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Influencer eats her way through New York

Jessica Meditz on December 7, 2022

Bria Braithwaite engages 100K+ audience, supports restaurant industry

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Braithwaite recently hit 100,000 followers on her Instagram page, @goodeatsonlynyc.

With her iPhone, ring light and zest for life, Brooklyn-based influencer, Bria Braithwaite, strives to engage her audience and support the local restaurant industry.

Braithwaite, 29, who’s a resident of Bed-Stuy, runs @goodeatsonlynyc on Instagram and @briotchhh on TikTok, where she has 102k and 31.8k followers, respectively.

Originally from Wisconsin, Braithwaite relocated to Jamaica, Queens to attend St. John’s University, where she studied communication with a focus on marketing and business.

Braithwaite works in finance full-time, but says that her lifelong passion for food made her decision to become an influencer fairly easy.

“I’m not just a foodie, I do work full time, too…so being able to take my hobby and kind of put it on such a pedestal has been super exciting,” she said. “I basically eat my way through New York and offer recommendations to anybody in the tri-state area or looking to visit and have some good food.”

Braithwaite’s account, @goodeatsonlynyc, has a colorful and engaging feed.

One of the things she loves the most about being a foodie is the fact that she’s always on her toes, ready to try a new cuisine or restaurant and share that sentiment with her audience.

Braithwaite visits a variety of community staples throughout Brooklyn and Queens, as well as the Bronx, Manhattan and New Jersey, to name a few, to highlight small businesses and hidden gems.

“I would definitely say that I like to seek out new experiences in flavor. My end goal is to always find new, innovative or emerging restaurants that I feel would pair well with my audience. I’m always trying to think outside the box or go to places that I would 100 percent recommend…places that I would go to on the daily,” she said.

Braithwaite also understands that many people are picky eaters, and she strives to make her content accessible and enjoyable for everyone. She also adores the fact that this career allows her to be adventurous.

“I do try to find some simple eats in conjunction with some things that maybe people don’t eat on a regular basis…so kind of bridging the gap between people who are looking to explore, but may not be as adventurous, so they can kind of dip their feet in a little bit,” she said.

Braithwaite definitely feels the support of her large audience, as she grew quickly since she started her Instagram account in February of this year.

“I remember when I first posted, I just thought it might be a little bit challenging to kind of conquer Instagram, understand the algorithm and how things work,” she recalled. “But everything kind of worked in my favor, and it just took off.”

In fact, she actually started her influencing journey on TikTok, which began with casual posting and something just for fun. However, one of her first TikTok videos went viral, inspiring her to keep going.

Braithwaite strongly feels that local restaurants are the heart and soul of our communities, and said that she takes pride in being able to give many restaurant owners and small businesses exposure through her content.

“Throughout the journey, I’ve met so many other foodies, and so many different restaurant owners and businesses within that realm. My focus in finding a lot of hidden gems that are small businesses now is more of paying it forward, because I’m so appreciative of their support,” she said. “Because those are the restaurants that I would frequent in my neighborhood or that I always wanted to try, and then I got the opportunity to put them on a platform, giving them more visibility and exposure, is just really nice,” she continued.

Three-alarm fire at Metro Deli shocks community

Jessica Meditz on December 7, 2022

Over 100 firefighters battled the flames. Photo: FDNY via Facebook.

Residents of Middle Village and travelers on Metropolitan Avenue watched in awe as flames tore through Metro Deli last Wednesday.

The fire began at 67-30 Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village at around 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 30. According to New York City Fire Department (FDNY) officials, the fire was classified as a two-alarm fire originally, but was reclassified as a three-alarm fire at about 8:20 a.m.

Within four minutes, units arrived at the deli and were able to respond quickly, keeping the fire contained.

FDNY officials say over 100 firefighters battled the flames, which left the deli and the now-closed Juniper Tavern directly beside it damaged.

“This morning at approximately 7:30 we received a phone call reporting a fire at 67-30 Metropolitan Avenue. Our units arrived within four minutes and made quick work containing the fire considering how much fire we had on arrival in the rear of the Deli. Units were able to contain the fire to the Deli and the adjoining exposure building,” said FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Frank Leeb from the scene. “This fire went to a 3rd alarm assignment. There are currently no injuries reported. The fire is now under control and the cause is under investigation by our FDNY Fire Marshals.”

