Veterans Day Debut By Becky Billingsley

Tuesday, November 10, 2009, Myrtle Beach--Veterans Cafe & Grille is having its grand opening on Veterans Day, and its location is on the former U.S. Air Force base in Myrtle Beach, about a block from the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. Veterans Cafe in Myrtle Beach is having a grand opening on Veterans Day. Lou and Rhonda Mascherino are the eatery's new proprietors; the restaurant at 1144 Shine Ave. was formerly Nuni's and Doodles. Lou has 35 years' restaurant experience including owning his own deli, being a kitchen manager at Damon's in Myrtle Beach, and for the past five years he was a kitchen manager and restaurant manager at Shoney's. Lou is also a veteran of the U.S. Army. Now the couple is opening Veterans Cafe & Grille, and a grand opening will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Free samples of their sandwiches will be available.

Lou and Rhonda Mascherino have been working hard to get their new Veterans Cafe & Grille ready for its grand opening on Wednesday. Lou says those sandwiches are wonderful, such as their Philly Cheesesteaks made with white American cheese. They have six cheesesteak variations ranging in price from $5.79 to $6.89, such as the Pepperoni Cheesesteak with provolone, grilled onions and spaghetti sauce. All the cheesesteaks come on 7-inch rolls and are served with chips, potato salad or cole slaw. Other lunch items include hot dogs, burgers, hoagies and cold sandwiches like a BLT for $4.79. Mondays through Fridays they'll have $4.99 Red Ball Express lunches with entrees such as roast beef, turkey, meatloaf, steak burger or spaghetti. They also have Tuna Salad, Chicken Salad, Grilled Chicken Salad and Garden Salad, for $4.99 to $6.79. From 6 a.m. to noon you can have breakfast. Nothing on the breakfast menu costs more than $6.29, and that is the meal called The Mess with a scramble of two eggs, a choice of bacon, ham or sausage, potatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms and cheese. They also have traditional egg plates, omelets, pancakes, French toast and breakfast sandwiches. You can also get a bagel or Danish, or a bowl of cereal.

Lou and Rhonda are asking for 5x7 photos of military families to hang on their walls with names, ranks and branches of service provided. They'll also accept military memorabilia to display. After the grand opening on Wednesday, Veterans Cafe & Grille will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The number is (843) 232-VETS (8387).