It didn't take long for a young entrepreneur to fill the space that had been Casino's for decades.
The venerable Le Roy restaurant closed just months ago and Le Roy-native Sam Hillburger said when the space became available, he thought, "perfect."
He grew up with Casino's and liked the location.
His new eatery, Sammy HIlls, opened a week ago and serves hamburgers, hot dogs and plates.
The location is perfect for his ambitions he said, because he just wants a small restaurant where he puts out good food.
"I'm not in it to be big and expand," Hillburger said. "It's a small kitchen where you can put out some good food and call it a day."
Patties are fresh, hand-pressed every morning and the meat sauce and chicken are fresh dipped every morning.
After graduating from Le Roy High Sschool, Hillburger went to a culinary school in New Hampshire. He worked for three years at Alex's Place and for a time at the Avon Inn. Now he's ready to see what he can do on his own.
"I was ready to work for myself," Hillburger said. "I've always done it somebody else's way and I'm ready to do it the way I want to do it."
I worked with Sam at Alex's
I worked with Sam at Alex's those three years, and the best part about him was that he had a BIG SMILE on his face ALL the time. Congratulations, Sam - - hope you THRIVE there, and KEEP that BIG SMILE on your face !!!!!!
Sam, Wishing you all the good
Sam, Wishing you all the good luck you earn as an "on your own" culinary adventurer. You are in a good place! You have a ready audience, now hook us with great, simple, comfort food and you'll conquer Mill and Bacon Streets as the O'Geens did for over 60 years. Success is yours right now.....go for it and we'll help if we can......as customers and critics (you need both, you know!)
Chef Don Antinore