In 1991, I stumble on a restaurant for sale and decided to buy it. My dad asks to meet. Which we did the next day. Before he even sits himself down he says “Are you being a schmuck? You’re a lawyer! Why would you want to walk away from that and buy a run down restaurant on PCH?”
A heated conversation followed. I finally ask “You were good at what you did, right?” He noded. “And you loved what you did, right?” Again he noded. “Well dad…. I don’t like being a lawyer. I want to be like you.”
Fast forward. I take over the PCH spot. Open another in the Palisades 9 months later. And yet another one in Brentwood 3 years after that. They all grow busy. My dad starts coming in more and more to “see the action” and play the host.
One night in Brentwood my dad was greeting and seating people. Mel Brooks, Ann Bancroft and 6 others came in that night. When they were done eating, I asked Ann if she’d say hi to my dad. And added … “I think he’s always had a crush on you.” She asked me his name. And without skipping a beat shouted out “Hey Al, get over here.” They sat there ‘kibitzing’ for quite a while. Until my dad walked them to the door with a big smile on his face.
A bit later I walked my dad to his car. Before getting in he said “Remember that night we met at that restaurant. And I tried to talk you out of doing this?” After a little pause he then said “I’m glad you didn’t listen to me.”
Up for another story? https://kayndaves.com/2026/05/17/ill-take-a-chance-on-you/
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