BY LIZ WITBECK
A new diner, Mom and Pop’s Café in Ballston
Spa, offers a variety of breakfast and lunch options
for customers.
Mike and Donna Venturiello started the
restaurant in June. The couple, who live in
Ballston Spa, have decades of experience in
the food industry. Mike Venturiello has been
involved with restaurants since he was a teenager,
previously working in Italian restaurants
and pizzerias. His wife worked as a food service
worker for Wesley Community Center. Now that
their children are older, they were interested in
opening their own business.
“We both have been in the business and have
food industry knowledge,” said Venturiello. “We
were interested in being our own bosses.”
Located at 885 Route 67, across from Curtis
Lumber, Mom and Pop’s Café has breakfast
items include eggs, pancakes, and omelets.
The specialty is the frittata, an Italian version
of an omelet, served with home fries and toast.
The diner serves authentic Italian espresso.
Breakfast is served all day.
For lunch, Mom and Pop’s offers pizza, sandwiches
and a variety of soups. Buffalo chicken
wraps and reubens are some of the most popular
items.
Mom and Pop’s offers an array of desserts,
including cannolis, cupcakes and cheesecake.
Although the restaurant has only been open
since June, they already have regular customers
coming in once a week or more to dine, the
owners said.
The Venturiellos emphasize the service and quality of their establishment as reasons why
customers keep coming back, as well as the
large portion sizes.
The family purchases products as locally as
possible in order to support the community.
Items are purchased from wholesale purveyors
in Gloversville and Saugerties.
Mike cooks every meal at Mom and Pop’s
Café, while Donna helps with the front counter.
In addition to their café, Mom and Pop’s also
offers catering for special events.
Mom and Pop’s is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
Monday through Saturday; closed on Sunday.
To learn more, visit momandpopscafe.net or
call 885-1549.