616 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem OR 97301Take Out, Delivery & Dine In
CALL US: (503) 378-1271
 Two worlds collided last night and something delicious was made.
Salem’s Hampton Inn is a great supporter of local business. Travelers are often directed to Geppetto’s for take out, delivery or dine in. Last Monday I made a lunch delivery to one of their guests. He was a handsome man with an intriguing accent ... but that wasn’t where the magic happened. It was in the Lobby where I ran into sweet Kinji, Sales Manager for Hampton. We chatted about the excitement of their new addition and I shared with her Geppetto’s need for ravioli machine repair. “It’s coming.” I told her. “Meanwhile we wait and make all of our raviolis by hand.” With that, her eyes lit up like a kid in an underwater aquarium filled with fishies. “You’re making your ravioli by hand?! Can I help?! I’ve always wanted to make ravioli! And I have my food handlers card and everything. Surprised she was serious. I took her up on her offer. Not long after I left... she texted. “Can my coworker, Jennifer, our front Desk Manager, come along? She’d like to help too. So... last night... after a long day at work they arrived. The two quickly picked up the process and were off! Approximately 500 Geppetto’s three cheese raviolis were made by these two wonderful women. Roger will be so thankful when he returns from elk hunting (A.K.A. “Hiking with a gun.”). Geppetto’s November special is well underway Business partnerships are strong in this neck of the woods. Especially when those doing business are willing, courageous and capable of being inspired. That’s where the magic happens! Bless you, Kinji and Jennifer for your help. What you felt was a gift to you is a gift to many... including me. @Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce GREETERS, Salem Chamber Business Women, Geppetto's Italian Restaurant, Hampton Inn & Suites Salem, Oregon
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 Just... left... ACME... Cafe. Roll me over and stick a fork in me... I’m so full! I went for it and thoroughly enjoyed the chicken fried chicken. I appreciate the way the scrambled eggs kept the potatoes hot to the finish. The gravy did the same for the chicken. The chicken was juicy and tender. Even the ketchup was delicious. The muzak was a little out of my league. Made me want to jump up and bang my head around, like I used to back in the day. That’s okay though... at least I ate fast. Our server, Brian, told us he was a little off his game because he recently went cold turkey on the Redbull. Brian is a busy server and very good at his job. Acme Cafe is doing it right.
Now, Roger and I are off to put up the raviolis we made yesterday. We also need to make a fresh batch of our house made creamy garlic dressing, chocolate mousse and mousse pie! Wish us luck... what I really want is a pillow and a nap! @ ACME Cafe  We would love to be fishing or camping or traveling to some fascinating destination. Alas... it’s the restaurant business we’re in and it never stops. We chatted a bit in the wee hours of this morning about date nights and things away from this place. We are blessed beyond belief simply to have each other. We and our staff remain healthy. Thanks be to God... and to strict guidelines... and great hygiene. We pray for those afflicted, for people and businesses who have suffered during this time. We watch in awe those who have managed to endure... to bounce back, to adapt and change. We are humans. We will never be perfect but we know how to evolve and survive
We are thankful to be here at Starship Geppetto’s making Ma’s ravioli by hand. I’m responsible for the filling. Roger is handling the pasta. The dress shirt he used to wear in medical management now serves as a shield from the massive amounts of flour required in making ravioli. Reminds me of art time in grade school where each student brought one of dad’s shirts to wear. Even though Roger’s shirt fits better than dad’s shirts ever did he still looks adorable. We do this work with true love for each other and grateful hearts. Master mechanic, Shelby continues the quest to resurrect our coveted ravioli machine To those of you who manage to escape, to relax and explore... carry us in your hearts. Share your adventures. We want to know what is happening out there... away from the news. Know that Ma’s ravioli and a whole bunch of other deliciousness will be waiting here for you. Just a reminder... we are open 11:00am, 7 days a week for dine in, takeout and delivery. Our closing hours vary based on business. If we are slow... we must go! Praying for all. Make it a great day!  You may be aware we have identified jobs which we can most easily delegate. We hire folks with special needs to take on tasks they are absolutely qualified to execute.
It is our belief that each of us has special needs... some of which are just more visible than others. This guy, Brandon, not only sees to it that each customer feels first upon arrival... but that Dorothy... who follows him on Wednesdays is directed and provided for equally as well. Brandon’s attention to detail is unmatched. He trained Dorothy when she first came aboard and leaves her each Wednesday with specific instructions as to how to complete the tasks at hand for that day. Along with that, he sees to it that Dorothy has a pizza waiting for her as she finishes her shift. Brandon says he wants to make Geppetto’s pizza for others. I let him know... “When you can make Geppetto’s pizza the way we make it... you may have the opportunity to do so.” Until then... Brandon provides for us in seeing to it the customer feels first... and that his family and Dorothy are provided for each Wednesday, Brandon Coston Style! Bless you, Brandon. You are an awesome human with a great big heart... and we are thankful for you!  Mayday! Mayday! . . . - - - ... Starship Geppetto’s to Shelby...
