Niagara Gazette

Columns

October 3, 2009

GLYNN: Gadawski sets FBI agents straight

Unless you’ve been confined to a monastery for decades, you know about Gadawski’s on Falls Street, where the decor is definitely Irish.

That’s “Fighting Irish,” as in Notre Dame, The Four Horsemen, Knute Rockne and feisty leprechauns.

What you probably don’t know is that the Federal Bureau of Investigation once eyed the establishment for, of all things, what was on the menu.

Here’s how it all reportedly unfolded years ago.

The bank at Falls Street and Portage Road — in business at that time — was robbed. It wasn’t the first heist there, it wouldn’t be the last.

Although the year is a blur, it was Wednesday. No question.

Within hours, the FBI team from the Buffalo field office was on the scene, interviewing witnesses, checking for clues and talking at length with tellers.

Time for lunch.

“No prob-lem,” one of the feds said, “We can just walk across the street. It’s called Gadawski’s and a friend told me there’s good food at reasonable prices.”

As the FBI agents studied the menu, a polite waitress told them that macaroni and cheese was the Wednesday special. As the ever-observing agents cleaned up their plates, they noticed that many other customers were also having the “mac and cheese.”

By mid-afternoon they headed back to the Buffalo office where they raved in front of their co-workers about the restaurant across the from the bank.

Exactly a week from that day, the same bank was robbed again. This time a different FBI crew was dispatched, except for the one agent who had made at least two previous trips to the Falls bank.

So, when it came to lunch, he quickly pointed to Gadawski’s, recounting his first-hand experiences.

As she passed out the menus, the waitress issued the standard suggestion, “It’s macaroni and cheese today.”

That one agent — his third visit in a couple of months — was irked. “Don’t you have something besides macaroni?” he asked, not even looking at the varied menu.

When he started to belabor the point, Eddie Gadawski, the genial proprietor, approached the table and inquired, “There seems to be a problem here. Can I help you gents with something?”

“Yes, I certainly hope you can, sir,” the disgruntled agent replied. “I’ve been here a few other times and the waitress keeps telling us about the macaroni special. Is that all you ever serve here?”

Eddie shot back in his deadpan style: “I think I know the problem. You guys always show up on Wednesdays. Get those guys across the street to change their hold up schedule to Thursdays and you can have a hot meatball sandwich!”

•••

FOOTNOTE: Gadawski’s, 1445 Falls St., is featured in the current issue of Spree, as “One of the Favorite 27 Bars in Western New York.” In addition to noting the Polish-American tavern is a shrine to the Fighting Irish, the magazine cites the pierogies and sausage.

Eddie celebrated his 89th birthday last month. You can bet there will be more than “mac and cheese” for the 90th.

Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, ext. 2246.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Columns
  • Hamilton, Ken HAMILTON: Dandelions, parades, broken poles and people

    There are still those remnants of the fading bouquets of floral tributes that still hang at that base of a tree on city hall’s lawn. It is near where, last year, from his shiny silvery cart, Melvin Johnson sold hot dogs and sausages to both city employees and passerbys while his tiny white dog excitingly yelped at anyone that came near.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • No Headline Provided

    May 24, 2012

  • Don Glynn GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners

    A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Bradberry, Bill web.jpg BRADBERRY: There really are spirits in the water

    Over the centuries since it was “discovered” hundreds of millions of people have traveled from every corner of the world to visit Niagara Falls making it the most visited of the great waterfalls on the planet.

    May 22, 2012 1 Photo

  • Bob Confer mug CONFER: The reality of rationed health care

    The ongoing debate over Obamacare has brought to light the concept of rationed healthcare. Opponents of health care reform keenly point out that while the bill never explicitly calls out rationing, it features certain provisions that will lead the   markets to adjust to strict federal demands and, therefore, dispense certain procedures in smaller amounts or not at all.   Because of it being the first time that the subject has really come up in public circles, most people, especially on the right,   believe that rationing is something new. It’s not. The free markets have been practicing that for quite some time. I should know; with a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide scar running south of my belly button – and a couple of related scars around my groin – I could be the poster child for rationed health care.

    May 21, 2012 1 Photo

  • Mark Scheer mug CITY DESK: A regrettable error

    We owe Carol Sensabough an apology.

     
    Several weeks ago, the long-time reader and Niagara Falls resident sent a letter to the editor explaining that she took offense to some of the things written by a syndicated columnist, Stephen Dick. 

    May 21, 2012 1 Photo

  • Norma Higgs HIGGS: Niagara Falls' own West Side story

    Trusello’s Bakery was on Elmwood behind the family home at 840 19th St. The family, Richard, William (Billy) and Sam along with two sisters, lived in the house. 

     

    May 21, 2012 1 Photo

  • Don Glynn GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda

    Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz,   R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.

    May 20, 2012 1 Photo

  • Hamilton, Ken HAMILTON: Civic ‘ParticipAction’ can work too

    Back in the 1970s, our Neighbors to the North ran a national campaign called ParticipAction to encourage Canadians to get off their butts and do things for the sakes of their bodies.

    May 17, 2012 1 Photo

  • Don Glynn GLYNN: Graduates find they’re in staggering debt

    Countless senior citizens often gripe about something, sometimes even with good reason. Perhaps they should consider themselves fortunate, compared with the younger generation.

     

    May 16, 2012 1 Photo

Featured Ads
House Ads
AP Video
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Seasonal Content
Opinion
House Ads
Night & Day
Twitter News
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Front page
Helium debate
Helium