As a result of the fire, Metropolitan Avenue from 65th Place to 69th Street was closed off due to emergency response. Additionally, M train service was limited and buses that stopped near the location had to be detoured temporarily.

Various agencies, including the NYPD, DOB, DOHMH, MTA, Con Edison, NYC Emergency Management and SBS were notified and responded to the incident, according to a Facebook post from local Councilman Robert Holden.

“The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) has placed the incident as ‘under control’ as of 9:30 AM, and my office will continue to monitor the situation,” he wrote in the post.

Stop signs, crosswalks added to intersection of Stanhope St. and Fairview Ave.

Jessica Meditz on November 30, 2022

Safety signals approved by DOT following group’s activism

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Residents rallied earlier this year to express their concerns of Stanhope Street and Fairview Avenue. Photo: Erik Augustine

Following residents’ months of advocacy and pleading with the DOT, new stop signs have been implemented at the intersection of Stanhope Street and Fairview Avenue in Ridgewood.

As of Dec. 1, crosswalks are now at the intersection.

Residents say the intersection, just steps away from Grover Cleveland Park, has been a danger to pedestrians and the community at large for as long as 20 years.

In late 2019, a man was hit by a car and killed at this intersection, and other residents have said they felt unsafe crossing the street due to the lack of safety signals.

In response, Ridgewood residents Nicole Galpern and Becca Kauffman co-founded Crosswalk Fantasy Committee early this year.

The goal of the organization is to raise awareness of the intersection, get the community involved and make requests to the DOT in hopes to achieve the goal of stop signs and crosswalks at the T-shaped intersection.

Crosswalk Fantasy Committee has been advocating for safety signals at the intersection since early this year.

“It just became this glaring, strange void in city infrastructure. You could just stand there for minutes upon end and never get any reprieve from drivers,” Kauffman said.

“We felt like it was going to be important to amplify the voices of the neighbors here and their experience of the street, because unlike someone sitting at an office at the Department of Transportation receiving a uniform request, these people are actually on the ground experiencing the dangers of being a pedestrian in their own area.”

Galpern shared that she and Kauffman both became passionate about making the intersection safer, and wanted to put in the work to get the safety signals implemented.

The team was in constant communication with the DOT since March, submitting requests, making phone calls and sending their petition — which garnered over 600 signatures following the rally they held at the intersection on March 19.

They also spoke with Community Board 5, who submitted a letter to the DOT on their behalf. They also received support from community leaders such as Juan Ardila, Councilman Robert Holden and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.

In addition to the standard bureaucratic, straightforward ways of getting the request off the ground, Crosswalk Fantasy Committee wanted to execute their mission in a creative and engaging way.

“I loved the idea of a more creative approach to this, doing something more colorful and not making a civic duty so dreary in our neighborhood. I thought it should be more engaging and I think we came over our desire of making this a more pleasant experience,” Galpern said.

Kauffman considers their initiative to be a socially engaged art project, as seen by the compilation of artwork, audio recordings, photos, postcards and more they’ve put together.

Inspired by the role of a crossing guard, Kauffman has a personal goal of being an Artist in Residence of the NYC DOT.

Becca Kauffman admires the role of crossing guards, and sees this project as a performance on the street in a public space. Photo: Erik Augustine

“I’m really intrigued by the crossing guard as a utilitarian role. It also is a performance on the street in public space, and I think of it choreographically like a dance…kind of like a mime act in a way,” they said.

“I wanted to perform as a crossing guard at the intersection. I think of it as a sort of like theatrical intervention at this rally and march that we organized together. We had a bunch of volunteers too, and we all donned high visibility workwear.”

Crosswalk Fantasy Committee received an email from the DOT on Aug. 4 saying that after “months of evaluation,” the stop signs and crosswalks were approved.

On Nov. 17, the new stop signs were implemented at the intersection of Stanhope Street and Fairview Avenue. The crosswalks were painted shortly after, following a “high priority” ranking by the DOT.

The crosswalks were painted on Dec. 1.

The pair feel that the crosswalks are essential, as cars appear to miss the new stop signs or are ignoring them.

In celebration of the new safety signals, Crosswalk Fantasy Committee plans to host a “Party at the Crosswalk” on Sunday, Dec. 18. The community at large is welcome to attend.

For more information and updates about Crosswalk Fantasy Committee’s activism and the status of the intersection, follow the group on Instagram @crosswalkfantasy.

