Since 1911, the Gaido family has owned and operated Galveston's most famous seafood restaurant. For at least the past half-century it has been on the corner of 39th Street and Seawall Boulevard.
Millions of meals are served there every year. Generations of tourists come to the island every year for a dual-purpose -- to enjoy the beach and to eat at Gaido's.
When Hurricane Ike struck Galveston in mid-September, the devastation was like nothing that has been experienced there since the famous 1900 Storm. Fortunately early evacuation combined with the island's seawall saved most from injury and loss of life.
As soon as the storm passed, and the sky cleared and the gulf waters went from angry to sullen, with the help of generators, propane and other cooking accouterments normally associated with camping out, Gaido's opened its doors. The first restaurant back in business.
And Gaido's chefs immediately boiled up 1,000 pounds of fresh gulf shrimp, corn on the cob and the like, and the managers and other employees set up a free buffet on their parking lot.
The hungry -- whether residents, homeless, or rescue workers --were invited to dinner.
And the Gaidos did it without fanfare or any expectation of gratituous publicity. They are, after all, a Roman Catholic family that has always naturally followed their Catholic teachings.
Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
The Galveston County Daily News
BILL CHERRY, REALTORS
DALLAS
213 403-8563
1 800 314-7110
Our 43rd Year Selling Texas
Wow, Bill...that is soooooo cool! It is rare that we see this kind of community! I love the come-togetherness of it all...a true testiment to the human spirit!
Miss Paula, I knew if anyone would totally get it, it would be you and Miss Joanie.
I have written...even done a TV feature...many times about this remarkable family. John Paul Gaido and his brother Mickey ran the restaurant for years after their father, Mike, passed away. We call John Paul "Paulie." (Mickey, Paulie and I grew up together.)
Before Paulie returned to work with his Mr. Mike and Mickey, he got a law degree and passed the bar.
He then decided that Galveston should have a Tall Sailing Ship, not just any ship, but one that had actually served Galveston. Through research he found one in Greece, bought it, went there and got it towed to Galveston, helped raise the money to totally restore it, and now it is one of the most famous in the world....a big tourist attraction at the Galveston wharves. It's the Tall Ship Elissa, and it actually sails several times a year. Several times all the way to New York Harbor.
So after a few more years at the restaurant, Paulie decided he wanted to go back to college, get a graduate degree in religion and become ordained as a Catholic deacon. He's now completed that.
All of these Gaidos are remarkable.
Bill,
The Gaidos certainly do sound like amazing folks of very high character who relish in the goodness of life and of 'getting on with it'.
They set a fine example for all....I would sure love to go there for dinner some day; and I believe I will. I'll make sure and tell them that BillyCherry sent me.
(((-:
Jo
Miss Jo --
The day you get that way for dinner at Gaido's, I'll assure you the red carpet will be down and I'll treat you to their famous "Never Ending Seafood Dinner."
You're the VERY person who would love the whole thing, from the family, to the product, to the ambiance. ANd they'll love you because you could easily be a long lost Gaido.
Bill,
Thanks for sharing this great story. Have not been to Gaido's in years, but this story brought back good memories.
Why thank you, BillyCherry! That's one of the nicest compliments I've ever received. ((-:
Jo
Bill
Knowing where the restaurant is located I am surprised they weren't destroyed. One of my favorite places to dine. My first trip there was about 40 years ago. A true Icon for Galveston.
I agree with Trey... Gaidos is always a favorite meal of mine in Galveston! I'm glad to see that they survived OK!