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#1094815 - 10/27/09 09:09 PM
Re: New Restaurant in Port Byron
[Re: Josephus]
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cinlou
Member
Registered: 05/26/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Montezuma, NY USA
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It finally opened? Well, I will have to go check it out tomorrow. Not sure what is happening with the Port Byron Hotel. People tell me different things. The last I knew the Mennonites bought it and hired only mennonites and amish to work on it. Someone else is supposed to run it as an Inn.
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#1094898 - 10/28/09 02:31 AM
Re: New Restaurant in Port Byron
[Re: cinlou]
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reilley
Silver Member
Registered: 01/17/05
Posts: 11193
Loc: between here and there
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this was in the aubpub.
Sweet Deal
By Kathleen Barran / The Citizen
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 11:55 PM EDT
PORT BYRON - Port Byron residents didn't waste any time finding a new restaurant open at the intersection of Routes 31 and 38 in the center of the village.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Magdy's Eats and Sweets owners Magdy Abd El Hadi, left, and Ali Abou Eid prepare food in the restaurant's kitchen Monday morning. Magdy's opened last Friday on Utica Street in the village of Port Byron. Festooned with balloons and pennants, Magdy's Eats and Sweets, at 72 Utica St., had an “Open” sign in the window for its “soft” opening Friday, Oct. 23. A steady stream of customers filed in to sit at neat little tables or up at the small counter.
“By the looks of things, we're going to need more staff,” said Tammy Hackett, head waitress. Right now, waitresses Melissa Mitchell and Jenna Bently are among seven employees. Hackett said there are loads of applications on file.
The full service restaurant, seating a maximum of 70, is open every day for breakfast and lunch, and every day but Sunday for dinner. The traditional bakery, not yet open, is expected to be running in November, serving bread, pastry and cakes.
Partners Magdy Abd El Hadi and his cousin Ali Abou Eid, both from Egypt, decided to go into business together about three years ago when the building on Utica Street went up for auction. They quickly bought it, but took time deciding to renovate and actually open.
At first they had the roof repaired and then waited for the right time to move forward. In fact, it was difficult to find out when they actually were opening -“soon” was the local answer. They finally decided on a Wednesday to open that Friday.
They expect to have a grand opening in a couple of weeks.
El Hadi, who lives in Auburn with his wife and two children, had been a chef at the Port Byron Diner for about 15 years, while Abou Eid has two similar businesses in the Poughkeepsie area - Happy Days Cafe in Millbrook and Adams Diner in Dover Plains.
“As cousins, we often visit each other,” Abou Eid said. “I wanted to bring him there for our business, and he wanted to bring me here.”
Abou Eid added that he is thinking of moving to Cayuga County.
Two or three months ago, the restoration began in earnest. Abou Eid said they mainly spread the news of their opening by word of mouth.
“Magdy has a great personality,” said Hackett, who worked with him at the Port Byron Diner. “We have a lot of fun.”
Abou Eid said El Hadi's name is on the restaurant because everybody knows him in town.
“People like him,” he said. “He likes to get up at 4 a.m. and get started by 5. He's always friendly and if you ask a favor, he's there for you. People are there for him, too.”
The five-page menu includes typical appetizers - potato skins, nachos, wings and more. Dinner and lunch include traditional fare like seafood, steak, pasta, turkey, ham and meatloaf entrees, as well as sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips, gyro on pita, wraps and subs. There's also a menu for children 12 and younger.
Prices average around $6, while the cheapest item on the menu is coffee or tea, for $1.25. A steak or seafood platter costs a high of $13.95.
Take-out is available, and there is a private dining room for events such as birthdays. Abou Eid said future plans include catering as well.
“We always wanted to have our own business,” Abou Eid said. “We came here for better opportunity and a better life. The United States is the only place for opportunity. They leave you alone and they love you.”
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can ************
If you go
What: Magdy's Eats and Sweets
When: Open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays
Where: 72 Utica St., Port Byron
Info: Call 776-5899
_________________________
remember the smile
Charter Member:Beaughko Dinky Dau Advisory Society
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#1095965 - 10/29/09 03:10 PM
Re: New Restaurant in Port Byron
[Re: reilley]
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Josephus
Senior Member
Registered: 08/25/00
Posts: 3817
Loc: Conquest, NY
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Festooned with balloons and pennants, Magdy's Eats and Sweets, at 72 Utica St., had an “Open” sign in the window for its “soft” opening Friday, Oct. 23. A steady stream of customers filed in to sit at neat little tables or up at the small counter.
“By the looks of things, we're going to need more staff,” said Tammy Hackett, head waitress.
Although I enjoyed their food, it's probably fair to mention that Brenda's diner (down the street, and very popular) is closed for two weeks for renovations. This would help account for the "steady stream of customers." Brenda's customers checking out the competition.
_________________________
"Indifference to history is more than just ignorance. It's a form of ingratitude."
-David McCullough
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#1096892 - 10/30/09 10:36 PM
Re: New Restaurant in Port Byron
[Re: Josephus]
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cinlou
Member
Registered: 05/26/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Montezuma, NY USA
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I went tonight with the family. Very busy and good food. Quite a good menu with a lot on it. I think a lot of people are checking Magdy's out.
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#1104412 - 11/15/09 11:47 AM
Re: New Restaurant in Port Byron
[Re: Dinky Dau]
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cinlou
Member
Registered: 05/26/08
Posts: 75
Loc: Montezuma, NY USA
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No the Port Byron Hotel won't be open for awhile. They need to work on the inside now. Outside looks great! Windows are in too!
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Moderator: FL1 Staff, FL1 Mod, FL1 Tek Deluxe, FL1 Mod 2, FL1 Office, FL1 Mod 3
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My question is regarding the hotel across the street, which is due to open soon. You indicated above that it has opened and you need to check it out. Perhaps you meant Magdy's rather than the hotel?
