Open For Take-Out!

The wait is over!  Today I proudly announce that Papa Joe's is OPEN FOR TAKEOUT!  Joe and his loyal team is now accepting your family style orders available for pick up from his kitchen at the Quality Inn on highway 50 at I-75.  Satisfy your cravings for authentic Italian cuisine with the taste that only comes from chef Papa Joe.  Orders can be placed at (352)799-3904 and are accepted with at least 24 hours advance notice.  Order today and pick up tomorrow!  Choose from family sized pans of lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, chicken soprano, fresh salads, cheesecakes, or whatever suites your fancy!  It would be our pleasure to once again prepare your dinner and see you, our valued and missed family of customers!  Mention that you saw it here on Papa Joe's blog and receive a FREE gallon of fresh brewed tea with your order, because we value our fans!

Check us out at www.papajoes.org
Telephone (352)799-3904

The Backbone

This is the portrait of an excellent leader! Its only been recently that I began to understand the true qualities of effective leadership and Jeannie fits the bill for so many of them.  Leading and managing is all about empowerment and encouragement and to successfully contribute these two basic elements is more than half the battle.  She told me years ago that her job required her to wear many hats and to wear the right hat for the occasion and this holds true.  When dealing with an eclectic staff of 45, she juggled role play as friend, boss, mom, counselor, nurse and law.  She is consistent in her character, quick to forgive, and eager to lead.  Jeannie Cameron is the general manager of Papa Joe's and has worked by Joe's side since the beginning.  She started as a dishwasher and moved up through the ranks until reaching the top.  Working "for" Jeannie was to work "with" her, she was never afraid to tackle anything needing done.  She is a jack of all trades, loyal through and through and a straight shooter.  Her compassion for others is astounding, even admirable!  It is her nature to bring a smile even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.  Since our tragic fire, Jeannie's diligence has not ceased and her versatility has only grown. Here's to Papa Joe's backbone...Jeannie!  Job well done!

Count on Jeannie and Joe for your next catered event at your location or ours!www.papajoes.org or give them a ring at (352)799-3904.  Your continued support is much appreciated!

To Go? What Do You Think?

Papa Joe and Donna need your feedback on the idea of taking orders for family style take out.  As many of you may have heard, Joe is renting a kitchen at the Quality Inn at Highway 50 and I-75 that he has been using for catering preparation.  The idea is to also begin accepting family sized, preordered meals for takeout from this location.  It would mean so much to hear from you, our valued and missed customers!  What do you think?  Please post your comments!!

Lifted by Compassion

Grace World Outreach Church held a fundraiser to benefit the Papa Joe's Employee Relief Fund this afternoon.  The event included fall off the bone, finger licking good, BBQ ribs and smoked chicken dinners as well as tons of donated raffle items.  There was so much love from the volunteers who worked so hard to make this a success.  As a displaced employee of Papa Joe's, it has been an enormous blessing to watch the community embrace us in our time of tragedy.  The prophetic words, "the best is yet to come" were spoken over us throughout the day and set a theme of hopeful faith in my heart.  A huge thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all the supporters of the cause.  The heart and servant spirit of this great community has been revealed in beautiful character.  I am totally inspired, thankful, and blessed!

Papa Joe's Hardhat Beauties

A few days after the devistating fire, I drove out to the burnt up restaurant just to reflect and process the reality of what had taken place.  As a long time employee, Papa Joe's had become so much more than just a source of income to me.  This was my home, a place where deep bonds were built, where successes were celebrated and broken spirits were lifted.  I stood looking at the ramshackled, scorched restaurant feeling defeated.  As I walked to the back of the building, three of my coworkers came stumbling out of the wrecked building wearing hard hats and boots.  The girls in the picture had entered the rubble in hopes of recovering Papa Joe's original pizza paddle which was never found.  However, they did have some random items like a few loose pieces of silverware and a pan that was totally black from fire and smoke.  The sight of this trio in cowboy boots, covered with soot and proudly announcing the recovered (yet almost worthless) items they rescued replaced my broken spirit with laughter. I love these girls!

Name Your Favorite Dish

Those of you who know Papa Joe's know that the menu offerings were plentiful!  With five pages full of dinner options, it's amazing how many of our regular customers consistently ordered the same entree, every time...for years!  Papa Joe's signature dishes included Chicken Soprano and Seafood Jambalaya, both tantalizing!  And of course his famous meatballs and authentic Italian cheesecake were hands down THE BEST around.  Tell us your pick for the most mouthwatering dish at the restaurant.  We want to know from you what absolutely, positively, must be on the menu when we reopen.  

Papa Joe's Catering

Papa Joe's is still open for catering and party pans!  From small house parties to formal weddings, Papa Joe's is your ace in the hole for your catering needs.  Our venues include a beautiful garden courtyard and an enormous banquet room complete with an atrium and bar.  Contact Papa Joe to schedule your personal tasting!  (352)799-3904