Tony’s All American Grill is open in New Town, transporting diners back to the 1950s when handmade milkshakes, fresh burgers and daylong breakfast were staples.
Tony and Denise Berardi, who also own Buon Amici, opened Tony’s All American Grill next door to Buon Amici on May 1, with a different concept for the new restaurant.
“I want people to come with an open mind and empty stomach,” Denise Berardi said.
The diner plays oldies songs on the radio and is decorated with a black and white checkered tile floor, red vinyl seating and large murals with cars, people and food reminiscent of the 1950s that would make any hungry customer want to reach out and grab a burger or shake off the wall.
“It takes you to a time when it was about fun and family,” Denise said, but “people forget that real food takes time.”
Denise said diners shouldn’t come in expecting to receive their food as quickly as they would at a drive-thru fast food restaurant, but could be in and out in about 30 minutes.
The new diner idea sprung from suggestions and comments made by Buon Amici customers. Denise said she heard customers complain about not having a good option for a burger or for an early breakfast in New Town. The idea for the diner was in discussion between Tony and Denise for a short time before they jumped into it; they spent about a month planning before starting work on the new restaurant.
In response to those wishes for an early-morning option, Tony’s All American Grill opens at 7 a.m. and has a full range of breakfast and lunch options.
For breakfast, diners can choose from things like pancakes, French toast, egg plates or one of seven omelet options, like “The Chesapeake Bay Breeze,” which has lump crabmeat, Smithfield ham, Havarti dill cheese and asparagus for $10.
Lunch and dinner boast burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, salads, and Southern favorites like fried green tomatoes with two eggs and grits for $8.75 or “Cajun ‘Fish and Waffles’” for $10.
Tony’s All American Grill also offers milkshakes made with Blue Bell Ice Cream. Options are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, banana pudding, chocolate chip cookie dough, cookies ‘n’ cream, coffee and toffee crunch.
In advance of opening, Tony’s All American Grill ran a Facebook contest to create “The Williamsburger,” a signature Williamsburg hamburger. The winning burger is topped with Smithfield ham, pineapple and a brown sugar bourbon barbecue sauce.
“People may actually see some of their ideas when they come in and look at the menu,” Denise explained. Many menu suggestions came in on Facebook.
Buon Amici was Tony and Denise’s first restaurant and they plan to run both Buon Amici and Tony’s All American Grill as a team. Tony’s family moved to the U.S. from Italy and owned a pizzeria in New York while Tony was growing up. The husband and wife duo aim to bring the authentic Italian cuisine and New York pizza to Williamsburg.
With the opening of Tony’s All American Grill and its lunch-time success, Buon Amici will be closing for lunch service starting Monday. Denise said she had been planning on closing the restaurant for lunch for a while and the new restaurant created the perfect timing.
Tony’s All American Grill, located at 5203 Center St. in New Town, is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.
