Buffalo Rising Online

Jun 10th 2005, 9:40pm By queenseyes

Blondine Harvin, owner of Gigi's Restaurant, has discovered the perfect recipe for success. She began with hard work and dedication. To this she added delicious Southern-style meals, a sprinkle of warm and friendly atmosphere, and finally a dash of many loving family members to help run her restaurant. She set the timer for 45 years and her final creation is a dining room packed with loyal customers who return time and time again for her delicious soul food specialties. Her list of customers runs the gamut from famous politicians like Hillary Clinton and Reverend Al Sharpton, to local celebrity athletes and "Average Joes"just looking for some authentic Southern comfort food.

It was a full house as my mother and I eagerly waited for our lunch. I watched Blondine mix up a giant pot of macaroni and cheese while her son, Darryl, and his uncle gave us a history lesson on Gigi's. To begin with, "Gigi"is Blondine's nickname. She opened the doors in 1960 just a few blocks down on Jefferson and moved to their current location 16 years later for a larger space. The front counter seats 12 and the dining room seats up to 60. Throughout the years, Blondine and her family have proudly worked together to contribute to the success of her restaurant. Darryl boasted that his mom was the hardest working woman he knew.

Her hard work had definitely paid off. The menu is extensive and offers weekday specials as well. Breakfast options (under $7.50) include several egg dishes, grits, French toast, corned beef hash, and more. Lunch and dinner offerings (under $8.50) include sandwiches, soups and salads, hot plates, and seafood. My mom ordered the barbecued ribs and I ordered the fried chicken. The ribs were slathered with a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce and the meat was so tender that it fell right off the bone. I barely had to sink my teeth into it. The fried chicken breast was equally delicious. The outside skin was crispy, crunchy, and lightly seasoned while the inside meat remained perfectly cooked. It came with a side of the creamiest macaroni and cheese (three cheeses to be exact), mashed potatoes, and cakelike corn bread. We also sampled the black-eyed peas, beans and rice, and a side of buttery yet spicy cabbage. Homemade sweet potato pie and a tall glass of iced tea mixed with lemonade, another house specialty, completed our soul food dining experience.

There is no better feeling than eating at a family-run restaurant because I know how hard everyone works to make their customers happy. And at Gigi's they make it seem effortless.

Gigi's Restaurant 275 East Ferry 716.883.1438 | Open daily 6:30am - 12:00am