Serendipity

Hey there,

I went to Stella's Restaurant last night and had a very enjoyable experience and I highly recommend the place for a good time. Stella's is on Broadway a few blocks south of Belmont and I have been eating there for eight years. You notice that I recommend it for a good time - not that the food is bad, it is certainly good, fresh food, but the atmosphere is just like a diner in your home town.

I usually eat breakfast there, at anytime of day, because that is my favorite meal. I can have some juice with it and get my carbs and protein and fat. It is not gourmet, but the staff is unbelievable friendly and accomodating,

Last night Gus, the owner, came over and chatted until my food came, and I found out that the Stella's has been there since 1962, started by his parents, who were Greek immigrants. It has had other names, I know, but it has been Stella's for most of the time that I have been in Chicago.

One of the first questions I asked was how does he get and keep such great wait staff and bus people. He said that he hires on personality and trains to his standards. That is his job - quality control - and the cash register when he is there. He figures that if he gets the people with the right frame of mind and good nature that he can train them in the skills he needs, after all it isn't rocket science.

I know there at least a couple people who have been there as long as I have been eating there, and everyone is friendly, like your best friend, and makes sure that you are satisfied. There is also the outside seating - late spring, summer, and fall - which makes eating also a people watching event.

Gus explained how he got his standards from his dad and Greek traditions, with freshly prepared food. He calls out to many customers walking by and in the place, but although I told him my name, I am sure that he won't remember it and will call me Bud, Guy, etc., whatever he is calling everyone else. He is loud and makes the atmosphere very light. When someone drops a dish or glass you hear the opah! from the homeland (and perhaps from Zorba the Greek).

I heard about how the place was surrounded by smoke and fire when the Dominicks burned down several years ago but miraculously did not burn itself. This was the explanation of why he was operating a couple years ago when a storm hit the neighborhood and no one else had power. He got his own transformer after the fire.

I see his wife and son and nephew working, and there are probably other relatives employed regularly or from time to time. They all provide great service.

I talked about going back to Greece sometime and he offered his wife as a travel consultant and many cousins and nephews in Greece to take care of me. He said that I would get great service as they would all be concerned that I give a good report to Gus.

I asked him about the tatoo on his right arm of the beautiful lady and he said that was his 20th anniversery present to his wife. She was so impressed that he is now generally off the hook now when it comes to presents.

Well, I didn't intend to write about Gus and Stella's today, but it was such a refreshing experience that I had to share it with you. Back to my other topics before long.

Take care.