Alleged animal abuser busted on Woodhaven Boulevard

Jessica Meditz on November 30, 2022

Dog and seven puppies rescued by 104th Precinct

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

A dog and her seven puppies were rescued by police during a car stop.

Last Saturday, officers from the 104th Precinct rescued an adult great dane and her seven puppies during a car stop on Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park.

At around 4 p.m., Officers Kristen Candelaria and Stephen Sheehan of the 104 conducted a car stop after they observed 27-year-old Ravon Service of Philadelphia operating a vehicle with a loud exhaust southbound.

Officers Stephen Sheehan and Kristen Candelaria .

During the stop, the officers observed an emaciated female dog and her seven puppies inside the vehicle in a confined plastic container with no access to food, water or adequate space.

The dogs were transported to an animal hospital to receive treatment.

The adult great dane is so malnourished, her ribs are poking out.

Seven puppies were rescued along with their mother from known animal abuser Ravon Service.

Service was arrested and charged with eight counts of torture/injure/not feed animal, eight counts of neglect of impounded animal, seven counts of animal carried in cruel manner and unreasonable noise.

“Our Neighborhood Coordination Officers, Officer Kristen Candelaria and Officer Stephen Sheehan, did an outstanding job. They were out patrolling their sector, their neighborhood and addressing quality of life conditions when they found these poor puppies and their mother during a vehicle stop. The visible conditions of the dogs were immediate indicators that they were victims of a depraved indifference to animal life,” said Deputy Inspector Kevin Coleman, Commanding Officer of the 104th Precinct.

“Candelaria and Sheehan are indeed heroes — their proactive policing of the neighborhood ultimately led to the rescue of these defenseless puppies and their mother,” he continued. “We encourage all New Yorkers to report animal cruelty to 311, and active crimes in progress to 911.”

Councilman Robert Holden took to Twitter to applaud the officers on a job well done, and advocated for finding loving homes for the animals.

Shortly after his first tweet, Holden posted again that Service appears to be the same individual who was caught last year for abusing animals and assaulting a landlord, the New York Post reported.

“Throw the book at this individual,” Holden wrote Sunday. “People like this should never see the light of day, yet we release them back to the public to continue their crimes.”

Gaton Foundation gives back to families in need

Jessica Meditz on November 30, 2022

Give & Go Delivery Project supplies food, necessities

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

The Gaton Foundation delivers fresh groceries to students and families in need.

Following her own personal humanitarian mission, Angela Gaton-Wiltshire dedicates much of her life to assisting those in need any way she can.

After a massive fire tore through various homes on Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill during 2020, Gaton-Wiltshire, 61, promptly started The Gaton Foundation and the Give & Go Delivery Project with her daughter, Kristen Wiltshire.

An employee of Richmond Hill High School for over 25 years, Gaton-Wiltshire works directly with students as a bilingual teacher of speech and hearing, special educator, general educator, deaf educator and developmental education evaluator.

Hosted with the support of Richmond Hill High School, the Give & Go Delivery Project strives to provide hand-delivered groceries and other essentials to students and their families in need in a stigma-free environment.

Flyers are posted throughout the school with a QR code that leads to the sign-up sheet for the service, so students can privately send their information.

After the fire, she knew that many of the students and their families would be impacted, and felt that she had to step in to help.

“I know the other side of what can happen when children are displaced. Part of the problem is going to be getting food…because if you’ve been displaced to a family member or relative, but you’re an extra mouth to feed, it becomes a challenge,” Gaton-Wiltshire said.

“To lessen the burden…I said, ‘Let’s deliver groceries,’” she continued. “It’s been a labor of love completely, because I have to buy everything and there’s so many resources, donations, everything.”

Gaton-Wiltshire said that the entire first floor of her St. Albans home has been designated for The Gaton Foundation and its operations.

She added that she and her daughter try their best to sort all the goods appropriately, sanitize everything and pack all the groceries appropriately in bags, as presentation is of utmost importance to her.

“The presentation is good so they know that we want to give this to them, and we would give it to them in the same way we would want to receive it,” Gaton-Wiltshire said.

Being Caribbean-American, the women behind The Gaton Foundation strive to be culturally aware, as they can relate with immigrants and children of immigrants.

The groceries provided by The Gaton Foundation take into account Halal, Kosher and other dietary restrictions, and the sign-up form is available in multiple languages.

“We are thrilled and proud that the work of the foundation and its projects, Give & Go Grocery specifically, is being recognized in this way. For nearly three years, this project has been organized to serve students, and their families across Queens, with our sight fixed devotedly on the impact we can have beyond the borough,” Wiltshire said.

