For the past 40 years, the Armenian Gourmet classic Lebanese-Armenian restaurant has been more than a place to grab a bite; it has been a home away from home for South Bay residents and employees.
The 48-seat restaurant has seen its share of birthday celebrations, first dates, engagement proposals, holiday parties and even funeral receptions. Over generations, customers have become a part of the restaurant’s family, celebrating life’s special occasions. But come this fall, the locally owned business will bid farewell and close its doors for good.
It was in July 1974 when Aram and Florence Janjigian of Saratoga held the grand opening of the Armenian Gourmet.
Back then it was a part of the Fair Oaks Plaza strip mall, and before long–thanks to Aram’s cooking and customers’ word of mouth–every night saw a line out the door.
Ten years later they built their current building, which sits detached from the rest of the strip mall at 929 E. Duane Ave. The restaurant hasn’t changed much over the years, and neither has the menu.
Aram refers to the dishes as “California Armenian.”
“The problem with Armenians is we come from various areas in the world, and you use the local herbs and spices of whatever is available,” Aram said. “When someone asks, ‘Do you have authentic Armenian food?’ I don’t know what that means.”
But Aram said his family hails from Lebanon, which is why he features Lebanese dishes such as humus and tabbuli.
Keeping it small and informal is what the couple says kept the restaurant going for so many years.
“You know, little old ladies used to come with their kids, and now their kids have kids,” Aram said. “We know our customers by name, and we look forward to coming in to work every morning.”
Aram said he is going to turn 70, however, and they feel like they’ve been missing out on their social circles and time with family.
“It’s going to be a shocker once I stop,” Aram said. “I wont know what to do with myself.”
Char Petersen, a customer of 40 years, says she hopes Aram will put together a cookbook before he hangs up his apron.
The 47-year-old San Jose resident has been coming to the restaurant since her parents started bringing her. Her father, who owned a printing business at the time, helped the Janjigians print their first business cards and menus.
Petersen said when her parents passed away, the Janjigians opened up the restaurant for the family to come and eat after the funeral.
“We were in a vulnerable place, but it was like coming home,” Petersen said. “There’s a special something that he puts in his food that just brings you back, and they’re just wonderful people. I’m so broken-hearted because there is never going to be another Aram’s. You see a lot of the same faces when you’re there, too. It reminds me of Cheers, where everybody knows your name.”
Twenty-seven-year customer Andrea Schatz, 58, of San Francisco, said there is nothing like the restaurant and no one like Aram and Florence.
“As sorry as I am to see after 40 years all of this go, the reality is everything good in life must come to an end,” Schatz said. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to meet such a beautiful family who fell in love with me as much as I fell in love with them. They’ve decided time to move on, and I totally respect that and am happy for them.”
While the restaurant has seen a lot change over the years–from companies like Verbatim, Tandem, MIPS, Amdahl, and National Semiconductor coming and going to the huge AMD lawn turning into a residential neighborhood–the food and service have always stayed the same.
“His food is delicious,” Florence said. “I always tell people that he can make a bologna sandwich taste good.”
The Janjigians are predicting the store will close up shop sometime in the end of August or the middle of September.
For more information, visit thearmeniangourmet.com or call 408.732.3910.
