Andy’S Restaurant & Company

By Allen Savva

This book is the story of how a man came to the United States, bringing with him his experience as a cook in the military. Not knowing what the future would hold, he soon met a young lady and took her as his wife. The two of them started down a road that would bring them great respect and love not only from their family but from each person who would come through the doors of their restaurant over the years. Although they are not with us today, Andy and Mary have left a special part of themselves, along with a legacy of dedication and hard work, showing hospitality for everyone and giving to the end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496921925

Allen Savva

Allen Savva has written this book to honor his mother and father and to recall the people who got to know and love his family in a little town called Madison. He grew up working in his dad’s restaurant and was taught responsibility and respect for himself, his parents, and the people he saw day to day. He got to know these people as friends in a place where everyone knew each other on a first-name basis. This town was full of excitement for a kid growing up. Whether rich or poor, the people Allen met taught him lessons that he remembers to this day. He hopes to touch readers’ hearts in a special way and to show that Andy’s wasn’t just a restaurant but a place where people would meet, enjoy Greek hospitality, and leave as friends.

Book preview

© 2014 Allen Savva. All rights reserved.

Photo credits:

West Virginia State Archives

Coal Valley News."

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/02/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-2193-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-2192-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014911280

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Introduction

How It All Began

Celebrities Stop By

Always Ready to Help

Life at the Restaurant

The Regulars

Small-Town Pleasures

Family Stories

The Police Blotter

Dad’s Background and Legacy

The Family Always Came First

Changed but Still the Same

About the Author

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Introduction

This book tells the story of how one Greek man met a shy, bony-kneed, young hillbilly named Mary Jo after he was discharged from the army and came to the United States from Cyprus. More than five thousand miles from home, he spoke only broken English and his pockets were empty. Many struggles and triumphs lay ahead, but with raw will and ambition he and his family faced the unknown and would soon have a vision. This dream would become a place still talked about and remembered by the thousands who came through its doors, the one and only Andy’s Restaurant. These people will always have a special place in our hearts. Whether or not you were a part of Andy’s, this book will show you how a vision can make you do the impossible, like my dad did. A special thanks goes to Rick Abraham, C. R. Duncan, members of the West Virginia State Police and their families, and the men of the electric company.

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How It All Began

As a young boy, Andy filled sandbags for fishing boats on the island of Cyprus, taking what he’d make back home to buy food. He became a cook in the United States army in 1951 and was discharged as a corporal in 1954. After his arrival in Charleston, West Virginia, Andy found a job as a cook at a restaurant/bar called the Brass Rail, around the same year eventually leaving for a place named Hodo’s. He worked hard and saved his money. Dad’s Greek friends knew Mom, who worked at another café in town and lived with her aunt, Corey C. Louis. They introduced the two. Mary Jo, a shy, skinny, country girl from Hewitt, West Virginia, was born on March 23, 1937, to Cyrus