Recognizing 21 years of good food, warm atmosphere

TJs of Calverton honored by county with first annual award

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Barbara L. Salisbury⁄The Gazette Melissa Nagel (right) who has worked at TJ’s Restaurant in Calverton for 10 years, helps customers including Betty Powell (left) of Bowie Tuesday afternoon. TJs, which has been open for 21 years, was recently honored with an Award for Excellence in Food Service, which is part of the county executive’s Livable Community Initiative.

‘‘It’s like our home, and when people come, they’re like guests in our home,” said Tim Murray of Laurel. ‘‘We want to make everything right for everyone.”

Longtime customers and a cadre of Prince George’s County Health Department representatives were on hand to award TJs the award, which is part of County Executive Jack Johnson’s Livable Communities Initiative.

The voluntary program recognizes county restaurants with exceptional customer service areas, ensuring a sanitary and welcoming eating environment.

‘‘We do our best to maintain a clean, safe environment for [customers] to dine. Really, no matter how the food might be, the most important thing is that the establishment be clean and the food is handled properly,” said Karen Murray.

The business, which opened in 1985, would not have been successful without the importance of a loyal customer base, Karen Murray said.

‘‘They’re the folks who sustain us,” she said as she looked around at some of her most loyal customers. ‘‘We know when their birthdays or anniversaries are coming, and we have shared the highs and lows in their lives. And we’re always thrilled to share that with them.”

Alan Heck, chief of the county’s Food Protection Program, said TJs stood out among the 70 applicants for the award because of its impeccable dining area, clean bathrooms and sanitary handling of food.

‘‘They had everything we were looking for,” Heck said.

Establishing a reputation for good food and a family-friendly atmosphere has drawn customers from Beltsville and beyond.

The Murrays said East Coast travelers along Interstate 95 sometimes drop by to enjoy the restaurant’s ribs – a popular item on the menu over the last two decades.

Richard Gatto, who prides himself for being the fourth customer to walk in TJs doors on March 4, 1985, said the Murrays commitment to good food and efficient service has never wavered.

‘‘I’m gonna keep coming back until I have a bad meal,” Gatto said with a laugh. ‘‘I’ve never had a bad meal here.”

Gatto and his wife, Carolyn, both Beltsville residents, said coming to TJs is more than just a dining experience.

‘‘It’s like family here,” Richard Gatto said. ‘‘I love it here. I’m going to be here forever.”

James Dula, deputy chief administrative officer for the county’s Health and Human Services, said TJs Restaurant exemplified the ideal county eating establishment.

‘‘This is the true flavor of Prince George’s County,” Dula said. ‘‘We cherish our small business restaurants because they have grown along with the county.”

E-mail Dennis Carter at dcarter@gazette.net.