History behind Rudy's Redeye Grill

From the 1950's to the 1970's, Axel's River Grille in Mendota was known as the Parker House, Linda Young's parents Jeanette and Axel Lofgren, worked for the Parker House. Jeanette was the kitchen manager and Axel was the maintenance man (Axel has since passed away ). Linda began working at the Parker House at the age of 11, along with many of her friends and family. After high school, Linda ventured further into the restaurant business, working for Gannon's, Champps, and Byerly's.

Charlie Burrows, like Linda, grew up in the restaurant business. His career began as a "soda jerk" at A&W, followed by The Left Guard (which later became ChiChi's), The Ediner, Two Peso's, Ciatti's, Champps, Ol' Mexico, Byerly's, and the Parker House.

Unfortunately, during the reconstruction of the Mendota bridge, business began to fall and the Parker House was forced to close it's doors.

Linda and Charlie first met while working at Champps, but then crossed paths again working for Byerly's. It was at this time that they began discussing the "for lease" sign outside of the Parker House. They both had dreamt of a place of their own and decided to fulfill their goals together. On July 1st, 1996, after about four months of dedicated hard work by Linda, Charlie, their family and friends, they opened the doors of Axel's River Grille. The restaurant was named after Linda's father Axel who had a lot of history in the town of Mendota as well as the Parker House.

Charlie and Linda's idea was to keep the "feel" of the Parker House while giving it a bit of a face lift. Mendota used to be a lively town in it's day and they wanted to wake it up again. They wanted to offer their guests a warm atmosphere with large portions of quality food, along with the best "detailed" service possible. They also wanted anybody to feel comfortable walking into Axel's by calling it "casual fine dining."

Over the years, Linda & Charlie continued to open more Axel's and another more casual concept called Axel's Bonfire.

The idea behind Rudy's Redeye Grill was to create a place reminesent of the 40's & 50's era. The name came from LInda's uncle Rudy (Axel's brother). Rudy's specializes in homemade comfort food such as chicken pot pie, beef stroganof, and blue cheese meatloaf, as well as steaks, seafood, and pasta. At Rudy's you will find big leather booths, rich dark woods, and red walls covered in beautiful artwork.

Linda and Charlie's restaurants have succeeded because of the attention to detail they put into them as well as the care and respect they have always given to their staff and guests.

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