. . . - - - . . . Ravioli... machine... DOWN! Please... help! Pasta rolled and ready early this am. Filling prepped and at the ready. A flip of the switch... a few short revolutions and then... silence. Nothing more. She wouldn’t turn! Shelby came as quickly as possible. He’s headed to Richard and G &S Machine in Keizer. We are into some next level “sheeet” here. It seems the motor rebuilding of decades ago was installed backwards. Time will tell and the genius of Shelby will reveal itself. To watch him analyze the situation was like watching a highly qualified surgeon. He knows what makes it work. And so we wait. Raviolis down for now. The good news... Roger and others put up ravs by hand. They will be tested tomorrow... to see what they bring. Meanwhile, mechanic, Shelby, will do his due diligence and see to it the challenge is addressed and rectified. We trust that much. Shelby is the best! Meanwhile... we began the long forgotten quest of hand pressing Ma’s raviolis. Such a trip.! Reminds me of this... Ma Barsotti’s grandson, Tony Bidwell came in for dinner. He ordered Ma’s Ravioli. In truth... he received the last full serving. From here forward... we will be going old school... pressing and rolling... waiting for the news that Shelby has found the fix... and the way to get us back in the business of mass producing Ma’s Raviolis! As I have been known to say... “Holy "sheet" Balls... God is in control!" Tomorrow will tell. Prayers appreciated! It was a shortly before 7:30pm when they came through the little red door. They were quiet, very well mannered and patient as they waited for a table that Friday night. They appeared tired and dirty. Their uniforms gave them away. They were three wild land firefighters here all they way from South Dakota to assist in fighting the fires which have ravaged our beautiful state. Even before they sat, another table of customers, dear friends of Geppetto’s, had offered to anonymously pay for their meal. The three men ate well and left happy and full. They were surprised by the generosity. With genuine gratitude they excepted the gift. They left to sleep for the night and to fight the Beachie Creek fire yet another day. I wished after they left I had gotten their names. I wished I had asked more questions about who they are and where they are from. Oh well, I thought. They will remain in my prayers as the three tired, courageous firefighters from South Dakota who came all this way to help. Fast forward to Wednesday around 8:00pm. Just as the rush was waning, faithful Geppetto’s customer, Charlie, reaches out to me and says, “Here’s some money. Firefighters are on their way in and I want to put this toward their meal.” Because Geppetto’s has no windows I was a little confused at first until the little red door flew open and the parade began. From behind the pizza counter I watched as they filed in... not three this time but 10. “You came back!” I shouted as I pointed to one of the three I had seen before. Just then, Charlie turned to the group. With his booming voice and great big heart he thanked the men for their service. So much taking my breath away these days. So much good is happening in the midst of suffering. The men had the same look of exhaustion on their faces. “Come on in, I said. We’ll get you fed and ready for a good nights sleep.” As they headed to table, Charlie picked up his pizza and turned toward the door. “Thanks, Charlie. I said. You’re a good man. Your contribution will go a long way. We’ll see to it they are taken care of.” Immediately my husband, Roger, quietly asked, “And just how are you going to do that?” I quickly did a little math in my head... with Charlie’s donation and a recent gift from my mom, add $100 from another contributor and the $20 sent back to the restaurant from a delivery given for this very cause... “Let’s see where we land.” I told Roger. “God will provide.” Their final bill, when all was said and done, amounted to one dollar shy of the amount we had collected. I went to Roger to give him the good news. “Well, he said, It’s coming out of your pocket.” Those of you who know Roger know he was totally kidding. Together we acknowledge the fact that the losses are great, the depth and breadth of which continues to be revealed. No matter what your place in all this… know that you are never alone. We are in it together for the long haul. Even when the fires are out there will be more to do. Know that Roger and I are praying for all, trusting God will provide perfectly for each and every circumstance. We also wish to acknowledge the spirit of generosity which has exploded in our midst. Digging fire lines through the forest floor of the Oregon wilderness is no small task. To Lowden, Jake, Jeremy and Crew; May your lives be blessed for every inch of progress you made on our behalf. Side note... South Dakota is one of my most favorite states. If you haven’t seen the Crazy Horse Monument near Mt. Rushmore, you should. Its history will blow your mind. |
AuthorJulie Hoy Archives
June 2022
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TEL: (503) 378-1271HoursSunday - Thursday 11:30am - 8:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am - 9:30pm 
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Location616 Lancaster Dr NE | Salem, OR 97301
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