THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 13, 1996 TAG: 9606110146
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: On The Town
LENGTH: 88 lines
SISTERS JENNIFER ROLL and Gloria Pardus came to the United States from their native Korea more than 20 years ago, married to military men.
They took jobs waiting tables, moving where the military sent their husbands.
When Roll's husband retired from his posting at the Armed Forces Staff College, Hampton Roads became home, and she started looking for a small business to buy. A Virginia Beach resident, Roll had worked in downtown Norfolk at the Manhattan Clothing Store. But her sister Gloria, also a Beach resident who worked at Forbidden City Chinese Restaurant, admits she had never been past Waterside. An agent showed them the property on the corner of Granby and York streets, Mr. Dog 'n Friends, and they went into business last December.
Not only did they inherit a fixed menu, but they also kept the experienced kitchen crew on hand, including head cook Helena Prowder and her assistants, ``Miss Alice'' and ``Miss Martha.'' Some of the staff go back to the days when the place was a bustling downtown eatery known as The Dutch Kitchen.
Mr. Dog 'n Friends serves more than hot dogs. Open for breakfast and lunch (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) Monday through Friday, the menu offers sandwiches, from a Reuben ($4.75) or triple-decker club ($3.95) to a steak 'n cheese, meatball or turkey sub ($4.25). There are hot dogs, including a footlong ($1.99 with mustard, onions and chili), homemade soups, and breakfast is served all day long.
But the sisters say most customers order from a monthly calendar that details what $3.95 specials will be offered day by day. Today, your choices will be beef stroganoff over noodles or the seafood platter. Every Friday this month, a variety of pasta dishes will be offered, from tomorrow's spaghetti with meat sauce or stuffed shells to next Friday's veal parmesan over noodles or an eggplant platter. This coming Tuesday, baked pork chops or chicken-a-la-king over biscuits will be offered. Next Thursday, the specials are meatloaf with onions and bell peppers or a deli cold plate.
There are also monthly specials available very day in June, such as a fried pork chop smothered with onions and gravy over rice, or an open-face hot roast beef sandwich ($3.25), or a cottage cheese and fruit platter ($3.95).
This is ``comfort food,'' and if you want to experience a dining experience straight from the Eisenhower era, give the place a try. I had a pair of fried marinated pork chops with green beans and mashed potatoes and gravy, served on a blue plate, and while it was certainly not slimming, it reminded me of the food I grew up on.
Mr. Dog 'n Friends (529 Granby St.) isn't fancy, but the folks are friendly, and if you're interested in free delivery to downtown, or getting a copy of the monthly menu calendar, call 622-0921 and they'll fax you one.
A few columns back I mentioned the Full Circle AIDS Hospice Support benefit called ``Dinner Is Served.'' This Saturday, private homes all over Hampton Roads will open for formal and informal gatherings to raise funds to help secure and deliver meals to homebound AIDS patients, and in some cases, to provide no-charge living assistance when necessary.
Marty Mendelsohn, executive director of Full Circle, a nonprofit interfaith organizations, tells me that last year's event raised approximately $40,000, and he's shooting for $60,000 this year. Those attending dinners at private homes are expected to donate an unspecified amount, and all are invited to gather after dinner at the Norfolk Botanical Garden for a gala party from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m.
``It's Full Circle's way of saying thanks to the hosts and the people attending the dinners,'' Mendelsohn said. ``We'll have approximately 15 restaurants donating signature desserts, and each will have their own table. There will be complimentary champagne, coffee and bottled water, and live entertainment under a big tent.''
Last year's post-dinner party was held at Stockley Gardens, but Mendelsohn said the event has outgrown the venue. Participants will include Tuxedo Beach Catering, Lynnhaven Fish House, Sweet Temptations, Uncle Louie's, Tradewinds, Fire & Ice, Grand Affairs, Toques Creative Catering, Holiday Inn Hampton, Dumbwaiter, Dail's Loaves & Fishes; Antiquities, and Chef Monroe Duncan. If you aren't attending a dinner, but want more information about the party, call 622-2989. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SAM MARTINETTE
Sisters Gloria Pardus and Jennifer Roll inherited a fixed menu and
an experienced kitchen crew when they bought the downtown eatery,
Mr. Dog 'n Friends, last December.
AT A GLANCE
What: Mr. Dog 'n Friends
Where: 529 Granby St.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday
Menu: Sandwiches, hot dogs, homemade soups, daily $3.95 specials.
Breakfast is served all day long.
Phone: For free delivery to downtown, or getting a copy of the
monthly menu calendar, call 622-0921. by CNB