Rosa and Audrey at Woody’s, El Paso, Illonois http://www.usathroughoureyes.com
It was late when we pulled into the quaint little town of El Paso Illinois and after getting a hotel for the night we went wandering to see if we could find something to eat. Well to our surprise we came across this little place named Woody’s Family Restaurant, 609 W Main St, El Paso, IL 61738 and were we ever fortunate to do so. Rosa, the owner, was outside watering the plants and she greeted us with a warm smile as we entered. Soon after sitting our waitress came over and so did Rosa. While our order was being prepared we chit chatted for the longest time and what a story Rosa had. This woman is incredible. She came to America when she was 17 years old with her dad reluctantly giving permission. Rosa immediately found work and within a short time was able to afford to bring her Dad (a retired police officer in Greece) and her mom to live here. This is when she met a man that would later become her husband. The two of them dated for 9 years before getting married and happily married ever since. She and her husband own the restaurant or as she put it “the bank and her” for almost 22 years. She is so proud of what she and her husband have created and the many, many friends that have become family since. She made many wonderful and insightful statements but the one that resounded in the ears of Audrey and me was how proud she is to be an American citizen and noted “this is the land of opportunity”. She said she has and continues to work hard but has no regrets. What a woman. Rosa, is we lived here I could easily say we would be eating at Woody’s at least once a week. Folks if you are passing through please make this a must to stop and eat at.
