Anthony Sbarro prepares a hotdog at Jimmy G’s on Route 33 in Mercerville Aug. 12, 2013. (Staff photo by Samantha Sciarrotta.)
The Italian hot dog is the signature dish at Jimmy G’s.
The Sbarro family recreates their father’s Italian hot dogs at Jimmy G’s in Hamilton
Ray Sbarro had been selling bread for over 30 years, and he decided it was time for a change. After a phone call from his brother Vincent, who lives in Vermont, he knew exactly what his next career venture would be.
Ray, Vincent, brother Anthony and sister Diana are the grandchildren of Canio “Tony” Sbarro, the original owner of Casino Restaurant. Casino, also known as Tony Goes, was a Chambersburg staple for more than 70 years, famous for its Italian hot dogs topped with green peppers, potatoes and mustard. Vincent called Ray on the phone, and they decided to resurrect the tradition by opening their own restaurant, Jimmy G’s. It’s named after Vincent, who often goes by “Jimmy.”
Ray and his siblings worked in the original restaurant as teenagers. Anthony, who started working at Casino afternoons after school when he was 15, even kept up with the industry long after he left Casino.
“I’ve stayed in the restaurant business ever since, and it all started there,” he said. “I loved it.”
Their prior restaurant experience, coupled with Ray’s background in the bread industry, is what Ray said allowed them to get started so quickly. They had only decided to make a go of Jimmy G’s in May.
“At one time, it was a big family effort,” Ray said. “We learned the little tricks of the trade from my grandfather, and we do it the same exact way.”
Customers have noticed. Ray said countless former Casino patrons come in daily to reminisce about the old days on Anderson Street.
“They come in, and they tell us stories,” he said. “They knew my grandfather, they knew my father, they remember. It’s pleasing to hear that. If you sat here for 15 minutes, you’d probably see three or four people walk in and say something. It’s a pleasure. That’s your reward in this business. It really is. Long days, long hours, but that’s what you get out of it … They talk about when hot dogs were a nickel, they were 15 cents — they taste exactly the same.”
Aside from the familiar fare, the Sbarros added kielbasa—smoked and fresh—to the menu. They prepare it the same way as the hot dog: with peppers, potatoes, and mustard.
Another big seller has been their ribeye steak sandwich, topped with broccoli rabe and provolone cheese.
The restaurant is busy, but Ray said the summer often comes with a lull when customers go on vacation. Still, though, he and his siblings — who all play a part in the business — are pleased, mostly due to the effect it has had on their family.
“Everyone has pitched in and helped,” Ray said. “There’s no way to put it other than my family is so much closer now. The whole thing has been a great, great experience.”
Ray manages the restaurant, while Anthony holds down the kitchen. Vincent handles marketing, and Diana deals with secretarial tasks. A family-based business is what they know. Why change the formula?
“These things can sometimes hurt a family, but it’s helped us tremendously,” Ray said. “I’m grateful. We all have our own little roles we play. The family thing really tends to work, which I had never seen coming. Some people don’t find out how important family is until later in life. I’m one of those guys. They were always important, but it’s so much nicer having them in my life on a regular basis. It’s due to the restaurant, it revolves around it, and it works well. At the end of the day, if I were to close my doors on the business, it’s brought me closer to my family. How can you beat that?”
Both Ray and Anthony said Canio would be “beside himself” if he could see them today.
“If I follow his recipe, I’m successful,” Ray said. “He has been the biggest part in this. I keep attributing it back to him. If I do well, it’s because of his idea. I never came up with this idea. I’m following that set of rules and recipes that he started. I’m used to doing it right.”
Jimmy G’s is located at 335 Route 33 in Mercerville (in center next to Applebee’s at corner of Route 33 and Whitehorse-Mercerville Road), and is open Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Phone: (609) 890-0024
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