef of Los Bandoleros in East Brunswick. He built the restaurant after years working across kitchens, management roles, and independent food pop ups. His approach centers on scratch cooking, hands on hospitality, and serving the local community. Los Bandoleros reflects his focus on food made in house and a space where people feel welcome.

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/chefdaveh/?hl=en

About Katlin Vargo

Katlin Vargo is a real estate agent, focused on serving buyers, sellers, and investors in Central New Jersey. She has lived in Middlesex County for over ten years and brings a strong understanding of the local market. Outside of work, she spends time with her son, Beau, and their dog, Brooklyn, exploring nearby neighborhoods and parks.

Connect with Katlin:

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/katevargorealtor/

About Jose Sanchez

Jose Sanchez is a Broker-Associate at Keller Williams Realty West Monmouth with 22 years of experience in real estate, financial sales, and business operations. He leads a team, oversees recruitment, and manages client relationships throughout the buying and selling process. Jose also directs marketing efforts and helps drive team performance. He works closely with the community to support local growth and development. His focus remains on guiding clients and building strong partnerships across the region.

Connect with Jose:

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsanchez35/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/josersanchez

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only and reflects personal stories and community perspectives. It should not be considered professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with relevant experts for guidance on specific issues.