Pontiac Family Kitchen Known for “Home-style Meals”

Originally from Macedonia, he immigrated to the United States in 2000 to be with his wife, Mindy Bekirovski. Mindy's parents, Sheri and Al Jaowski, owned the Wilmington House Restaurant in Wilmington County, which is how Sonny Bekirovski got his start working in the hospitality industry.

Pontiac Family Kitchen (904 W. Custer Ave.) dates back to the 1960s, when it was known as New Log Cabin, named for and built by the same people who created Old Log Cabin, which is still open today at 18700 Old Route 66.

Bekirowski and his wife took over the Custer Avenue restaurant in 2006 and served as co-owners for 15 years with her uncle, Abdulbayt “Vait” Yaowski, who was the restaurant's chef for more than 30 years before “retiring” in 2020 to open his own spot.

“And it was the first big main dining place, so to speak, in town,” Bekirowski said of New Log Cabin. “The food industry in Livingston County has a rich history, and I mean, there's almost no one who hasn't been here.”

Tammy Meierhofer, a waitress and assistant manager at Pontiac, has worked with Berkirowski for the past nine years and said she thinks customers enjoy coming to the restaurant because the food is good and the prices are reasonable, adding that her favorite menu item is the hot turkey.

“I love meeting and talking to people all day long. This is my favorite part of the job…waiting,” Meierhofer said. “Sunny is so friendly and everyone loves Sunny. It's so welcoming and (customers) feel like they know us.”

Popular menu items include breakfast, fried chicken, Friday fish fry, and Sunday brunch. In addition to the regular breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, the restaurant also offers a senior menu.

A different soup is served each day, such as bean soup on Mondays, stuffed peppers on Tuesdays, cabbage on Wednesdays, tomato mac on Thursdays, potatoes on Fridays, broccoli cheese on Saturdays and veggie beef on Sundays.

Other homemade weekly specials include stuffed peppers, corned beef and cabbage, catfish, chicken and spaghetti, baked chicken, roast turkey/pork, pineapple ham steaks, pork chops, biscuits and gravy, breakfast skillets, and salads.

“What we offer is a home away from home. Everyone that comes in, I know them by name and they know my name. It feels like home. The food is what draws them in,” Bekirowski said. “The recipes are home-style, traditional American food. The friendliness, the clean place and the reasonable prices. That's all we're known for. That's why we're known in the area.”

He said the restaurant is also known for its hearty meals, with diners deciding which days they want to visit based on rotating menu specials.

The Pontiac Family Kitchen has two dining areas for larger events that can accommodate up to 80 guests buffet style.

The restaurant has hosted local groups and regulars, including the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, retirees and the Red Hat Society, as well as area residents visiting for birthdays, baby showers, celebrations of life and other events, who typically call in to make reservations a week or two in advance, Meierhofer said.

“I always prepare food at home. I don't buy canned food or anything. I make all my own soups, sauces, meals,” Bekirovsky said, “but I think success in this job for me is getting to know people, giving them personal attention and caring for the table.”

He added that the longevity of the business has made Pontiac home to him and his family, and he hopes to stay in business for as long as possible.