The Chateau, Tony’s and The ‘50s Grill will close their doors this March after nearly 50 years of service. The restaurants were bought by Eddie Hakim, who plans to demolish them to add on to The Atrium Hotel.
“It’s kind of really upsetting,” said Rino Nicholas, a sophomore pharmacy major from Thibodeaux. Nicholas is just one of many students who enjoys the 3 a.m. dinners available at The ‘50s Grill.
“I’m really devastated,” said Ahmaad Solmone, a senior mass communication major from Hammond. “Where am I going to go?”
The restaurants are operated by the Cascio family of Monroe. Victor Cascio, owner of The Chateau, said he’s going to miss the long-term friends he’s made over the years. “My restaurant feels like a living room,” said Cascio. He said it never felt like a restaurant because he thinks of customers as family. Cascio has entertained all types of guests from Liberace to two Miss Americas at The Chateau
“[My fondest memory] was when Liberace was here. My mother tried on all of his jewels and his mink coat,” Cascio said with a laugh.
The Chateau has been in Monroe since 1964, but the Cascio family have been serving Monroe since 1943 when Cascio’s mother started a little restaurant on Desiard, where he grew up playing in a cardboard box with colored quilts and his books. Cascio’s fans do have something to look forward to. Cascio’s son and daughter-in-law will be opening a restaurant in West Monroe in the Antique
Alley area. Cascio, however, is retiring from the restaurant business and won’t be involved with his son’s new venture.
Cascio also had a television show, “Holiday’s with Victor,” that offered decorating advice. He is also a columnist for “The News Star.”