San Jose Mercury News, CA
July 30 2014
Sunnyvale: Armenian Gourmet to close after 40 years
By Alia Wilson
For the past 40 years, the Armenian Gourmet classic Lebanese-Armenian
restaurant has been more than a place to grab a bite; it has been a
home away from home for South Bay residents and employees.
The 48-seat restaurant has seen its share of birthday celebrations,
first dates, engagement proposals, holiday parties and even funeral
receptions. Over generations, customers have become a part of the
restaurant’s family, celebrating life’s special occasions. But come
this fall, the locally owned business will bid farewell and close its
doors for good.
It was in July 1974 when Aram and Florence Janjigian of Saratoga held
the grand opening of the Armenian Gourmet.
Back then it was a part of the Fair Oaks Plaza strip mall, and before
long–thanks to Aram’s cooking and customers’ word of mouth–every
night saw a line out the door.
Ten years later they built their current building, which sits detached
from the rest of the strip mall at 929 E. Duane Ave. The restaurant
hasn’t changed much over the years, and neither has the menu.
Aram refers to the dishes as “California Armenian.”
“The problem with Armenians is we come from various areas in the
world, and you use the local herbs and spices of whatever is
available,” Aram said. “When someone asks, ‘Do you have authentic
Armenian food?’ I don’t know what that means.”
But Aram said his family hails from Lebanon, which is why he features
Lebanese dishes such as humus and tabbuli.
Keeping it small and informal is what the couple says kept the
restaurant going for so many years.
“You know, little old ladies used to come with their kids, and now
their kids have kids,” Aram said. “We know our customers by name, and
we look forward to coming in to work every morning.”
Aram said he is going to turn 70, however, and they feel like they’ve
been missing out on their social circles and time with family.
“It’s going to be a shocker once I stop,” Aram said. “I wont know what
to do with myself.”
Char Petersen, a customer of 40 years, says she hopes Aram will put
together a cookbook before he hangs up his apron.
The 47-year-old San Jose resident has been coming to the restaurant
since her parents started bringing her. Her father, who owned a
printing business at the time, helped the Janjigians print their first
business cards and menus.
Petersen said when her parents passed away, the Janjigians opened up
the restaurant for the family to come and eat after the funeral.
“We were in a vulnerable place, but it was like coming home,” Petersen
said. “There’s a special something that he puts in his food that just
brings you back, and they’re just wonderful people. I’m so
broken-hearted because there is never going to be another Aram’s. You
see a lot of the same faces when you’re there, too. It reminds me of
Cheers, where everybody knows your name.”
Twenty-seven-year customer Andrea Schatz, 58, of San Francisco, said
there is nothing like the restaurant and no one like Aram and
Florence.
“As sorry as I am to see after 40 years all of this go, the reality is
everything good in life must come to an end,” Schatz said. “It’s been
a wonderful opportunity to meet such a beautiful family who fell in
love with me as much as I fell in love with them. They’ve decided time
to move on, and I totally respect that and am happy for them.”
While the restaurant has seen a lot change over the years–from
companies like Verbatim, Tandem, MIPS, Amdahl, and National
Semiconductor coming and going to the huge AMD lawn turning into a
residential neighborhood–the food and service have always stayed the
same.
“His food is delicious,” Florence said. “I always tell people that he
can make a bologna sandwich taste good.”
The Janjigians are predicting the store will close up shop sometime in
the end of August or the middle of September.