JIMMY’S LUNCH :: 84 CONGRESS STREET :: 518-273-0900
When people in Troy speak about the restaurant Jimmy’s Lunch, there’s an aura of both homestyle comfort and mystery. It’s one of those “institutions” that cemented a town, but you’re not sure exactly why. In an age of technology, .5 seconds of liking photos and business ventures that rise quick, but fall even quicker, Jimmy’s Lunch is the underdog; leisurely moving along at its own pace, and its marathon continues. When you enter the bay-window flanked space at 84 Congress Street, it feel like you’re in a cross between Grandma’s house and a diner- because it is. Tess Anastatialondis , the owner and chef built out the space, installed the kitchen, counter and stools with her husband Jimmy, in 1983. She has decorated it like her home, with family photos, her embroidered artwork, tchotchkes from Greece; because it is her home. She says she doesn’t have the space in her apartment above the restaurant for these items, so they get displayed at the restaurant. She proudly shows off her mandarin orange plant at the front of the restaurant, talking about how delicious its juice is, in her tea.
Tess immigrated to the US from Athens Greece when she was 23 years old in 1971, leaving behind her 6 sisters and parents. She met Jimmy, her second husband while working at the Jimmy’s Lunch at 93 Congress Street. At the time, Troy Light Company occupied the space of Jimmy’s current location. The company moved across the street and Jimmy and Tess decided to purchase the building in 1984 and opened Jimmy’s Lunch on the first floor. The spent a year designing and building the restaurant and opened, offering classic American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including sandwiches and soups, coffee and tea. Tess and Jimmy lived a comfortable life, working, traveling and keeping in touch with family. Each one of her sisters takes turns calling her every day from Greece, even to this day.
Tess’ favorite part of her job are her customers. She remembers their orders and enjoys seeing them daily. She can quickly whip up pancakes or hot oatmeal and chat with guests at the same time. It feels like you are just visiting a friend’s house. Jimmy passed in 1993, leaving the business to Tess. She always ran the front and had never actually cooked, Jimmy took care of everything. The only she could do, to keep the business, was to learn. Eggs were the hardest part! She practiced until she could flip the perfect egg.
After many years of running the restaurant, Tess decided to move to part-time hours, 4 hours a day and breakfast only. Her regulars still come, but in addition to work, Tess’ schedule includes church, a day for cleaning and a day for errands. She occasionally visits her sons and their families in Clifton Park and New York City. She hasn’t had a car since Jimmy’s passing, but the Downtown area is very conducive for walking or the bus. Everything she needs is conveniently located. Tess is a long-time resident, an entrepreneur and a true “Helen of Troy.”
©Downtown Troy BID 2019