CORTEZ – Following the Feb. 1 closing of Slicker’s Eatery, the leased restaurant space at 12012 Cortez Road has been transformed under new ownership into a diner with a new name: Izzy’s Place.
Long-time restaurateur and owner Tom Theophilopoulos had been looking to open a restaurant in the area. When the Slicker’s Eatery space recently became available, he jumped at the chance to fill the need for what he said was a good diner in the area.
“I’ve been looking for a place here for years, especially in the last year,” he said. “Charles Leduc had been helping me and one day he called me up and said, ‘I got you a place.’”
Theophilpoulos said his intent is to serve good American fare at good prices in a nice atmosphere. The diner is currently open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serves breakfast and lunch. Beginning on or around March 12, dinner will also be served until 8 p.m.
The Izzy’s Place breakfast menu includea omelets, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, breakfast bowls and French toast. The lunch menu includes sandwiches and wraps, salads, burgers, chicken and a kid’s menu.
Dinner specials will include all-you-can-eat pasta on Thursdays; all-you-can eat fish and chips on Fridays and either barbecue or Greek dishes such as souvlaki (shish kebabs) on Saturdays.
“On Sundays, I want to do a really nice buffet brunch, starting in about two weeks,” Theophilopoulos said. “Along the back room, there will be an egg station with omelets. Then there will be three tables, U-shaped, with bacon, potatoes, a cold cut platter, shrimp and a carving station alternating roast beef, ham or roast turkey, along with mimosas and bloody marys.
Scott Bouchard will be doing much of the cooking.
“He’s a local guy; quite well known, I understand. He worked at a bunch of restaurants around here. When I talked to Bob (Slicker), I said I’d love to take in your staff and Scott was the only one who stayed.”
“He’s a really good cook. He’s got a good heart,” Theophilpoulos said. “I’ve been in business forever and have seen all sorts of cooks. Some really take it to heart and have pride in what they do; others don’t. Scott takes it to heart and he takes pride in his work.”
Theophilopoulos’ experience working in restaurants goes back to working in his father’s Montreal deli beginning at age 13. He’s managed restaurants professionally for decades.
“I’ve been in business a really long time, 40-plus years,” he said on March 4. “I’ve been director of operations at four restaurant chains. I ran the Hard Rock Cafes in Canada and the northeast United States. I’ve opened three concept restaurants, and this is my fourth”.
Izzy’s Place maintains a similar layout to the former Slicker’s Eatery but has been given what Theophilopoulos said is a “beachy vibe,” with lighter colors and nautical artwork. Theophilopoulos is keeping the black chairs from Slicker’s Eatery. Those chairs contain personal messages for which supporters and friends paid $500 each to help support Slicker’s Eatery’s hurricane recovery.
“Bob Slicker was here for five years, so a lot of people don’t know we’ve changed,” Theophilpoulos said. “I’d like to get the word out and have people come by and try us.”
Izzy’s Place was named for Theophilopoulos’ five-year-old Havapoo dog and Izzy’s image is featured on the diner’s signs.
Theophilopoulos is currently hiring.
“I still need kitchen people, especially, and a couple of servers,” he said. “Everybody here right now is really good, but I need more people.”
Visit Izzy’s Place on Facebook.
