The Gods Must be Happy

By Antoinette May Herndon

It was a good omen: Sam Chastain was whistling while he worked. I took it for a positive portent and was right for once.

The Greek gods were about to smile again on Mokelumne Hill. What, Sam, the oracle revealed was that the Giourousis family was back from a two month sojourn in Tripolis Greece.

Frank Coffee Shop was about to re-open. No one needed to be told to thank his/her lucky stars. We were all ecstatic.

Believe me, in and around Mok Hill, this is a big deal. Frank has become a Foothills destination since its original opening six years ago, kind of like the Olympus of Highway 49.

The restaurant’s owners, Frank and Angie Giourousis, are a lively pair who exude presence. Helping them in the family business are their children and grandchildren. The nine Giourousises work seamlessly together cooking, serving, and pleasing.

The “pleasing” part is the restaurant’s true success secret. Charles and I had hardly sat down when a glass of ice tea magically appeared at my place. For me, it is the nectar of the gods. Besides being real brewed ice tea (a rarity around here), I love the fact that Angie and her daughter, Dina, remember that I like it.

I feel like a star at Frank, but recognize that I’m just one of a twinkling constellation. Frank’s triumph isn’t about reasonable prices or even consistently good food. It’s all about really noticing customers and wanting to make them welcome and happy.

It felt wonderful to come in and see his

reassuring bulk back in the kitchen. The big Frank is a shy guy, but it’s easy to see that he likes people and enjoys doing what he’s doing. Frank had a good time in Greece, but told me that he was really glad to be back.

“We missed you,” I told Angelina when she came to take our order. “You were gone so long, two whole months.”

Dark eyes flashing, she pulled out her vacation photos. “It seemed more like two days to me. I had fun!” Judging from the pictures, part of that fun involved the christening of her namesake granddaughter, a little angel naturally.

Not surprisingly the restaurant was full that Monday morning. Frank is the town kitchen where people come to gossip, plan, organize, see, be seen and especially to eat. If Mok Hill can be said to have power breakfasts, this is where they happen.

The afore mentioned Sam Chastain along with Mike Moran and a few other movers and shakers around Mok enjoy breakfast together every morning at Frank. You can imagine how hard these past couple of months have been for them. Withdrawal is tough. Everyone experienced it to some degree. We’re all a bit addicted to this unique eating place.

It’s always fun to begin the day there. All the food is cooked to order with nothing frozen or pre-cooked. The biscuits and gravy are fresh every day. Everything is homemade, TLC evident in every bite.

The menu is surprisingly varied, too. Can you imagine choosing between 23 omelettes? I couldn’t wait to have my all time favourite--the Greek one. This tasty dish, loaded with feta, onion,

bell pepper, tomato and ham, is priced at $7.95—the menu’s high ticket item.

Charles chose the Denver omelette, ($7.25) another winner. But all around us people were ordering Frank’s special, always a winner. The savoury dish, a scramble of ground beef, mushrooms, onions, spinach and eggs, served with home fries and toast is all of $8.25.

Prices are obviously reasonable at Frank. Consider the country special (one biscuit with gravy, two strips of bacon or two link sausages, two eggs and home fries) for $6.25.

Special cakes are also perennial patron pleasers. Choose between bacon or sausage with two pancakes and two eggs for $5.95. Personally, I like the more exotic offerings like chorizo and eggs for $6.65..

Breakfast is served all day at Frank but there’s also an extensive lunch menu. Select from a variety of pastas ranging from $6.45 to $7.45 or enjoy chicken fried steak with gravy for $7.15. All are served with soup or salad and a pudding dessert. Each day there’s also a surprise special, but then everything’s special at the Frank Coffee Shop.

Verily, verily, the Greek gods are back in their heaven and everyone is smiling in Mok Hill.

VITALS: Frank Coffee Shop is at 8085 Highway 26, at Highway 49, Mokelumne Hill. Phone: 286-1448. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday. No reservations. Cash only.

Photos:

Frank and Angelelina on vacation in Greece.

Frank’s back in his kitchen

Angelena and Dina are a great team at Frank.