“I’m genuinely in awe of what my mother began, and I’m entirely honored to represent my family foundation.”

Utilizing the skills gained from her culinary arts and nutrition education, Wiltshire also makes herself available to the families if they are unsure how to prepare or make a dish out of a certain item or ingredient.

Deliveries for the Give & Go Delivery Project go out on the first Friday of every month, to every applicant’s door — rain or shine. Gaton-Wiltshire said since its inception in 2020, they have not missed a month.

The Gaton Foundation always accepts donations and new volunteers.

Members of The Gaton Foundation along with its volunteers from Richmond Hill High School and beyond execute these deliveries in the neighborhoods of Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Whitestone, Jamaica, Ozone Park, Glendale and communities in Brooklyn where students have been displaced.

“It’s completely anonymous. We call and tell them the ETA, we get there, put the delivery on their doorstep and move onto the next person,” she said. “It’s to eliminate the stigma and embarrassment.”

At the time of publication, nearly 140 families have requested grocery delivery services from The Gaton Foundation.

“People won’t accept the help knowing full well that they need it, because they don’t want anybody to know,” Gaton-Wiltshire said. “Especially because this is an adolescent population, there’s nothing worse than kids being bullied.”

Gaton-Wiltshire attributes much of her humanitarian spirit and awareness to her father, who passed his values down to her.

She shared that her father marched with Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement and studied psychology and social work for his PhD — however, he knows how it feels to grow up poor and need help.

“I always remember him telling me the story about when he was going to school, when he had to walk miles and the soles of his shoes were separated and he had to use rubber bands to keep them together. But because his parents were poor, they couldn’t afford new shoes,” she said. “I can understand that because it’s my dad’s experience, so it’s not generations away.”

The Gaton Foundation seeks to expand beyond Queens in the future, and is always accepting donations and additional volunteers.

To donate or get involved with The Gaton Foundation, visit their website thegatonfoundation.org to contact them as well as their Instagram, @thegatonfoundation.

Local McDonald’s employee participates in Thanksgiving parade

Jessica Meditz on November 30, 2022

Dominican immigrant embraces New York tradition

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Carlos Garcia (third from left) joined other nominated crew members to guide the Ronald McDonald balloon. (Photo: @goodmanmcdonalds on Instagram)

At one point in his life, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was something Dominican-born Carlos Garcia admired from afar as a New York tradition.

Now, he can proudly say he is one of the thousands of people responsible for helping to make the historic parade a reality for another year.

Hailing from the city of Santiago, Garcia, 44, first emigrated to New York City in 2003. He now resides in the Bronx with his wife and six-month-old baby girl.

He landed his first job as a McDonald’s crew member in 2004, working at the 5th Ave & W 34th St. location in Manhattan — in front of the Empire State Building.

Garcia started his first role in the kitchen of McDonald’s, and while he was excited for the new experience, he said that some people in his life looked down on the company at the time.

“My family didn’t want me working at McDonald’s, because I think a lot of people think that something is wrong with it,” he said. “The people talking from the outside probably never worked at McDonald’s, and they never see the opportunities we have working there.”

With his curiosity for learning new things each day, Garcia wanted more for his career, and eventually took classes to learn more about how the restaurant operates.

He took classes to learn about how to work and repair equipment, electricity and more essentials to build his knowledge and work his way up in the company.

Garcia quickly climbed the ranks, and now works as a facility maintenance supervisor — overseeing a total of six McDonald’s locations in Queens: 159-40 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach; 106-15 71st Ave., Forest Hills; 75-50 101st Ave., Ozone Park; 33-80 Queens Blvd. and 32-55 31st St., Long Island City; and 72-69 Kissena Blvd., Flushing.

He took a break from working in the restaurant for a day on Thanksgiving last week, and helped guide the well-loved Ronald McDonald balloon throughout the heart of Manhattan during the parade.

Ronald McDonald soared through the streets of Manhattan on Thanksgiving Day. (Photo: @goodmanmcdonalds on Instagram)

Garcia and other nominated McDonald’s crew members participated in the once-in-a-lifetime experience, which is part of McDonald’s Thank You Crew initiative.

The initiative recognizes crew members and managers for their dedication to their local communities.

