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Port Ewen Diner is Cooking with Grace after Owner’s Leap of Faith T
hree years ago, Lisa Zwerdling interpreted a wish from a friend as a divine message to put homemade food on the table for many, which would later become a loyal staff, family, the elderly, and those in need. “A friend said, I think you need to buy the Port Ewen Diner so I can work for someone nice like you, the rest is history,” Lisa Zwerdling said. “I thought - God wants me to buy the Port Ewen Diner. God lines things up for every one of us, you have to learn to listen and take a leap of faith.” Lisa and her husband Gary, a retired Ulster County Sheriff, now own and operate the Port Ewen Diner, 295 Broadway in Port Ewen. The diner serves up an “everything homemade” menu including Friday prime rib, real oven-roasted turkey, Mexican specialties, daily specials from breakfast to dinner, bagels delivered fresh daily, and whole-bean fresh ground coffee. Enjoy deserts, including a fall apple crisp and summer peach cobbler. “It’s a blessing for us to be in the restaurant business. I feel like we’re cooking with grace,” the Christian diner-owner said. Every year on or around the October
8th anniversary of the diner’s opening by the Zwerdlings, they celebrate with a live remote broadcast by Joe Hunter’s The Cup ‘a Joe Morning Show on Kingston-based WFGB Sound of Life Radio 89.7 FM. Every year, the diner’s anniversary celebration features giveaways, gift baskets, and drawings. A portion of the proceeds from the celebration will benefit the Living Word Chapel in West Hurley. The proceeds will benefit Everette Hodge Center, Franklin Street, Kingston. Starting in early October, and running through the school year, the center offers after-school programs including homework help, computer access, meals, sports, and games. The port Ewen Diner provides meals at the center during its opening weekend celebration. The diner also offers sides, pastas, platters, salads, sandwiches, and appetizers. A senior’s, children’s, and on-the-go menu adds to the diner’s customer service and convenience. Lisa brings 30 years of restaurant and catering experience, as well as home health-care service to her diner. A working knowledge of the restaurant business and hands for caring has created many
regular customers, some who dine twice a day. The diner has a loyal staff with an extremely low turn-around rate that has been with the Zwerdlings since they opened the doors. The diner is also a favorite of many seniors in the area due to the easy no-step access that is accessible with walkers, wheelchairs, and canes. Fall and the holiday season is a bustling time for the Zwerdling’s diner, as it is down the road from many popular seasonal events in the area, including the Headless Horseman Hayrides and Frosty Fest. The Port Ewen Diner is open seven days 6 am to 9 pm. For more information, call 845-339-8972. Visit portewendiner.com, or look for the
diner on Facebook and YouTube.
Ulster County PennySaver - January 19, 2017 3