Meet Denver and Dinali

Denver and Dinali Family Restaurant recently celebrated their 1 year anniversary. The owner, Alda Skenderi stated that people are still coming in for the first time saying they did not know this business was in Staunton. Alda, and her husband, Everest, came from Albania, a small country in Europe, 3 years ago, hoping to find a better life for the two of them and their child, Dinali. She had been a lawyer in Albania for City Hall and Everest was an administration lawyer working for the Directory of Embassy Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They first settled in Glen Carbon where they worked part-time jobs around Glen Carbon and Edwardsville. They soon had their second son, Denver, and life became more difficult for them. They found the part-time work was not going to provide them with the vision they had for their family. Alda's brother owned a business nearby and suggested that maybe the restaurant business would help her find some satisfaction. They began to search for a building to start their restaurant. Once they found the location and building, they started the renovations to update the building. The restorations took longer than expected and they were anxious to get started.

Alda Skenderi and Everest Agaj, owners of Denver and Dinali Family Restaurant

Alda employs 7 full time workers and 2 part-time people who bus tables on the weekends. Alda made the menu for the meals, but she has started adding a breakfast or lunch special that is not on the menu. The specials can change daily. For instance, they offered liver and onions after it was suggested by a regular customer. The popularity of the dish has caused her to place it on the menu more often. For their anniversary breakfast, they offered D & D pancakes: 3 pancakes topped with white chocolate, cookie crumbs and Biscoff buttercream. The desserts are homemade, with pineapple upside down cake and cheese cake are two of her favorites.

When asked to tell us something people would not know about her or her business, she immediately said, "Mother Theresa". Mother Theresa is was half Albanian and half Indian. Alda says 99% of the businesses in Albania will have a picture of Mother Theresa in them. Most homes in Albania have pictures of Mother Theresa. She says that most Albanian's try to live a part of their life being humble like her. They love helping people and they do not want to do it loudly to be noticed. They want it to come from the heart. When you enter the restaurant, look for the portrait of Mother Theresa on the East wall. Make sure to smile and wave to show Alda and Everest some love.