When Elias Deek purchased Clementine's Restaurant in 1980, there were few eateries on FM 1960. The small, 1,295-square-foot restaurant served large crowds of a community that was just beginning to be developed.

"There was nothing," Deek said. "We didn't have Willowbrook Mall. It used to be Jackrabbit Road. We used to be like maybe six restaurants or eight restaurants on [FM] 1960."

Clementine's is five times as large and far more versatile today, as it has expanded its space, its services and its menu throughout 34 years. A restaurant that initially served country food, the menu has expanded over the years to incorporate Italian cuisine, Deek said.

The restaurant's diverse menu features home-style dishes such as chicken fried chicken, fried seafood and a variety of steak dishes as well as Italian dishes, such as pollo francesca, a customer favorite.

"[The chefs] do everything from scratch, everything from chicken cannelloni Florentine to beef lasagna to all the sauces," he said.

Deek said Clementine's continues to offer "the best burgers and pattie melt" as well as chicken dishes, seafood, salads, soups, appetizers and desserts. The restaurant even offers a varied breakfast menu on the weekend and continues to offer its $21.95 buffet on Saturdays.

Clementine's also serves an evolving wine menu with up to 75 wine selections, in addition to mixed drinks and beer.

Deek said he bought Clementine's from owner Bill Laird in 1980. The restaurant first opened as an Italian restaurant—Sardino's— in 1974 before Laird purchased it. Deek said he was 27 at the time and was looking to invest in something while working in the oil and gas industry.

"We were thinking about buying some kind of business," he said. "We came here to have lunch, and my wife fell in love with it."

Deek credited the restaurant's success with the quality of the food, the quality of the service and how the eatery treats its customers.

"[It's] the personal touch that we build with every person, whether it's a regular or a new customer," Deek said. "When they walk in, they feel like they are part of the place."

However, the owner has adapted over the years, adding a banquet room in 1993 and expanding again in 1997.

"Small business has changed a lot the last few years," he said. "I read something Churchill said one time, 'You cannot quit. You have to keep going.' God gave me the talent of changing over the years. As long as we've been here, for 35 years, I have to keep changing to keep going."

Menu highlights

• Pollo francesca – Lightly pan-fried chicken breast topped with capers, artichoke and spinach in an Alfredo cream sauce ($12.95)
• Deek chicken – Sauted chicken breast served with sweet onions, bacon, mushrooms, goat cheese and a red wine sauce ($13.95)
• Pattie melt – A burger covered in sauted onions, melted swiss and served on grilled rye bread with a choice of grilled potatoes, steak fries, chips, fruit or grilled vegetables ($8.95)
• Chicken fried steak – Hand-breaded fried cutlet steak, served with a choice of gravy as well a house salad or soup, potatoes and a vegetable of the day ($12.95)
• Fettuccine pescatore – Sauted pasta with shrimp, scallops, crawfish tails and crabmeat in a tomato pomodoro sauce ($16.95)

More than a restaurant

Banquet room: This room seats up to 77 people and hosts events, including parties, rehearsals and corporate events.

Live music: Clementine's offers live music at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday, featuring mostly oldies and classics.

Saturday buffet: Since its inception in 1993, the buffet continues to offer varied meat options, appetizers, desserts and beverages for $21.95 from 6–9 p.m.

Clementine's Restaurant

6448 FM 1960 W.

Houston 281-440-5310

www.clementinesrestaurant.com

Hours: Mon. 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Tue.–Thu. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.,

Fri. 11 a.m.–midnight, Sat. 8 a.m.–midnight, Sun. 8 a.m.–4 p.m.