Berardi's beloved by all

SANDUSKY — Beth Porter represents more than just a waitress at Berardi's Family Kitchen in Sandusky. Who is she? She's the friendly, familiar face serving countless homemade meals — many paired with those classic, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside french fries — to generations of diners squeezing in those cozy booths overlooking West Perkins Avenue. During a nearly half-decade stint there, Porter has built hundreds, if not thousands, of bonds with customers. She's befriended people who have become parents and then grandparents. In turn, they bring their children and grandchildren to not only enjoy a bevy of home-cooked traditions but also to meet Porter and continue a tradition forever linked under one roof. "What I love is my customers," said Porter, whose career with Berardi's spans 48 years with no end in sight. Porter chose, continued and is forever committed to making her livelihood at what she considers a true dream job primarily because of the people: those she works for and those she works with. "I have the best bosses ever. That's why I've stayed," Porter said. Other than Porter, the only other person not directly connected to the Berardi bloodline with more seniority there is Jean Orzech. She's worked at Berardi's for 50 years. It's also where she met her husband, John Orzech, the former Sandusky police chief and present-day city manager, when serving him in 1991. Berardi's management team labeled Orzech as the anchor of this eatery because of her never-wavering dedication to diners and colleagues alike. Orzech, in turn, treats the designation as a high honor. And she herself is fully fastened to working there with no plans of drifting away anytime soon. "I've stayed so long because you all are family," Orzech said about her customers and colleagues. "I'm definitely comfortable here: It's my home away from home. The best part is the people I work with every day and, definitely, our awesome customers." Loyalty to the local restaurant Porter and Orzech represent a rarity in the restaurant and service industry these days, but it's far from uncommon in their shared workplace. They're among the many employees at Berardi's Family Kitchen in Sandusky who have worked there for at least two decades. To kick off 2026, marking its 87th operational business year, Berardi's management team — consisting of co-owner Maria Berardi — wanted to gather everyone together to thank them. It's not a new year's resolution: She's always grateful for their support but, simply put, wanted others to take notice. "So many people always talk about how bad their employees are or how hard it is to find help, but that couldn't be further from the truth here," said Maria, who's been working at Berardi's since she was 8 years old. This translates to her working at the restaurant, in one Sandusky-area location or another, for more than 56 years. "We take a lot of pride and honor that we have so many great people here and so many who have been with us forever. They are our family," Maria added. "I know that's a cliche, but they're really our family." Maria, who represents the third generation of family members to run Berardi's properties, learned to appreciate and respect her staff from her late grandparents, doubling as the founder of Berardi's: grandmother Eurosia, better known as "Momma Berardi," and grandfather Secondo. Their children and Maria's parents — Albert or "Al" and Rosanne — the second generation, also doubled down on instilling these traits in her. Maria and others pay tribute to Berardi's forefathers and their lasting impact in many ways, evident with pictures of them lining the landmark restaurant's walls. There are also some artifacts around the space. For instance, the original potato peeler, which sliced up french fries at Cedar Point that her grandparents used, sits in the establishment's entryway. It's a reminder to never forget roots, Maria said. "They taught me all about hard work and, most importantly, treating people well," Maria said about her parents and grandparents. "Those are really the two things that make a business successful." All positions — no matter cooks, servers, hosts or cleaners — not only remain thankful for this mindset but reciprocate it to every person walking through the doors, waiting to eat popular staples like potato knoepfle soup, bran muffins, house salads and/or fresh apple pie. Because of this, Berardi's truly feels like a family restaurant, said Lori Rogers, a 32-year-long server at the establishment who, like Porter and Orzech, has no plans of working elsewhere anytime soon. "The bosses will go out of the way to make you feel taken care of, even in my personal aspects," Rogers said. "I've stayed so long because I have acquired a second family. That means as much to me as my own family." Maria agreed with Rogers. "We have the support of the locals, and that's because our employees treat them like family," Maria said. "They know our regulars by name and know what they want to eat and drink before they even greet them. They always go above and beyond, and it's not just our servers: It's everyone. I'm so grateful." Maria also expressed gratitude toward her son, Dan Leber, the fourth generation and another co-owner, for taking a leading role and wanting to continue with this proud family legacy. "I am so excited he took an interest in the restaurant," said Maria, who pretty much raised Dan at Berardi's, juggling her responsibilities as a mother and business owner. "And his children, my grandchildren, the fifth generation, they all want to work here. My one grandson said it would just be the most amazing thing ever to work here, and that makes me so proud." Supreme customer satisfaction Many longtime customers and loyalists of Berardi's spoke about why it's their favorite restaurant. Among the diners dishing out their feelings: • Sheri Miller, a 35-year-long customer of Berardi's: "Everything is good: from soups to salads and steaks and breakfast. I come in for the great service, smiles, cleanliness