From NYC to Dallas - Our Family Restaurants

The Splendid Cafe - NYC

Posted by Chris - After almost a century in the restaurant business there's no end to the restaurant stories my family can tell. Thousands of people have walked through our doors and eaten our food...and just as we've left an impression on them, they've left an impression on us. Next week when we get together for Thanksgiving, the conversation will invariably turn to the past and to those family members and customers who have meant so much to us.

It was my Greek grandfather who opened our first family restaurant in America. There he is seated at the counter in the photo above with his brothers and staff surrounding him. The Splendid Cafe opened in NYC in 1910 and served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. What I wouldn't give for one of those original menus. Check out the cigars and cigar boxes on the right.



The Bar-B-Q Matic - Akron, Ohio

This was our next restaurant - the Bar-B-Q Matic in Akron, Ohio. 1940. It was famous for the rosemary and garlic rotisserie chickens that turned in the window. My grandfather, "Pop" - as us grandkids called him - had the ingenious idea to position the vent so that the aroma of the roasting birds wafted out into the street and drew in a hungry and faithful clientele. It was also known for its broiled steaks and chops.

  

             

The Golden Nugget - Dallas, Texas

And then came - Dallas. The Golden Nugget was located on Harry Hines Blvd. back when Harry Hines was Restaurant Row. People rode their horses there and tied them up out front. Each cowhide booth had its own juke box which played great old Country Western songs and there was also a big Wurlitzer in back. We loved the saddle-seats at the counter, the wagon-wheel chandeliers, and the longhorns that hung on the walls. I was so young I had to climb up on the tables to bus them. The Golden Nugget served everything from eggs in the skillet to hamburgers, spaghetti, ribs, and our delicious Mexican platter.



The Papageorge Family in front of the Bar-B-Q Matic in Akron, Ohio



...and in front of Lefty's in 1995

We've served our finest to Laborers, Dignitaries, the Famous, and the Infamous

Much more to come.....

Click photos to Enlarge

Papageorge Family Photos All Rights Reserved

Actor Matt Barr Loves Lefty's Lobster

It's always a thrill when a celebrity mentions 'Lefty's' as one of their favorite spots. Heart-throb actor and Allen, Tx. native, Matt Barr, and his family have been loyal Lefty's customers for years. Barr, the star of the CW series Hellcats, One Tree Hill, Commander in Chief, and Harper's Island was profiled on Channel 33 this week and a film crew was sent to Lefty's to shoot some footage.

Thank You, Matt, for choosing Lefty's as one of your favorite places.

Click on to Matt's highlighted name to visit his website.

Photos (c) C. Andrako 2010 All Rights Reserved

Lunch at Lefty's

Hi everybody. Chris' wife, Pilar here. I stopped by Lefty's for lunch yesterday and I saw lots of new faces in the crowd. When sunlight streams into that big, red dining room there's a whole different ambience from the night before. Customers tell us it's like getting two restaurants in one...and we agree.

The menu's different, too....but the emphasis is always on the fresh and seasonal. If you've never joined us for lunch you'll want to try one of our fried shrimp or oyster po' boys, our big salads with your choice of shrimp, chicken, salmon, or lobster, or our popular cheeseburger. (We're told it's the best in the city.) I couldn't decide between two of the specials yesterday - the Ahi Tuna Burger or the Fried Lobster Po' Boy. There's my final choice, above. Love those Lobster Po' Boys!

Have you had our potato salad? This is the real deal. The real old-fashioned, like Mama used to make, picnic potato salad. In fact, the recipe is from one of the great cooks of all time - the Matriarch of our family - Norma. We've had customers order it for their parties by the gallon. Our East coast sister-in-law has half of Brooklyn making this potato salad! Come try it.

Lefty's is open for Lunch - Monday thru Friday - 11:00 to 2:00

Photograph (c) C. Andrako 2010 All Rights Reserved

Home Away from Home

If you can't make it to the East Coast this weekend you know where to go. Lefty's is a mecca for the homesick Easterner - and for anybody who craves the ambience of a cozy, seaside tavern.



We just got in some beautiful, fresh Alaskan Halibut and the Chef's making Bouillabaise with fresh, sweet shellfish from the East Coast.

...and save room for a slice of our Coconut Creme Pie!

See you at Lefty's.

Photos (c) C. Andrako 2009 All Rights Reserved

See You at Lefty's

It's Friday...and you know what that means. Our loyal regulars will be knocking off early and meeting up at Lefty's to get a headstart to their weekend. We hear there's a familiar face back in town. Mr. Watson, I presume?

If you'd like to make a Reservation you can make it right from our Facebook page. Click on to the Facebook badge on the right and when you arrive on our page click the 'Reservations' tab and 'Voila!' you're linked to 'Open Tables'.

Our chef has been inspired by the cooler weather, so come see what's cooking tonight. On Wednesday night he made this spicy, Mexican soup which received rave reviews from our diners. The crispy herb toasts were the perfect accompaniment. Fresh and seasonal is the way we do it at Lefty's.

While over at Facebook, don't forget to 'Like' our page by clicking the Thumbs Up icon at the top of the page. You'll receive an update to your Wall every time we post. Thanks for stopping by. See you at Lefty's.

Photos (c) C. Andrako 2010 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome to Lefty's Blog

Here it is! Welcome to Lefty's blog. This is where we'll be bringing you great stories, photos, and updates on the restaurant you've called your favorite for over 15 years. Our grandfather opened his first restaurant in NYC in 1910 and we're proud to be carrying on that tradition three generations later. Click on for posts and photos of our family history, our spectacular dishes, our affordable wine list...and for posts about YOU - our loyal (and sometimes crazy and eccentric) clientele.

Whenever we post here, a snippet will arrive on our Facebook page with a direct link to our blog. Lefty's blog will be our on-line magazine with vibrant photography, articles, and contributing writers. So, join us here on Blogger and over at Facebook, too - where you'll find photo albums filled with the memories that have made Lefty's your choice for celebrating special occasions.

Stay tuned for much more to come.

"See You at Lefty's"

Photo (c) C. Andrako 2010 All Rights Reserved