“The employees are the ones who make it happen at our restaurants, so this initiative is recognizing our people and appreciating everything they do for us to keep the arches shined and our customers receiving fast, healthy and great-tasting food,” said Paul Goodman, owner/operator of various McDonald’s restaurants in New York.

He described the Thanksgiving Day Parade experience as an honor and memorable experience — something that was made for hardworking employees such as Garcia.

“He is probably one of the most dedicated, loyal employees I’ve ever seen. From the day I met him until today, he just impresses me more and more with his dedication and skill level,” Goodman said of Garcia.

“He is a gentleman, and probably the only negative I could say about him is that he doesn’t have the ability to say ‘no,’” he said jokingly. “Carlos is amazing and I’m extremely lucky to have him working for my company.”

While Garcia is a proud New Yorker and feels very much at home, this was the first time he visited the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“I’m very excited. I never did it before and I wanted to see the rare experience of being in the parade,” Garcia said.

“I want this one to be my first, but not my last. If it’s possible, I would go every year.”

On The Record: Tom Padovano

Jessica Meditz on November 30, 2022

Comedian/Comedy Writer

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Tom Padovano of East Elmhurst loves nothing more than making people laugh.

When he’s not up on stage performing at a private gig or a local open mic night, Padovano spends much of his time writing jokes.

He began writing in the 1980s, and experienced the spotlight himself for the first time in 1985.

He’s sold his jokes to big name comedians such as Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller and Tom Dreesen. He’s even written material for the governor of a certain state years ago, at the expense of his rival.

Padovano said that he feels a great sense of satisfaction when a well-known comedian uses his joke and it gets a good laugh.

But nothing beats the feeling of delivering the joke himself.

“It’s a really great experience…when it doesn’t go well, it’s a little rougher, and some nights are better than others. But it’s nice, especially when someone comes over to you after the show and says, ‘I thought you were really good.’ That’s a nice feeling,” he said.

Padovano’s favorite topic to joke about is dating, since it always makes a good bit and it’s something everyone can relate to.

As for aspiring young comedians, he recommends reaching out to comedians and sending them sample jokes.

For live performance, he encourages people to get out there as much as possible.

“A lot of times, you find new gigs from other comedians, and as you get into it, you find more places to go,” he said.

“It’s just a matter of building up the material. Every time you go onstage, try at least one new joke.”

Maspeth Starbucks files for union

Jessica Meditz on November 23, 2022

Employees participate in national strike

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Employees of Starbucks’ Maspeth location participated in a strike outside the store.

Maspeth’s only Starbucks store, located inside the Shops at Grand Avenue, has become the third one in Queens to file for a union election with Workers United NY/NJ, the independent union representative of Starbucks Workers United.

Fifteen of the location’s 16 employees signed union cards, as well as penned a letter to Starbucks’ president and CEO, Howard Schultz. In their efforts, they join fellow workers from 30-18 Astoria Blvd. and 22-28 31st St. in Astoria as Queens locations to unionize.

In their letter, the employees claim they have experienced mistreatment from managers and district managers, that they are understaffed, underpaid and not given enough hours to work.

“Concerns have been voiced over and over again during our time with Starbucks. However, no changes have been made whatsoever, which is why we have decided that unionizing is our best and only option at this point,” the letter said. “We are the ones who run your stores, we are the ones that do our best to treat the customers with kindness and warmth, and we are the ones who can make your sales happen, yet we are being treated as if we are not the ones who are the reason this company still stands along with your customers.”

Last Thursday, Nov. 17, employees of the Maspeth Starbucks store joined fellow Starbucks workers within Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Long Island, as well as over 110 locations across the country, in Red Cup Rebellion, a national unfair labor practice (ULP) strike.

The strike took place on the same day the company gave out red cups with the purchase of any seasonal drink, and called on Starbucks to “begin bargaining in good faith and fully staff all stores.”

Employees of the store gathered outside at 7 a.m. to demonstrate, and handed out Starbucks Workers United branded cups to passersby.

Employees of the Maspeth Starbucks participated in a strike outside the store on Red Cup Day, giving out Starbucks Workers United cups.

“I think the most important thing that motivated people to be here today in this weather was the misbehavior from our district manager. She is very manipulative and has always been condescending to her staff,” an employee named Azim, who requested his last name be omitted, said.

“This is not the feeling in just this store. If you go to any of the Starbucks in this district, I think everybody would resonate with that.”

Azim has worked at the Maspeth Starbucks for three years, and has been with the company for a total of seven.

