Pleasure Doing Business: Yummy's

Visitors to Gulfport's Art Village have become used to Yummy's, the three year-old luncheonette in the colorful 86 year-old bungalow in the center of the courtyard, known for its all-American treats and setting.

Lori Luczak purchased Yummy's last October from original owners Bonnie and Richard Reale after being a loyal customer since the restaurant opened. She had experience in the restaurant industry but wasn't planning on returning to the business until she walked into the Reale's establishment.

“I fell in love with it the minute I walked in and I've always wanted to do something like this,” Luczak says.

She became a regular customer and got along well with the owners as she settled in as a new Gulfport resident not long ago.

“As I kept coming in Rich and Bonnie and I became good friends. He was going to retire and was ready to sell and he sold it to me. After about a month of retirement he couldn't stand it any more,” she says with a laugh.

Mr. Reale came back to work at the store part-time and will operate its new trailer - “Bringing Yummy's to Your Tummys!” - this summer at fairs and other events throughout the area. The flashy new trailer is currently parked in front of the store in preparation for Memorial Day weekend events as it is loaded with supplies for its maiden voyage.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Luczak's route to Gulfport was a long one in more ways than one. A few years ago living in Orlando she suffered serious injuries to her neck, shoulder and arm in an accident and went through several surgeries followed by a long recuperation period.

“I came to Gulfport because I knew for two years I'd be tied up with the surgeries and the healing,” she remembers. “Instead of being in Orlando where I couldn't really get around with my neck brace on I came to Gulfport just to get some fresh air and be able to walk down to the beach.”

She also wasn't able to drive and enjoyed Gulfport's small and vibrant downtown atmosphere.

“I'd be walking back and forth to the beach and Yummy's was one of the places I'd stop at and that was basically it. I just fell in love with it. It was a good place to be at a time of healing. That's how I ended up here.”

Chicago-style hot dogs are the signature item at Yummy's and Vienna Beef dogs, Gonnella French rolls, sport peppers and other ingredients are shipped straight from Chicago. The Italian Beef Sandwich is another popular item on the menu and is built of sliced roast beef dipped in a natural gravy on toasted Gonnella, also served with hot peppers and onions.

Corn dogs, veggie dogs, turkey dogs and chili dogs are also staples on the menu as well as a beef and sausage combo, meatball sub, Polish sausage on a roll, pizza bread and soups. Sandwiches include the classic grilled pastrami on rye with Swiss and mustard, the Reuben, the Dagwood (turkey, ham and roast beef) and a host of others. Lighter items include the “veggie pita” or wrap, salads and a kids menu.

Homemade chili comes in cups, bowls and even quarts and is from a recipe originally created by Richard Reale's grandmother. He opened the first Yummy's in Alabama a few years ago but the Gulfport location is the only one that remains.

Hershey's Ice Cream is a customer favorite at Yummy's and tough to keep on the shelves. It comes in 21 flavors in a cup or cone as well as in sundaes and milk shakes.

Yummy's now opens for breakfast seven days a week and has also added beer and wine to the menu. The deceptively large interior of the store has undergone a complete color scheme change to brighter shades throughout, reflecting the Vienna Beef and Hershey's brands. It will undergo a few more minor renovations to cater to the beer and wine customers on one end of the store but will remain mostly the same as it now appears.

Music is usually playing inside and out and the atmosphere is decidedly casual with indoor and outdoor seating, customers in flip flops and pets tagging along for the trip.

Yummy's is open from 8 am to 7 pm Monday through Thursday, until 9 pm Friday and Saturday and until 5 pm on Sundays. It is a member of the Gulfport Merchant's Association and the Chamber of Commerce. Call 727-321-9869 to arrange an event at the store or visit Yummy's Facebook page.