FEATURED STORY FROM THE Best of BG – 2017 ISSUE
Mister Spots:
A Love of East Coast Sandwiches and a Cat Named Spot brought Authentic Philly Food to BG 32 Years Ago
Alove for East Coast sandwiches and a pet cat named Spot launched a successful restaurant business locally and in Ann Arbor more than three decades ago, and the pair hasn’t looked back since.
“We would make trips back east to Philadelphia and wonder aloud why cant we get a good sandwich anywhere in Ohio, pizza, too, for that matter,” Bruce Vermett said. As one of the first places to offer Buffalo wings in the Midwest, the menu offers a variety of sandwiches, chicken tenders and sacks of fries. All of these menu items are re-created items and recipes from the shops in Philadelphia that they grew up with. “With pretty much no capital we began building our unnamed restaurant. From the plumbing and electric to painting and constructing, we did it all with minimum help from
professionals,” Gavarone recalls.
After building, they had less than 30 days until their opening and still had an unnamed restaurant. After throwing around several names, they decided to name it after Jim’s pet cat, Spot. With the name came the all familiar logo of a cat with red glasses, courtesy of the creativity of Jim. “Throughout classes I had made
some rough sketches of what is now our logo,” Gavarone said.
Mister Spots receives all its rolls from Philadelphia each week. Their meats and cheeses are shipped from the finest and most authentic Italian delis. “You couldn’t even get most of this stuff until we brought it in. No one had heard of Mortadella (Italian sausage) or Cappocola (pork cold cut meat),” Gavarone said.
“Throughout the years Spots became more than a college eatery by winning several awards and being recognized in national regional and local media,” Gavarone said.
Many famous people such as Tom Brady and Fall Out Boys have helped to boost the notable eatery of Mister Spots. After 25 years, Mister Spots made a new home in BG on North Main.
“This helped to make the restaurant more up to date. One thing that will not change is Mister Spots commitment to order food with the finest and freshest ingredients available,” Gavarone said.
AN ADDITIONAL FEATURED STORY ABOUT MISTER SPOTS CAN BE FOUND IN THE Best of BG – 2016 ISSUE