WAUWATOSA — A well known fine dining experience in Wauwatosa, Eddie Martini's, sits empty.
"That is not the goal for someone in the restaurant business. It has affected us like so many other people in the entire world. To where we have not had to let anyone go but we are counting down the minutes until we can reopen," says Chris Murphy, owner of Eddie Martini's.
Rolling with the punches, Chris has done whatever he can to keep his staff safe and customers coming back for more.
"It's a skeleton crew but we are trying to rotate through that and keep in touch with as many people that we can," says Chris. "The number one seller for us is the beef stroganoff. It's comforting, it has dessert, salad and it's leftovers and that is striking a chord."
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Something that struck a chord with the Eddie Martini's family, customers wanting to purchase food for front line workers during the pandemic.
"We have several generous customers who were already wanting to donate and we've been facilitating right across the street," says Chris.
Being neighbors with the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital, Chris came up with "Eddie Cares."
"We wanted to focus on the Medical College, Children's Hospital and Froedtert as our closest neighbors and bring food in the way that they prescribe to their people when they can eat because oftentimes don't know," says Chris.
Each day patrons call, donate, and Eddie takes care of the rest. As a bonus, Chris and his staff receive quality conversations with customers they hope to see face to face real soon.
"They are on the phone talking to us and we always hear their story. The health care community has an impact on so many people's lives and these people share that with us and we get the warm feelings that come with that and that has been a boost," says Chris.
For daily curbside menus and ways to donate to Eddie Cares, check out Eddie Martini's on Facebook.