Family affair

Watch Andy and Amy Hancock talk about their plans for the restaurant and their upcoming wedding.

Amy and Andy Hancock talked about their upcoming October 27 wedding and other plans that are in the works while at their restaurant, Gordonville Grill, on Friday, October 12, 2007. (Kit Doyle)

Do you dream of a world where servers aren't trained to rattle off catchy sale-slogans and wear flair?

Then, according to owner-operators Amy and Andy Hancock, their restaurant, the Gordonville Grill, is the place to dine.

"We both got started in corporate restaurants as servers in college. We knew that we didn't really want the cookie-cutter feel of a corporate restaurant," Amy Hancock said. The couple met while working together at a locally operated corporate restaurant.

Andy Hancock said that although corporate restaurants are not bad, he had always wanted an atmosphere that gave him more freedom. "Our dream was to own and operate our own restaurant. Without the rules set in a corporate atmosphere, we can tailor the restaurant to our clientele," he said.

The Hancocks plan to reevaluate the Gordonville Grill menu every six months. Nachos are their most popular appetizer, but the catfish entree really keeps people coming back. (Kit Doyle)

Keeping with the family-owned theme, the Hancocks developed some of the Grill's recipes, while others were borrowed from family members. Daily made-from-scratch plate lunch specials are part of the theme.

Another component of the home-style restaurant is the building. According to the Hancocks the building that now houses the Gordonville Grill was built in 1906 -- home to a general merchandiser for years. They said that by the mid-1980s the building was vacant until former Gordonville Grill and current Midwest Construction owner Stacey Mansfield renovated the building.

Amy said the old building adds to the charm and feel of the restaurant.

In addition to the lunch and dinner menu, the Gordonville Grill offers a full bar with wine list as well as catering services. Catering inquiries can be made online at gordonvillegrill@charterinternet.com. The Gordonville Grill is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.