MONTICELLO — Jim Schubert has decided that it is time for him to pass the M&M Cafe spatula onto its next owner. Who that owner will be is still up in the air. Schubert acquired the longtime Monticello diner in 2009.
The history of the restaurant goes back more than 100 years. In the early 1900s, a shoe repair shop was transformed into a small cafe. Demetrius Giannekas, also known as “Jimmy the Greek”, moved from Greece and found his way to Monticello. He purchased a shoe repair shop from Dave Klassy. Jimmy transformed the little shoe shop into a popular destination to grab a bite to eat.
In 1937, the restaurant was relocated and renovated by John C. Steinman, Jr., who gave the building a state-of-the-art, modernistic style for its time. Steinman also included a living space for Jimmy, who named the place “Midway Lunch”. The restaurant became a popular location because of its beef burgers fried in a secret oil.
Soon after Jimmy’s death in 1947, Max and Mavis Schuett purchased the cafe. Mavis passed away in 1976 and their son, Ron, joined Max to run the cafe. They changed the name to “M&M Lunch”.
Ownership of the cafe changed in 1989 to Juli and Bill Gempler, who bought the cafe from Max Schuett. The Gemplers upgraded the cafe and expanded the menu to include daily lunch specials. The Gempler’s called the cafe “Monticello Midway Lunch”.
In 1993, Mike and Mary Davis, from Freeport, Ill. bought the cafe. The Davis’ updated the equipment and expanded the living space. The restaurant’s popularity continued, as did its homemade pies. The Davis’ called the eatery “M&M Cafe”.
In 2009, the Davis’ were ready to retire from the cafe, and Schubert, from Mount Horeb, bought the restaurant. He kept the name “M&M Cafe” and continues the legacy of the restaurant with homemade pies and delicious burgers.
Schubert has been in the restaurant industry since 1977. He started at the Country Kitchen in Monroe his junior year of high school. Not long after, Schubert’s parents bought a restaurant on main street in Mount Horeb and named it “Schuberts.” Jim Schubert worked at the family restaurant for years, but later moved on when he bought M&M Cafe. Schubert saw opportunity and a certain charm to the small cafe.
“Because the place was closing, and I didn’t wanna see it close, I reopened it,” Schubert said.
He recently came to the decision that it is time for himself to move on from the cafe. He looks forward to seeking new experiences, as well as a change of pace.
“It was a great experience,” Schubert said.
Schubert has enjoyed his time at M&M Cafe. Seeing people of the community, tourists, cooking every day, and raising his two youngest children there in a place with such a long history and a vibrant energy.
Although Schubert has decided that it is time for him to pass the restaurant on to the next owner, he’s not immediately leaving.
“I’m not going anywhere until I find the right person to take over the cafe,” he said.
