![]() For Carolyn Curtis, the Broadway Grill is more than just a business. It is a calling. Though owning such an establishment was never what she would have termed a “lifelong dream,” she felt led to open it as she had experience in the industry and knew the Fern Ridge Community needed a good family restaurant they could enjoy. Previously, Curtis, a lifelong Elmira resident who graduated from Elmira High in 1982, was employed by Our Daily Bread as well as Crazy Al’s, the Noti Pub, Hack’s, and Yukon Jack’s so she knew a thing or two about how a restaurant is run. Located on Broadway in a stucco building kitty corner from American Market, the Broadway Grill was the original location for St. Thomas Beckett Catholic Church and then became home to several different pizza establishments before Curtis took over in 2016. When Curtis initially opened the Broadway Grill, she didn’t have enough money to pay for the necessary environmental health license, so she borrowed the funds from her son-in-law’s mother, the only thing closest to a loan she has taken out. Within a week, she replaced worn out equipment save for an old broken-down oven/grill combo that only worked on high. A month later, it, too, was given its walking papers and replaced with a new oven and flat-top grill affectionately known as “the Cadillac.” Along with Curtis’s son-in-law, her three daughters Leslie Hall, Stephanie Curtis, and Sammie Curtis also work at the restaurant as do a server and a cook. Everyone knows not only their job but all the positions so if needed they can segue into another role when the need arises. “I have the best crew of people,” says Curtis. “They are my tribe. If one is sick, another steps in.” Because of Curtis’s following from her previous restaurant jobs, building a good clientele was not difficult. Those who were already acquainted with her were curious to see what she had to offer and have continued coming back, even supporting the restaurant during the pandemic with the purchasing of to-go meals. The menu at the Broadway Grill is one of comfort food mainly with different types of hamburgers and sandwiches available and soups. Dinners are determined by the day of the week with each day featuring a dish such as salmon, baby back ribs, spaghetti, chicken fried steak, eggs, and biscuits. Friday and Saturday evenings see a fancier menu and the restaurant also satisfies sweet tooths with patisserie type food such as cookies, brownies, macaroons, cakes, torts, cheesecakes, and pies that Curtis makes herself. Typically, these goodies sell out quickly and Curtis has developed a reputation for her baked goods. While the Broadway Grill is closed on Sunday’s, Curits will open it for special events such as anniversary’s, birthdays, and retirement parties. She recently did three Sundays in a row and will open if someone has 25 or more people in their group. Soon, she will be opening for a bridal shower. Mother’s Day is celebrated with a buffet at the restaurant and Curtis also caters the city of Veneta’s yearly breakfast and will cater a wedding in June. The restaurant sees a regular fluctuation of diners beginning at noon when the lunch crowd comes in. Then it quiets down until 2:00 when “a little rush of patrons” trickles in to eat and then there is “Happy Hour” which runs from 3:00 – 5:00. During this two-hour period, cocktails are $7, and appetizers and drafts are discounted. The dinner hour then commences from 5:00 – 7:00, but lately, Curtis has been keeping things open until 7:30 or even 8:00. She takes pride in serving local craft beers and local wines but also has a selection of soft drinks for the teetotalers in attendance. Curtis just signed another five-year lease so she isn’t planning on going anywhere soon, but when the time comes for her to see what else life has to offer, she has no doubt her daughters will take over the Broadway Grill and it will continue to serve the locals who have come to love its fare. The Broadway Grill is a place where everyone is welcome, and it is hoped that they will come back again and again to be treated to a warm meal, a cold beverage, and a home baked goodie. It is a place that aims to become a landmark for its friendliness for years to come replete with warm smiles, happy hellos, and ‘60’s music playing over Pandora. Come check it out. You’ll be glad you did.
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