He added that people’s schedules often get rejected, and folks aren’t working enough hours to pay their bills, and that the store is quite short-staffed, with claims that there are sometimes just two employees working the floor during the busiest rush.

Another employee, Kelly, who also requested her last name be omitted, said that being located across the street from Maspeth High School causes the busy rush hour in the morning, making the job much more difficult while being short-staffed.

“We should not be told by DMs that we should move up in the company for more money if that is what we need, that we need to motivate partners not to call out or pick up more shifts than scheduled, and proceed to compare our work with other fast food workers,” the employees said in the letter to Schultz. “We should not be told that our pay is more than enough compared to others when at the end of the day, we are still at only a dollar and change above minimum wage.”

Starbucks did not respond to a request for comment with regard to the Maspeth location.

Back in April, Starbucks’ Reserve Roastery located at 61 Ninth Avenue in Chelsea, Manhattan, won their union election, becoming the first flagship store to unionize with Starbucks Workers United/Workers United.

The location has been striking for over 20 days after the company failed to provide information regarding confirmed reports of bed bugs at the store and to set a bargaining date to have workers’ needs met.

According to data from More Perfect Union Action, a registered District of Columbia 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, workers at 345 Starbucks stores in 39 states have filed to unionize.

Those workers follow in the footsteps of employees of Starbucks in Buffalo, N.Y., whose Elmwood Ave. location made history as the first unionized Starbucks location in the country.

Starbucks employees are demanding that the company meet with them to improve standards in staffing and scheduling, along with other bargaining proposals, such as for workers to have the ability to wear union gear on the clock, no dress codes, and a commitment to non-discrimination.

Zum Stammtisch celebrates 50th anniversary

Jessica Meditz on November 23, 2022

Iconic German eatery serves Glendale for 50 years

By Jessica Meditz

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Zum Stammtisch’s comfortable interior. Photo: Zum Stammtisch.

Known for its hearty meals, fresh beer and comforting ambiance, Zum Stammtisch on Myrtle Avenue in Glendale is a neighborhood staple.

The well-loved German restaurant first opened its doors in November 1972, marking half a century of operation this month.

Zum Stammtisch was founded by John Lehner, who emigrated from Freising, Bavaria, Germany in the 1950s, along with two partners.

It was always Lehner’s dream to have his own German restaurant, as his father had a small establishment he took pride in back home.

After much dedication and hard work, Lehner found it rewarding to see his restaurant become a hub for the large German population that resided in Glendale. Within 10 years, he bought out his two partners, and became the sole owner of Zum Stammtisch.

Since Lehner’s death in 1993, his two sons, Werner and Hans, continue to keep the family business alive as co-owners.

Werner, Erna (mother) and Hans Lehner inside Stammtisch Pork Store. Photo: Zum Stammtisch

Werner Lehner, the eldest of the two, said that while many restaurants feel the need to change with the times, Zum Stammtisch prides itself on staying original and old-school.

“We do have some specials now that would be what you’d call a little more Americanized, like shrimp cocktail or prime rib. But we try to keep the same style of food, the same everything,” Lehner said.

“Back when we first opened, it was a very German neighborhood; everybody on the streets spoke German,” he continued. “Now, it’s almost like the UN out there, everybody’s different…which is great because instead of just having one type of clientele, you have everyone.”

Zum Stammtisch keeps things traditional in a multitude of ways, as seen by their waitresses in dirndl dresses and German specialties on the menu, such as goulash soup and Jägerschnitzel, a breaded veal cutlet served with a fresh mushroom sauce.

But the thing that truly makes the Zum Stammtisch experience different is the interior decor, which features a dimly lit atmosphere, stained glass windows, vintage artifacts at every glance — from German newspapers to beer steins — and even a large moose head on the wall to keep you company as you dine.

The Lehner brothers have taken steps to experiment with the establishment over the years, such as opening Stammtisch Pork Store & Imports in 2011, which is located right next to the restaurant.

The Pork Store offers authentic German meats and delicacies to its patrons, including fresh wurst, cheeses, salads, breads, chocolates, dairy products and more.

Lehner said that while all the standard sausages, such as bratwurst, krainerwurst and knockwurst, come from the Pork Store, the team switches things up with their “Weekly Wurst.”

“When we make our own, we try to make them a little more interesting…we make habanero mango bratwurst, which everyone really loves, we make Philly cheesesteak sausage, currywurst and even teriyaki pineapple,” he said. “It’s nice to have the place next door so we can experiment a little bit and bring different things over to the restaurant from there.”

