BUFFALO “BILLS MAFIA” MAKES THE CALL TO ASSIST
BALTIMORE RESTAURANT
Owner is a huge Bills fan and has named a popular menu item for the fan club
It was a huge surprise on the Zoom screen for Joseph Gardella, or as he is more commonly known, Joe Benny, when he saw Bill’s Mafia founder Del Reid and others waiting to talk to him. Reid “made the call” on behalf of the Famous Fund to let Joe know that his restaurant, Joe Benny’s, would be receiving financial assistance from the Famous Fund.
Joe Benny’s is a small, but popular spot in Baltimore’s Little Italy neighborhood. Their “no frills” approach to dining is spelled out on the website in very direct terms, “We got a small space… there’s almost always a wait… we don’t do traditional Italian (no pasta, no veal, no thank you)… we barely pick up the phone… we’re walk-in only NO RESERVATIONS… we’re understaffed and we’re not fancy.”
The pandemic has affected them greatly over the past year. Business is down more than 50% and even with a minimal occupancy of 25%, Joe Benny’s isn’t able to seat people in its 600 square foot location.
Gardella is an avid Bills fan and members of the Bills Mafia had a hand in preparing a special menu item in honor of them. The aptly named, #BillsMafia, is grilled or breaded chicken marinated in hot wing sauce, creamy burrata and blue cheese on the side.
Reid and other members of the Bills Mafia let Gardella know that the Famous Fund was awarding him $10,000 to assist him with the continued pandemic restrictions. Gardella said the funds will be used to catch up on some outstanding bills and begin the process of a small renovation to reconfigure the inside of the establishment to make it more physically distancing friendly.
Joe Benny’s is located at 313 South High Street, Baltimore, MD. 21202.
www.thefamousfund.org