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Serving It Up

Lyn Whiting just retired after over four decades as a server at legendary Toledo destination Mancy’s Steak House. But is she taking it easy? Not quite yet. We sat down with her for a chat.

What made you stick with Mancy’s Steakhouse for 42 years?

We had great people to work with; I made some great friends at Mancy’s.

How did you get the job?

I was working at the Hospitality Inn, in the cocktail lounge. And John Mancy came in and said ‘I have a great restaurant, you should work with me’’ … it took him a few different times to [convince me]. I worked with John and George [Mancy] first. And Pappu was their dad — ‘pappu’ means grandpa in Greek. All the girls called him Pappu because he was just a dear, sweet man. He worked well into his 90s there, behind the counter selling cigars.

What was it like when Pappu passed?

Very different — you just missed his presence. People would come in looking for him.

What’s changed about dining since you started serving in the ‘70s?

People used to take their time. They didn’t have cell phones and do business while they were eating. They were more into conversation with who they were with.
Any celebrities you can namedrop after all those years of serving?

Jamie Farr, Muhammed Ali, Al Unser Jr., (a race car driver); Red Skelton, (a comedian who had his own show on TV). Scott Hamilton, the ice skater. And Robert Urich, who was a movie star. But those people come in once in their lifetime; they aren’t the ones supporting us daily. It’s the normal, regular people that we love who give us all a great living.

You’re gone now so you can play favorites. Which regular did you like best?

[Laughs] I had quite a few favorites, but I would never pick one out! All of my regulars were delightful people; I loved ’em all.

Lyn Whiting just retired after over four decades as a server at legendary Toledo destination Mancy’s Steak House. But is she taking it easy? Not quite yet. We sat down with her for a chat.

What made you stick with Mancy’s Steakhouse for 42 years?

We had great people to work with; I made some great friends at Mancy’s.

How did you get the job?

I was working at the Hospitality Inn, in the cocktail lounge. And John Mancy came in and said ‘I have a great restaurant, you should work with me’’ … it took him a few different times to [convince me]. I worked with John and George [Mancy] first. And Pappu was their dad — ‘pappu’ means grandpa in Greek. All the girls called him Pappu because he was just a dear, sweet man. He worked well into his 90s there, behind the counter selling cigars.

What was it like when Pappu passed?

Very different — you just missed his presence. People would come in looking for him.

What’s changed about dining since you started serving in the ‘70s?

People used to take their time. They didn’t have cell phones and do business while they were eating. They were more into conversation with who they were with.
Any celebrities you can namedrop after all those years of serving?

Jamie Farr, Muhammed Ali, Al Unser Jr., (a race car driver); Red Skelton, (a comedian who had his own show on TV). Scott Hamilton, the ice skater. And Robert Urich, who was a movie star. But those people come in once in their lifetime; they aren’t the ones supporting us daily. It’s the normal, regular people that we love who give us all a great living.

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You’re gone now so you can play favorites. Which regular did you like best?

[Laughs] I had quite a few favorites, but I would never pick one out! All of my regulars were delightful people; I loved ’em all.

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