EVANSVILLE – Some things change, and some things stay the same.
Like over at the Zesto on Franklin. The restaurant got a new owner in July − Joe Hardesty, who also owns the Big Top Drive-In Restaurant on Maryland Street. If the Hardesty name sounds familiar linked with “Zesto,” that’s because Joe’s family has owned the Zesto on Riverside since 1972.
There have been a few innovations, although all the old menu items remain. The hamburgers are now made with the Zesto ground beef blend, which is also served at the Big Top. Breakfast is served until 10 a.m., and the current hearty breakfast items will soon be joined by smaller breakfasts.
As for what stays the same, at Zesto, it’s general manager Sherri Hofmann. She’s worked there for 40 years, and even met her husband Mike on the job in the early 1980s.
She started in the front as a cashier and ice cream server when she was 16 years old. Eventually she became a cook and then a manager.
“I enjoy the people,” she said, “That’s the best thing about it. There have been a few sets of owners, but I’ve gotten along with all of them. I worked for the Krugs for 25 years and considered leaving when they sold it, but then the new owner wanted my help to get it going, and then Mike and Kay McAtee bought it, and I was going to leave but I ended up having a good relationship with them … I just never left.”
Most important aspects of Hofmann’s life have revolved around the little restaurant. She and Mike worked together for seven years before they got married and continued for a further eight years before Mike went to work for Toyota.
“Sometimes when our son was young, he’d come in on Saturday if my dad had to work, and sit here with us until his grandpa or grandma got off work,” Hofmann said. “I’ve been lucky enough to work with some good people. The young girls, I call them my work daughters.”
Has Hofmann seen a lot of changes over her years at Zesto? Not really.
“Things haven’t changed a whole lot here,” she said. “We try to keep it the same because the customers like it to stay the same.”
On the menu at Zesto
For such a small restaurant, the menu at the Franklin Zesto is sizeable. So, when you stop by to say, “Hi and welcome” to Hardesty and, “Congratulations on 40 years” to Hofmann, there’s plenty to choose from for a snack.
Burgers have always been a Zesto favorite. You can choose a single, double or triple, and each is available in small, medium or large size.
There are plenty of other sandwiches, too, including grilled and breaded tenderloins, ham and cheese, fish, a BLT and signature sandwiches such as Polish sausage with peppers, a Philly cheesesteak and a chicken club that aren’t available at the other Hardesty restaurants. Additional entrees include a shrimp basket and cold weather special chicken and dumplings.