C U I S I N E
Value-Packed Dining
SINCE 1997, JESSI’S
has been serving its
patrons as though
By Margaret Word Burnside and Aaron R. Fodiman
they were family. They
serve breakfast, lunch and
dinner seven days a week
from 6:30 in the morning.
This is, in fact, a family operated business
with each member contributing his or her
time and talents. The father, DJ Sulisufay,
who was born and raised in Albania, honed
his restaurant skills in New York City,
while working at Restaurant Associates
with Chef Joe Baum in the 1960s and
early 1970s. He continued in the business
until he and his wife Rosa opened Jessi’s,
which is now managed by their son Jason,
who has added his own touches to the
restaurant.
For breakfast, they offer the standards,
which range from Country Fried Steak to
Build-Your-Own Omelettes. If you want
something different, try their Potato Pancakes
This Fried Catfish at Jessi’s was prepared Albanian style
with apple sauce or sour cream. Although
breakfast is served until 2 pm, the
lunch menu begins at 11 am. Their Triple
Decker Club Sandwiches are awesome,
and the Black Angus Burgers are classic.
There are also eight salads that range from
a Cobb to an Albanian Salad with gyro
meat or chicken. They also serve a variety
the restaurant. They offer
daily specials to create even
better values. Wine and
beer are also available. The
desserts are large enough
to be shared and include
favorites such as cheesecake,
chocolate cake, Key lime pie, and a
brownie sundae.
The freestanding building has more than
ample parking and is located in mid-Pinellas
on 66th Street below Bryan Dairy
Road. New murals inside and out are
being installed along with other interior
upgrades, as they prepare for their 20th
anniversary celebration. “Mama” Rosa’s
recipes are still being used, even though
she is no longer to be found cooking in
the kitchen. Now, she and her son Jason
welcome guests to Jessi’s, as they oversee
the dining room to ensure the total satisfaction
of their customers.
9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Jessi’s Restaurant is
located at 8331 66th Street North in Pinellas
Park, (727) 541-1200.
Jessi’s Restaurant
Photography by Gram
with onions, tomato and feta cheese.
of other sandwiches and wraps, as well as
luncheon platters, such as Calves’ Liver
and Onions and Mama’s Spinach Pie. Most
of these items are also available the rest
of the day.
For dinner, the menu is divided into
three sections. The first is Italiano with
Mama’s Six Cheese Lasagna; Shrimp;
Scampi; Chicken Marsala, Primavera,
Florentine or Parmesan; Veal Parmesan;
Spaghetti; and Fettucini Alfredo. Next
are steak and chops that range from a
New York Strip to Pork Chops; and the
third section contains their seafood offerings.
You can choose from Alaskan Pollack,
Crab Cake, Fried Shrimp or Coconut
Fried Shrimp, Wild Caught Norwegian
Salmon, Tilapia, Catfish or three different
Seafood Platters. Dinners are served
with their special homemade bread, plus a
cup of soup or a salad. The portions are
large, but economically priced.
The service at Jessi’s is casual in keeping
with the family vibe that runs throughout
170 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE MARCH /APRIL 2016