Family Owned

Marathon Deli is one of my favorite restaurants in College Park MD. This tiny family-owned restaurant serves up huge flavors with Greek food and subs. Last month I went back to Maryland to visit family. I go every July, as a final relax/rewind before the craziness of August and football season hits. Almost every year …

The Original Ledo Restaurant is a Maryland institution. Open since 1955, and still run by the Marcos family, you won’t leave hungry or disappointed.  Last month I was in Maryland, visiting my family. I go back every July, as a final relax/recharge/rewind before the craziness of football season hits. During this visit I went to Greensboro …

Light, flaky, crispy fried chicken in a family-owned restaurant. There’s nothing like it, and you’ll find it at Stroud’s Restaurant A couple weeks ago I was in Kansas City for the men’s Big 12 basketball tournament. OSU had lost on Wednesday evening, but I stayed a couple of extra days to watch West Virginia play. …

Izzy’s Steaks & Chops is a family-owned restaurant in the heart of the Marina District in San Francisco. 21-day aged steaks and Izzy’s Own potatoes await. A few weeks ago I was in San Francisco for my Association of Luxury Suite Directors conference. Every summer the conference is in a different city. Of course we …

Take a step back in time at Celebrity Restaurant in Tulsa. Opened in 1963 as a private club, it remains in the Samara family to this day and continues to serve outstanding food.  This spring I’ve been doing in-person stewardship visits with a number of our club seat holders. It gets me out of the office, …

Blue Koi Noodles and Dumplings. I discovered this gem by total coincidence, watching Diner, Drive Ins & Dives. Boy am I happy that I did. I’ve had some of my favorite memories at conference basketball tournaments.  From road trips in an RV to Greensboro for the ACC tourney, to watching Maryland win the ACC in …