From breakfast to do dinner and everything in between
By Edwin Scherzer
Correspondent
There’s a new dining establishment in the ever-changing landscape of the downtown Elkhorn restaurant scene.
Family Kitchen restaurant has been open for business just about the time most of us were putting away the leftover turkey.
Judging from its opening weekend promotion, a free, “Black Friday” fish fry, it will be winning over both local customers and visitors.
Owner/chef Tony Dzabiroski operates Family Kitchen at 31 N. Wisconsin St. and has plenty of support from family.
“Mom helps out in the morning, dad helps out also” Dzabiroski said.
Being a restaurateur runs in the family for several generations,
“My grandparents still own a restaurant in Chicago, and we used to own the Princess Café in East Troy,” he said.
Even though Dzabiroski is only 26, he worked in kitchens throughout middle and high school. He also attended culinary school, and in his spare time is finishing an MBA and hopes to graduate next summer.
Family Kitchen offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast entrees include skillets, omelets and specialty items such as bananas foster pancakes and cherry jubilee waffles.
Lunch and dinner include burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads, with homemade buns, pita bread and fresh sauces.
“My goal was to make my own sauces,” Dzabiroski explained, “Even the French fries are fresh cut.”
For those with hearty appetites, the menu offers steaks and baby back ribs. The restaurant also features Greek cuisine with a gyros platter and Greek pork chops.
Dzabiroski said the atmosphere inside Family Kitchen will be family casual. Kids will be treated to their own menu with crayons for coloring.
The large, bright dining room invites conversation, with space available for large parties. There also is a cozy, half-bar featuring a beer and wine menu.
And, of course, Dzabiroski is very accessible, “I like the small-town atmosphere, and I like to get know my customers,” he said.
Even as he meets new customers, his family will be in the background, supporting, watching and offering advice, such as Dzabiroski’s grandfather.
“If it’s fresh, its good, he says,” as Tony offers explanation, not imitation, “with an accent of course.”
