The third stop on my
"Now Ya' Travelin" journey was both enlightening and
sentimental. This stop was at Andriaccio's Italian Restaurant at 4837 W.
Lake Road in Mayville, New York. For the past 25 or so years it has
served the people of Chautauqua County some of the most authentic Italian
dishes, and by far the best pizza in the region.
I say sentimental because
back in the late 50's this booming restaurant was the site of my father's
Kendall gas station. Oh how I remember those days in my youth, just to
hang out around the garage. Too young to be of any help, but still happy
to be there.
I got there about 11:30 A.M., just wanted to snap
a few pictures to put in my album and thought it best to advise the people as
to what I was doing. They were happy to hear my story of this place in
it's earlier days and advised me I should talk to the owner, Guy Andriaccio, and
oh what a "guy".
Now , the
enlightenment part. Sat down with Guy, relayed my story and he took me on
a tour. What had been the service bay, where the mechanical work was done
, was now a lovely dining area complete with a beautiful hand painted wall
mural of what I think the countryside of Italy must look like. The
ceiling was highlighted with exposed beams where the radiator hoses and fan
belts once hung.
The second dining area
was just as nice, it had been the wash bay, back when gas stations washed cars.
I said before that I was not old enough (7-8 years old) to do anything around
there but as I recall now I was allowed to wash cars. What had been
dad's desk, cash register, and counter area (where he kept the candy bars) was
now the bar area sporting all the liquor bottles and the rest of the stuff
you would find at a well stocked bar.
So, as I stated earlier, just a few pictures, 15 minutes tops
turned into 2 hours of the most delightful conversation, with my new found
friend. Then Guy insisted on making me his "special" pizza, an
offer I could not refuse, and what a treat. I could go into the
ingredients but think it best to just refer you to their web-site for fear I
would leave something out. So here it is, www.andriaccios.com, this will
take you to their extensive menu and you can also read the whole story of how
they started.
I thank Guy for the "stroll" down memory lane, the special pizza, and
the invite to the farm that I had to take a rain check on but will cash it in
next year, and the continued success of this fine eating establishment.
It was a good gas station and now it is a great restaurant, I think dad would
be well pleased.
Chef Phil
