Paninis and Grilled Cheese are in the House!
I purchased a panini grill shortly after we bought the restaurant. Everyone here looked at me like I was crazy. Crazy?! Yes, I am! Crazy for Frank’s latest creations. I know now my long ago purchase was a prophetic one. Now serving - Geppetto’s Spicy Italian, Club & Grilled Cheese Paninis served with soup, salad or fries - $10.95 Also available... Geppetto’s Creamy tomato & artichoke soup, $6.95/bowl $3.95/cup - Yum! Dine-in will end tonight but Geppetto's Italian Restaurant won’t! We will continue the good fight and we will win the race. Call for takeout or delivery, all of Salem and Keizer. Outdoor dining will also be available! 503.378.1271 Thank you for your continued support!
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Latitude and Grace
The restaurant business being what it is… change is inevitable. You may be aware that we are actively searching for bartender/servers, phone, pizza kitchen and line cooks. People move on and that’s okay. Reality is… finding workers in this time of massive unemployment benefits makes working less attractive. With the help of; People Ready, Garten, the Chemeketa Community College job board, MV Advancements, Worksource Oregon and straight up word of mouth… we have managed to find some pretty awesome candidates. We are investing necessary time and money bringing these folks up in the Geppetto’s way. We are learning and growing every day. Transitions aren’t always smooth. No restaurant is likely to find a person who can do a job perfectly, exactly the way it needs to be done… from the start. I would bet… if you’d never worked at Geppetto’s you might struggle a bit… taking an order or making your first pizza. This is where latitude and grace come in. I’ve been here for almost 4 years now and I have had the privilege of working in every possible position. Along with management I have been given the opportunity to feel what it’s like to clean under tables before opening, to scrape plates, wash dishes, wait tables, bartend, host, answer phones, make pizzas and deliver. I’ve dabbled the least on the line… mostly because I don’t want to be in the way. The line is a hard job! Tickets coming at you… servers asking you to “Go on 24, 35 and 28!” Waiting for the pizza kitchen to call your order up and remembering to include the Italian dressing… and not the ranch with that to go order. Little known fact… Geppetto’s has a secret menu. If it has been made here in the last 47 years… it is likely it can be made upon request. The new guys don’t know that though… and that’s ok. How could they know? They will learn and we will get there. The restaurant business is a lot on a well staffed day. The changing tides of COVID have had us shut down one minute… open the next. By the grace of God we’ve remained open for business. This generous community has kept us working and for that we are grateful. Staff has shifted as necessary and we have all worked together to make our customer experience as enjoyable as possible. We have survived thus far and will continue. Thank you to those who have afforded us latitude and grace during this time. Staff has changed some… the recipes will not. Original owner, Tom Barsotti, is very much in the wings. He messages me almost daily and often reminds me in a serious but gentle way to, “Taste the sauces.” We invite you to dine in, take out or receive delivery. 503.378.1271 Side note… In thirty year Marty’s absence I’ve learned to make Geppetto’s Chocolate Mousse, Mousse Pie and Frozen Tortoni. They are here and ready for you to enjoy! Not bad for a mom whose highest culinary praise hung in the hallway of our daughter’s elementary school. She drew my picture for Mother’s Day and wrote, “My mom makes the best Ramen!” Took time for lunch today. Docked at Patty’s Off Center Cafe. Chef Bob had the best idea! Fresh and delicious tomato slices added to my Toasted Ham and Swiss put this girl’s lunch over the top. Soooo good! Enjoyed both offerings of house made soups and found the clam chowder to be quite spectacular. No bacon... just the perfect ratio of ingredients and a lovely green onion garnish. The base wasn’t too thick and it wasn’t too thin. To quote Goldie Locks, “It was just right!”
The flavors in everything we ordered were well blended. The green salad was fresh and delicious. The Little American flag as a garnish to my plate brought a patriotic feeling. I’m excited for the 4th of July. It’s one of three days a year Geppetto's is closed! Little known fact... Roger and I don’t just pray before eating. We pray before dining. Our prayers were answered today. Patty and crew at Patty’s Off Center Cafe are doing a great job. We left feeling healthy, strong and ready for the next round this crazy restaurant life brings! You are under arrest! Certainly a new one today! Police came by the restaurant to investigate. A very upset customer had called to report fraud at Geppetto’s. He claimed he was overcharged. We listened and dug in to the matter. The man was indeed charged the correct amount. I didn’t know banks may approve credit card amounts a certain percentage over actual purchase price... just in case the buyer wishes to add gratuity. This particular customer did not tip. The overage was, in fact, the bank’s doing. I confirmed with our merchant services company that said customer was only charged the actual amount due. Then I called the customer. The angry accuser replied with a doubting tone... “Well... if that is in fact true... then I guess I owe you an apology.” Whatever... but please don’t waste law enforcement’s time with an issue you could have simply resolved with with your credit card company or stimulus card bank. Expletive! In better news... I went to The Grand Hotel for a delivery. There... I encountered Caesar the no drama therapy llama.
“Would you like to hug him?” His handler asked. “ I would love to.” I replied. Then... I remembered the delivery I was there to make. Happy to be intercepted by such a loving, gentle beast... I made my delivery to the fourth floor and forged on. Mission accomplished! Pizza delivered... llama hugged. All good. Deep breath. Life is short... #hugallama! Geppetto's at The Manila Fiesta with a Goose The world is filled with wonderful foods from all kinds of places. We met our daughter (and our Goose) for Filipino lunch. Owner, Marissa, is his other Grandmother. Goose’s family frequents for the Lumpia. I saw with my own eyes, Marissa treats everyone like family. It is an honor to share the Goose with such a kind hearted woman. Blessings to Marissa and her family. May The Manila Fiesta live long and prosper!
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AuthorJulie Hoy Archives
June 2022
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TEL: (503) 378-1271HoursSunday - Thursday 11:30am - 8:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am - 9:30pm |
Location616 Lancaster Dr NE | Salem, OR 97301
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