Tuesday, August 25, 2009

AURELIO'S STEPS BACK IN TIME

The last thing a business owner wants to do in a down economy is lose money, but the owners of Aurelio's pizzeria in downtown La Grange did just that last week.
Although nobody was seen in hoop skirts or bobby socks on Calendar Court on the night of Aug. 20, new and (15-month) old customers filled the sit-down restaurant and bar to the gills that evening to enjoy circa-1959 menu prices.

The event, held throughout the 43-store chain, was celebrating founder Joe Aurelio's first restaurant in the south suburbs, which remains in business today. The La Grange store, which opened in the middle of a deteriorating economy in the summer of 2008, still packs the place regularly -- leaving its competitors in the dust.

And though the owner admitted to taking a bit of a financial hit to carry out the promotion, it seemed to prove at least one good thing: that customers know a good thing when they see it and take on a certain loyalty to that business. Some newcomers, we believe, just don't seem to understand.

In our own informal poll of waitstaff that evening, we found out the loyal customer base ponied up reasonable and realistic tips based on the fact their biggest thin crust, for example, cost them about one-fifth of what it usually does (say five or six bucks for a minimum $25 pie).

But many of those who heard about the promotion and appeared to be first-time customers
especially enjoyed leaving 1950's style gratuities (say a buck-80 for a $12 pizza order that would normally run them about 40 bucks). Go figure.

But that's business and life goes on. Hope for the best, but expect the worst, I always say.

Every member of the waitstaff I have met there seems to understand tips are a treat and vary from person to person. They even act like they don't care what people leave. Some businesses boldly stick the tip jar in your face as you order or even include it on the bill. Not here.

Aurelio's staff is courteous, friendly and really gets to know their customers. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am among them. This is no endorsement based on a favor to advertisers (of which they are not), but when an owner delivers orders to the table, and frequently also cleans the table when you leave, that puts a smile on your face.

And in a down economy, that's just what people need: a much-deserved pick-me-up. Ross and Co. provide just that.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

PIZZA IN LA GRANGE AT 1950'S PRICES?!?

Customers of Aurelio's Pizza, 11 Calendar Court, in La Grange's downtown business district will likely be shocked when they visit the popular Italian eatery on Thursday, Aug. 20 -- or so we hear.

Seems that is the very day chain owner Joe Aurelio opened up his first restaurant in south suburban Homewood, way back in 1959.

It was a big secret until today, when we heard the La Grange Aurelio's will be scaling back prices to the way they were in '59. On what and by how much, we don't know yet. C'mon Ross, spill the beans!

We'll have to see what kind of crowds will show up at the already frequently packed pizzeria Thursday ... and what kind of deals are in store.

Talk about an economic stimulus package.