Having grown up in the restaurant business, Jim Angelopoulos
dreamed about owning his own restaurant. It wasn
’t going to be just any old eatery — it would be something
special. A place where people would have such a blast that they
couldn’t wait to come back again.
Having grown up in the restaurant business, Jim Angelopoulos dreamed about owning his own restaurant.
It wasn’t going to be just any old eatery — it would be something special. A place where people would have such a blast that they couldn’t wait to come back again.
Angelopoulos’ dream is about to come true with the opening of his new restaurant, Scrambl’z Diner, in the old Lyon’s location on East Dunne Avenue on Thursday.
From the unforgettable name to the party-themed decor, Scrambl’z is taking aim at the fun crowd, Angelopoulos said.
“I wanted to create a real kid-friendly environment,” he said. “I hate boring restaurants and when people come in I want them to feel the energy.”
To that end, Scrambl’z will feature a happy face theme on everything from the restaurant’s facade to the servers’ uniforms.
The fun-filled party theme will be continued throughout the location, from carpets and streamers to a hodge-podge of props on the walls, along with a gas pump with a fish tank in it and a special kids waiting area.
On the tables, which will feature massive ketchup bottles, popcorn will be served to all patrons in the evening.
All diners will get free bazooka gum after a meal and there will be free lollipops at the register.
In addition, booths will be reserved especially for birthday parties every day.
And, there will be the requisite big screen TVs for the sports fans.
But the real treat is the Scrambl’z specialty — a one-liter (32-oz.) hot fudge sundae.
(The huge sundae is also free to all those celebrating a birthday at Scrambl’z.)
“If it’s fun we’ll do it,” Angelopoulos said.
Despite all the bells and whistles, Angelopoulos has no illusions about what will pique restaurant goers’ interest — the menu and the service.
“The theme brings them in but the most important thing is the quality of the food and good service,” he said.
Scrambl’z staff of 70 full-time and part-time employees will serve a three-meal menu of about 120 items, featuring everything from crepes to prime rib and from omelettes to burgers, along with a full kids menu.
Scrambl’z will also have full fountain service and will offer beer and wine once the alcohol license comes through in a month or so.
The 42-year-old Angelopoulos is tapping an expertise born of decades in the business to make Scrambl’z a success.
He grew up working in his father, Bill’s, restaurant — the Square Meal Cafe in San Martin — in the early 1970s. (The place is now called the San Martin Cafe.)
And, he remembers working round-the-clock KP at the age of 10 at the 24-hour establishment.
After his dad sold the cafe, Angelopoulos continued his culinary career at the family-owned City Diner at Blossom Hill and Almaden Expressway.
Angelopoulos big chance to start his own place came when he was driving through Morgan Hill earlier this year and noticed that the Lyon’s restaurant building looked neglected.
After inquiring about the location, he discovered it was about to become available and took the plunge.
Originally intended to be a breakfast restaurant (hence, the name), the Scrambl’z menu quickly expanded once Angelopoulos sensed a need in the community.
“Morgan Hill is a great community and it’s growing,” he said. “I may even move her myself some time soon.”
Angelopoulos said he kept the Scrambl’z name even after the menu expanded because it reflects his unique vision for the restaurant.
“The name is playful and memorable,” he said.
And, if Angelopoulos has his way, his new restaurant will be, too.
Scrambl’z is open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to midnight, at 775 East Dunne Ave. in Morgan Hill. Details: (408) 779-0779.
