Many people in the Akron area are familiar with the Yanko name. My great grandfather Nick, along with his wife Mabel, started a small lunch counter restaurant called the Buchtel Eat in the 1930's. Located across the street from the growing University of Akron, they developed a loyal following of students. Many of them would later recall that Nick would extend them credit when they were short on cash, which is often the case for students. Nick decided to move West in 1940 and bought The Bubble Bar in Highland Square. Nick and Mabel were later joined in the business by their daughter Mary and son Victor after he returned from the Pacific Theater in WWII. The business flourished and expanded throughout the 1950's and 60's until it was the largest entertainment spot in Akron with a lounge, two dining rooms, a supper club featuring live music and belly dancers and a banquet room. Tragically the restaurant was destroyed by fire in December 1969. Not being a family to remain idle, Nick moved West again. This time, with his grandchildren to help, he bought Mammy's Kitchen in the Fairlawn Plaza and named it Yanko's. While Nick Yanko's in Highland Square had featured fine dining with chateaubriand and flaming sword kebobs, Yanko's in Fairlawn was a casual dining spot with many of the soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees created by Nick and Vic over the years. Former patrons I meet will often mention how much they miss the Beachcomber sandwich, rice pilaf or Macedonian bean soup.
With this blog I hope to explore some of the great dining opportunities we have locally and give the readers a chance to comment on some of their favorite places.
Because I AM HUNGRY!
Nick
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I worked with your dad and brothers at the Fairlawn Restaurant and in the valley, and helped clean up after the fire in Highland Square. I still enjoy the friendship of many of those who worked, (and played), beside me. Some of them are my closest friends... Thanks for bringing back such great memories!! All the best to your dad, his delinquent brothers, and sister Carolyn. And a special hello to your grandmother Marilyn. By the way, I have perfected the pilaf recipe over the last ten years, and would gladly share it with anyone who wants it.
ReplyDeleteAll the best!!! jonkolton@gmail.com
Jon. would love to see your perfected pilaf recipe. You wouldn't have the pepper relish recipe as well?
DeleteNick, you are my hero.
ReplyDeleteLauren :)
Ever been to Swensons? It's the best burger place,ever.
ReplyDeleteI'd kill for the Beachcomber recipe. Seriously. I'm an ex-chef who lived in Akron back in the 80's and 90's and now live in Las Vegas. The Yanko's Beachcomber and the Skyway double cheeseburger are the 2 sandwiches I still crave and just can't duplicate. Can't even come close. That pepper relish that was served with the garlicky patty was a killer. I'll keep checking back here to see of you ever part with the recipe.
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ReplyDeleteMark- I really enjoyed reading this history, I knew your Great Grand Dad, remember the Highland Square location, & have so many great memories of the Fairlawn Plaza Yanko's.
ReplyDeleteI worked there when I was in High School, with your Dad & Jonathan, who posted a comment here as well. It was one of the best jobs I ever had, & the working atmosphere there was real family. Everyone genuinely liked each other. It was hard work to be sure, but a fun place to work hard.
I have memories of your Great Grand Dad, who had to be in his 80's at that time. There he was, dragging the trash cans out back, dead of the Akron winter, 20 degrees, & there is old Nick in his shirtsleeves, hard at work, impervious to the elements. I was most impressed.
The fried chicken & pilaf was awesome too. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.
Tell me about your Truck, My mom is Jean Kariotis, She worked for Nick for years. Both she and my dad Paul were good friends with your family till they both passed
ReplyDeleteI used to work @'The Courtyard' in Fairlawn Plaza. Yankos made the BEST Bean Soup ever,I ordered it just about every day for lunch. Luckily years after it closed the Abj posted the recipe in the paper..yeah! Only recipe I use for Bean Soup. Loved that place was sad when it c losed..so grateful to have the soup recipe
ReplyDeleteI knew Nick, Vic and Mabel and bussed at the Highland Square location
ReplyDeleteMy mom worked at the Highland Square location as a hostess before the fire.Best years of her life.
ReplyDeleteRecently went to Hardesty Park where the Beachcomber food truck was located.Imagine my disappointment when I asked for the sandwich and they looked at me like I had a third eye growing out of my forehead .They apparently kept the name but not the menu.Oh well.
Hi Nick- Do you have any idea how we could try to recreate the beachcomber? I loved the beachcomber and pilaf. That relish was just the right touch too. I have many memories of family dinners at Yankos as a kid ��
ReplyDeleteWe live in your family’s house on Dorchester... We will be on the Sugar Plum tour for Charity December 8th 2019.. wed love for you to come... and would love any pictures or stories you might have about the house and any of its owners .. We know a lot about the family who built it and some about the second owners and of course your family but would love to know more.. sincerely Joshua Blythe : joshua@objectform-life.com
ReplyDeleteMark, not sure if this is still active, but my mom [Eileen] worked for Nick for decades and i worked there in the late 60's. Still craving a beachcomber with pilaf and pepper relish.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned a long time ago that you would share the pepper relish recipe. Did you? If so, where could I find it? Worked for Nick an Victor at Highland Square, as did my mother
DeleteMy mother makes the cheesecake that Ann Korchek made at the Bubble Bar. I make it too! Everyone loves it.
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