Code,999011
Subject,Bruce Ferris
Date,4/18/2006
Interviewer,Mark Souther
Abstract,"In this 2006 interview, Bruce Ferris, owner of Ferris Steak House at 8700 Detroit Avenue, talks about the history of the oldest steak house in Cleveland.  The restaurant was started by his grandparents, immigrants from Lebanon, in the 1940s.  He is the third generation Ferris to run the restaurant, and his family has now served 5 generations of customers in the Detroit-Shoreway area.  Ferris also talks about his life, growing up in Parma; working at the family restaurant and other restaurants, including Swingos in downtown Cleveland; going away to college in 1980 on the East Coast; and then working in hotel restaurant management on the West Coast before returning to Cleveland in the early 1990s to run the family restaurant.  Ferris also talks about celebrities that have dined at his restaurant on Detroit, at another Ferris restaurant that operated in downtown for a short period of time; and at Swingos."
Special Notes,
minutes:,34
0,"Born Cleveland, Ohio, 1957.  Grew up in ""the Parma area.""  Grandparents ran a steak house; lived in Detroit-Shoreway area.  Lived above store."
1,"Later grandparents moved to Schaaf Road on southwest side of Cleveland.  Grandparents were immigrants from Lebanon.  Original restaurant at 5817 Detroit.  After 6 years, moved to 87th and Detroit."
2,First a bar/restaurant; then expanded into space next door; family has operated restaurant there to present.
3,Became a steak house in the late 50s.  Went from cafe to a restaurant.
4,Restaurant for local Irish residents plus employees from Everready and other factories and businesses in area.
5,"""At its prime, we had 5000 employees within one mile of"" the restaurant."
6,Went to college in Rhode Island; got a 4-year degree and a 2-year culinary arts degree;
7,"After college, worked for hotel restaurants in management positions on the West Coast.  Returned to Cleveland to take over restaurant when his father was ill."
8,Back in 1960s worked at the restaurant with Grandma; he lived in Parma at time.
9,"Why Cleveland sports figures, politicians, and lawyers came to the Restaurant."
10,
11,Value of the Shoreway to the Restaurant.
12,
13,Worked at Swingo's at 18th and Euclid from 1977-1980 (before going off to college in Rhode Island)
14,Movie stars from Play House Square came to the restaurant and hotel.
15,
16,How Detroit-Shoreway and Cudell neighborhoods have changed over the years.  Low point a few years ago.
17,Menu hasn't changed much over the years; lighter choices now offered for lunch.
18,
19,His hobbies away from the restaurant.
20,Grandparents had a grocery store in Lebanon before coming to the US in the late 1920s.
21,Grandparents lived on Schaff; Grandmother later lived in Rocky River and Parma.
22,Story about Elliot Ness going up and down Detroit looking for bootleg liquor.
23,
24,Story about playing golf at Firestone with Roger Clemens and Andy Petit.
25,Hairy Buffalo Restaurant next to the Q.
26,
27,Old time comedian Danny Thomas used to visit the restaurant when he was in Cleveland.
28,
29,Have patrons that have been coming to the restaurant since the late 40's and early 50's.
30,
31,Biggest concern in his neighborhood is the Section 8 housing in the area.
32,Places he might move his business to.
33,Oldest steak house in Cleveland.
34,END OF CLIP
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