Bitzee Mama's Turns 40!
A Walk Through Time...
By Evelyn Nichol - Special to Glendale Daily Planet

 

The present Bitzee's was a small cafe known as Gatley's in 1972.  It was only the one side where the main part of Bitzee's is now.  It had a long counter with stools and on the side two or three small booths.  The kitchen, or food preparation area, was an enclosed area on the side where the counter was.  There was a pass-through window at the end of it and that is where we got our first glimpse of the new owner to be - Carmine Zannelli. 

 

Carmine and his wife and mother-in-law, whom Carmine called "Bitzee Mama", went to work enlarging and redecorating the new restaurant as soon as they bought it.  They bought the building next door, a shoe shop, and added another area with all booths and a conference room in the back of that.  The kitchen was also moved to the back of the first part of the restaurant.  When the restaurant reopened (I don't really remember if it was closed, or if so, how long) it was renamed Bitzee Mama's.  It became the meeting place every morning for some of the retired and active business men of the community, as well as some of the councilmen.  It was jokingly said that all bills before the City Council originated at Bitzee's.  I think to this day, it is an early morning gathering place for the leaders in this community. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights music was added to the enjoyment of customers.  There was a wonderful pianist and on one of the nights an accordionist that had some of the customers dancing in the aisles with his lively polkas.  Fun time.  Carmine also had a door placed on the east wall of the new addition to the restaurant for access to the patio area there.  It was to be outdoor dining.  The birds in the trees there, soon stopped that however.  He closed the door permanently.

 

When Carmine and Jo retired, Margot Gales and her son Roman bought Bitzee's.  They were restaurateurs from Utah and had owned a French style restaurant there.  They introduced Glendale to some mighty fine cuisine, which didn't last long because Glendale loves it's good old western cooking!  However, they added their touch to Bitzee's with the western murals painted on all the walls.  Then, they had a couple who played piano and guitar and sang, and dancing became a part of the scene.  Also, they started the Thursday night  karaoke.

 

Terri and Pat, two fun ladies bought the restaurant next and Irish laughter and good humor added another pleasure that is Bitzee's Hallmark.  They had another business also, and the strain of trying to run both was too much, so they sold to one of the waitresses - Lulu and her friend Kristine who are now the owners.

 

Lulu was not new to the restaurant business.  She used to come to Glendale to visit her mother' who worked for Carmine, Margot, and Pat and Terri, and would spend her vacation helping out, as she put it, at the restaurant.  She became the manager for Pat and Terri, so when they decided to sell, it was just great that Lulu and Kristine took over.  They added Sunday morning music, evening music, and continued with the karaoke for a while.  Now, on special occasions we have the pleasure of listening to a very fine mariachi singer.  And, the girls have added all the Mexican foods so special to Arizonians.  They make the best rolled chicken quesadillas anywhere!  Fun. laughter and friendship are synonymous with Bitzee's. 

 

We treasure the friendships of all the owners and wish the present ones success, continued and growing friendships with all they serve.  May the next 40 be as wonderful as the last has been.

 

 

 

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 1645.

Margot Bayer, Bonnie Burns and Evelyn Nichol (The article's author) are celebrating Bitzee Mama's 40th Anniversary.  
Bitzee Mama's Restaurant is located at 7023 N. 58th Avenue, Glendale, Arizona

 

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC06809.

 

 

 

 
Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC06823.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. DSC-1640.

Kristine Ortega Left, Olivia Calderon, and Lulu Rodriguez   - during the Bitzee Mama's 40th year celebration  Olivia Calderon. a Mariachi singer, provided entertainment for the lunch celebration.

Evening entertainment was provided by Peggy and Neil from 6 to 8 PM.