Maggie Gibbs, Staff Reporter, The Parthenon
Since 1938, Jim’s Steak and Spaghetti House, a Huntington landmark, has been a community staple. What began as The Kennedy Dairy Store serving 10-cent milkshakes and 15-cent cheeseburgers has evolved into a cherished mainstay known for its family atmosphere, nostalgic ambiance and, of course, its famous spaghetti.
In 1944, spaghetti became a staple of the restaurant thanks to the expertise of an Italian immigrant named Roberto Elmoro. Over the years, the restaurant, located at 920 Fifth Ave., expanded and underwent several name changes, eventually becoming Jim’s Steak and Spaghetti House in 1962.
Jim’s daughter, Jimmie Tweel Carder, took the helm, carrying on her father’s commitment to “good service, good food, courtesy, cleanliness and ambiance.” Photos of celebrity patrons like Muhammad Ali, John F. Kennedy and Billy Joel adorn the walls as testaments to the restaurant’s enduring appeal.