It’s a business that just turned one-year old, but it’s rooted in family ties and traditions that go back decades.
Jim’s Ground Round restaurant, located at 1205 Spencerport Road (Route 31) in Gates is owned and operated by Jimmy, Kyle and Lindsay Nucelli – all siblings and children of Jim Nucelli who ran Jim and Ralph’s with his brother on Elmgrove Road for nearly 30 years.
In the tradition of their father, the Nucelli siblings opened Jim’s Ground Round in October of 2013, about three months after Jim and Ralph’s closed it’s doors.
The menu at Jim’s Ground Round features pressed ground round burgers, sandwiches, salads, wraps, wings, kids’ meals, and more, including milkshakes.
“All of our sauces are homemade,” Lindsay says, “Our meat sauces, soups, and chili are all homemade. Our meatballs are made by hand.”
“Our burgers are pressed with a pie plate,” Kyle adds.
The steak bomber is a customer favorite, Lindsay says. “The burgers get a lot of praise … and the wings.” Customers also enjoy the friendly service – both Kyle and Lindsay say – “People tell us they are always served by friendly faces.”
Q. How did you get started?
The three siblings, who range in age from 21-26, say they wanted to continue the restaurant tradition begun by their dad.
“A lot of people were disappointed when Jim and Ralph’s closed,” Kyle and Lindsay explain.
The three are working to pattern the restaurant more specifically on the original Jim’s Ground Round, which their dad ran on Buffalo Rd., before going into business with his brother.
They say they really enjoy working together and interacting with their customers.
“We know a ton of our customers by name,” Kyle says.
“We like the smaller atmosphere where we can be closer to the customers,” Lindsay notes.
Q. How is business?
“The business is doing great,” Kyle says, “it’s busier and busier each week.”
“People come in and say, we didn’t know you were here,” Lindsay says, and adds that the restaurant recently expanded its available seating by adding booths.
Q. Was there a big learning curve in opening your own place?
“The cooking and service were natural,” Kyle and Lindsay say. All three siblings had helped out for years at their dad’s restaurant, but being involved in the financial side of the business was a bit more challenging.
“We all have our part in the business,” they explain. For example, Kyle knows the recipes and Lindsay handles the money matters as well as the decorating. Jimmy was busy behind the scenes in the kitchen during this interview and focuses on customer service.
The Nucellis credit their dad for showing them what it is like to work hard.
“He dedicated himself to other people,” they say.
Q. How about the future?
The Nucellis say they are around for the long run.
“As long as our customers stay with us, we are here to stay,” Lindsay says.
There is room for the business to expand at its current location, if the Nucellis decide to do so.
Q. Any advice for a person thinking about going into business?
“You have to get along with the people you get into business with,” Kyle says.
“You have to love people,” Lindsay observes, “that’s what it’s all about.”
They both add that you also have to be willing to put in long hours.
Jim’s Ground Round is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
December 7, 2014