In terms of beer, Zum Stammtisch keeps things simple with just five beers on tap: a lager, a dark beer, a weiss beer, a pilsner beer and a seasonal beer that is available as a novelty.

“We tap the kegs almost every day…there’s never a keg on there more than a couple of days,” Lehner explained. “It’s always extremely fresh.”

Many community members admire the dedication to quality that Zum Stammtisch offers, and have made it a regular part of their celebrations and feel-good moments. This is true for Gillian Guile, a Glendale resident.

“I have been going to Zum Stammtisch for as long as I can remember. My favorite memory was my family’s annual trip there for my Oma’s birthday every August. Her birthday was never complete until we went to Zums,” she said. “I was also lucky enough to celebrate my 21st birthday there before COVID with my friends and family. Prost to 50 years of great food, service and gemütlichkeit.”

The phrase “Zum Stammtisch” roughly translates to “to the special table,” and the team’s efforts have stayed true to its name for the last 50 years.

Lehner said that he’s had countless special memories in the restaurant over the years, but some of his favorite ones come from World Cup celebrations and watch parties, which are just around the corner.

Zum Stammtisch is a great place to watch the World Cup. Photo: Zum Stammtisch.

“It’s always a ton of work, but it’s always so satisfying to see the place so packed with so many people having a good time, as well as people you haven’t seen in a while,” he said.

It is important to the Lehners to continue serving the community for years to come, and keep German culture and traditions alive.

“Back in the old days, if you were German, you went to a German restaurant, if you were Italian, you went to an Italian restaurant,” he recalled. “I feel people have become much more adventurous, looking for new experiences. As old-school as we are for a lot of people, we are definitely a new experience.”

Porcelli: The Other Side of Education (11/24)

Jessica Meditz on November 22, 2022

CTE Shop Class: Now It’s High-Tech

Students: Be thankful for…

By Mike Porcelli

During this week of Thanksgiving, what should students be grateful for?

American students should be grateful they live in the only country where everyone, regardless of their background, has every opportunity to obtain all the education they want.

Students lucky enough to enroll in schools that develop their natural talents and abilities as much as possible, should be the most thankful. It’s proven they’ll enjoy the greatest long-term career and life success.

Unfortunately, as stressed here constantly, many schools still do not offer programs best suited to each student and continue to disparage and defund skilled trade training that could best fit many students’ needs.

We should all be thankful for the U.S. Military, because it not only protects us, it’s also our largest career training institution, where every member is evaluated and trained in the skills best suited to their abilities. More schools should follow their example. Every veteran I know is extremely thankful for their training in military and career skills, leading to later career success.

Even though the public and many education professionals now realize, the high school to college pipeline of the past 50 years has failed many students, schools continue to “guide” students into programs that don’t meet their needs, leaving them in debt, under-skilled and under-employed.

Even those “misguided” students can be grateful for the wide array of training programs available in all trades. Everyone in this country can obtain training which does suit them – even if belatedly. Students prevented from entering their preferred programs in high school or college, can find training in every profession, much of it available at little or no cost. They should be grateful for and take advantage of those opportunities.

Those previously denied their ideal education can be grateful for the numerous job-training programs available in every trade area. There are countless stories of high school and college-graduates, and non-graduates as well, who return to school to obtain skilled-trade-certifications, leading to satisfying careers. They can be grateful for training for high-paying jobs – at any age. Many trade-training programs have students of every age-group – proving it’s never too late to learn.

This year, I am thankful for the support expressed by many readers of this column each week and the increased interest in CTE programs shown by school board members and the Department of Education. I am particularly grateful that, possibly because of the thoughts expressed here, the City Council will soon consider passing legislation that will provide increased resources to expand and improve much-needed CTE programs in more schools. 

Everyone should immediately contact their City Council and school board members to demand expanded CTE programs wherever possible.

If this becomes a reality, next Thanksgiving, more students will be able to give thanks for entering their CTE program of choice, and their best possible education experiences.

Our students deserve it. Let’s do it!

Academic & Trade Education are Two Sides of a Coin. This column explores the impact of CTE programs on students, society, and the economy.

Mike Porcelli: life-long mechanic, adjunct professor, and host of Autolab Radio, is committed to restoring trade education in schools before it’s too late. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-porcelli-master-mechanic-allasecerts/ 

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