and warm staff." • Linda Boos, also a customer of at least 35 years: "I keep coming in because of the food and all the people working here." • Larry Aaron, a 30-year-long customer: "I have not had a bad (meal) here ever. I enjoy the friendly staff and Deb's jokes." • Barbara Schmetzler, a 30-plus-year customer, said she equally loves the croissants and staff members who bring them out to her table. • Steve Sandbor, a customer for about three years, enjoys all breakfast meals and those who wait on him. • Jean Corbin has been eating at Berardi's since it was known as The BZB, short for Busy Berardi's, restaurant. She's partial to the omelets. "I come in because of the service, and the food is amazing." By the numbers Here's a look at who are some of the longstanding Berardi's Family Kitchen employees and how many years they've been employed by the company: Note: All presently work at Sandusky's restaurant but could have worked for Berardi's elsewhere previously: • 50 years — Jean Orzech • 48 years — Beth Porter • 39 years — Otis Johnson, James Moore • 38 years — Doris Johnson • 37 years — Cindy Schwab • 35 years — Monica Muratori • 33 years — Cheryl Niehm • 32 years — Lori Rogers • 30 years — Deb Mooney • 30-plus years — Jenny Schaefer • 23 years — James Moore, Julie Braun, Shari James Meanwhile, co-owner Maria Berardi has worked at Berardi's for 56 years, including the past 42 years as co-owner. Tom Leber has also served as a co-owner for 42 years. And their son, Dan Leber, racked up 12 years as the third co-owner but has worked there, in other capacities, for nearly his entire life. Many of these employees also spoke about why they've chosen to work at Berardi's for so long: • Doris Johnson noted how her colleagues are fun, friendly, respectful and easy to get along with. "And the bosses let us run the show as long as it is correct. That's why I love Berardi's." • Otis Johnson stressed how the restaurant feels like his home away from home. "I've stayed so long because it's a great job, and I love the people I work with. My favorite thing about Berardi's is that they have always had my back." • Berardi's reminds Mooney of her mother's restaurant in Findlay. "That made it a big draw for me. Berardi's allows us to have holidays off to be with family, which is a major plus." • Moore appreciates the mutual respect shared by all Berardi's stakeholders. "I love my job here because of the way that they treat you. My favorite thing about Berardi's is working with queen Maria." • Schwab echoed Moore's sentiments. "I've stayed so long because of the respect I have received as an employee and the wonderful people I work with." History lesson Beardi's Family Kitchen offered some insight into its history: The Berardi's family has been serving up delicious homemade food to the Sandusky, Ohio, and surrounding area for 87 years and counting. Made famous for our french fries at Cedar Point, we're also a favorite to locals and tourists for our hearty and homemade breakfast, lunch, dinner and made-from-scratch soups and famous desserts. It all started with a little green wagon and a paring knife, thus Berardi's french fries began and have continued since starting in 1939. Al Berardi worked in the Cedar Point Penny Arcade, selling skee-ball tickets, working 60-plus hours a week, making $11 per week. In 1942, Al Berardi, along with his brother Gene, built the first french fry stand. After a few years, Al's partner left to pursue other interests. So along with Al's mother, Eurosia — known by all as Momma Berardi — Berardi's continued to sell its hand-washed, hand-cut french fries along with owning and operating many of Cedar Point's first rides, such as the flying scooter, the pretzel dark ride — later known as the Monster — the tilt-a-whirl and others. In addition, Secondo Berardi also helped open the Spaghetti Hut at Cedar Point in 1947, selling spaghetti dinners for 75 cents. By the 1970s and two french fry stands later, the Berardis were selling as many as 2 tons of potatoes in a single day. That's a lot of potatoes. In 1978, after almost 40 years of great success and much hard work, the Berardi family and the original Berardi french fries left Cedar Point. The Berardi family opened several restaurants in the area: • Berardi's Wagon Wheel, on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) in Sandusky next to WLEC/WCPZ, specialized in fresh roast beef sandwiches, french fries and Roseanne Berardi's famous homemade pies. It was run by the family for many years and, eventually, was sold. • In 1962, The BZB, for Busy Berardi's, restaurant began down the street on West Perkins Avenue, a few blocks away from where Berardi's Family Kitchen operates today. It was sold a couple of times under land contract and taken back over by Berardi's and reopened in 1977. • Berardi's Family Restaurant in Huron opened in 1979. It is now owned by Tony McGue, who is Maria Berardi's nephew. • In 1984, Maria Berardi and Tom Leber bought The BZB, which became Berardi's Family Kitchen. • In 1989, the BZB outgrew its space, allowing Maria Berardi and Tom Leber to purchase the former Stadium Diner, where Berardi's Family Kitchen operates today. Al Berardi died of cancer in November 1984. His wife, Rosanne, died of cancer in 1992. They are greatly missed by their family, friends and customers. They left a great name that our family takes great pride in. Al's and Rosanne's love for people, their dedication and promise of quality have and always will be the reason why Berardi's restaurants have been so successful. Today we are proud to say we are in our fourth generation as our son, Dan Leber, along with the third generation, of Maria and Tom, and all of our great employees — many have been here 20, 30, 40 and even 50 years — continue to bring you what you expect from the Berardi family. So from Tom, Maria, Dan and the rest of the Berardi's, we wish to thank all of you, our loyal customers for being an important part of our success, and we hope to please and serve you for many years to come.