By Alex Vaughn

If you have spent any amount of time in the Wilton Manors area within the last twenty years, there’s a very good chance you have been to Andrews Diner. Nestled on Andrews Avenue just south of Oakland Park Blvd, the family-owned diner has become a favorite of the community. Next week, it will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. The Florida Agenda takes a look back over 20 years of family, community and great food!

Andrews Diner is the combination of an old-fashioned New York diner and a small town restaurant. The one thing that you notice immediately is the friendly family atmosphere. The owners, Gerri and Angelo, are as formidable a team in life as they are as restaurateurs. Gerri says, “The diner is in many ways our home. Our daughter Marla grew up behind the register. She even had her wedding rehearsal here this year. Angelo and I will also be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary here on December 11. Of course, we are also celebrating 20 years of Andrews Diner!”

That family atmosphere extends without a doubt to the new and established clientele who continue to support Andrews Diner. Gerri says the success in maintaining her customers harks back to the original goal of Andrews Diner: “Our goal has always been to make the customers feel at home serving delicious food at reasonable prices.”

I asked Gerri about the gay community and she is quick to explain “The gay community has been a mainstay of our customer base. I grew up in the 50s and it has been wonderful to see the progress the gay community has made. No one should have to live in shame when there is nothing to be shameful of. There is still a long way to go but we are happy to see the gains that have been made. Thank God for Broadway!” This humor and charm has made Gerri the “Hostess with the Mostess,” allowing her to get close to her customers. She tells me, “We have seen couples date, fall in love, get married and have children. We have sung badly to celebrate many birthdays. The customers have become part of our extended family. They bring us all their problems, joys, funny stories, hugs
and kisses!” Angelo chimes in, “It’s also sad when we lose one of our customers if they get sick or pass away, because we have known them for so long.”

Furthermore Gerri has managed to achieve something that in today’ s world i

s almost impossible. The Diner has gone cell phone free. Between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and all day Sunday, patrons of Andrews Diner are not allowed to use their phone. “Everybody is entitled to relax and not hear someone else’s annoying conversation!” Gerri remarks glibly. I ask how customers react, “Those that hated it the most, now love it, I ask you, why do you bother going out to dinner if you are all on the phone?” It seems to have worked though. People don’t argue with Gerri. She laughs as she comes to the realization of the success of the no cell phone policy, “Oh my God, it’s like we brought back talking!”

Now, the atmosphere and the ambience have gone a long way in keeping Andrews Diner popular. However the main aspect is, of course, the food and service. “Angelo crafts beautiful, fresh and all home-made food,” Gerri exclaims proudly.  “We provide service with laughter and good times. We may not remember your name but we will always remember your drink order!”

I ask her how she runs the ship: “We want everything just so and we have high expectations. In this sense, I suppose, we possess a bit of an iron fist, with a lot of humor. The advantage of leading like this is obvious – 20 years of success!” She beams again. There is no question that Gerri is a woman who is brimming with pride for her family and her business. She knows how to look after her staff too, a fact that is evident as she tells me, “Most of our employees have been with us the entire time. We make a good team. We anticipate the needs and wants of all who join us!”

What else does she think has contributed to their success? Hard work! “Our continued success is based on being there seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch and also serving dinner on Thursdays and Fridays! Angelo gets to the diner every day at 4 a.m. and we don’t leave till four hours after we close. This is one clean diner!”

So how will they be celebrating this milestone 20 years? “We want our friends and customers to join us on Friday, November 25, after 6 p.m., for a party of good food, good friends, fun and a few surprises!”

So, you know where you need to be on November 25, with Gerri, Angelo, their daughter Marla and her husband Chris and of course, the whole staff/family of Andrews Diner!

Andrews Diner is located at 2980 N Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale and their phone number is 954-563-3555. They are open for breakfast and lunch everyday and dinners on Thursdays & Fridays. The hours of operation are Mon, Tues &?Wed: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thurs &?Fri: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sat: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sun: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.