Densho Digital Archive - Mary Suzuki Ichino Interview I (denshovh-imary-01-0015)

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RP: What did your father serve western food in that restaurant, too?

MI: Yeah.

RP: Like steaks and pork chops, and that kind of thing?

MI: Steaks, he used to make the best roast. Oh, so tender. The best stew, you name it. He'd always serve soup, main dish, and salad. And always this little jellied pudding. It had a little sauce on it. So every time I see something like that I go, "My dad used to serve that in the restaurant." But they used to get that as a complete meal. Very, very reasonable. And that was just about getting over the depression hump, you know. And then especially on that Main Street, Second and Main by Saint Vibianas, there was a lot of people who were homeless or couldn't afford it. And I know that my dad used to give people free dinners. If they came to him and asked, you know, they were hungry, my dad would say, "Go ahead. Sit down." But if they sat down without saying anything and they took off, you will see my dad chasing 'em. He would not take that. So I thought, you know, good for old Papa. A generous man, but you have to be up front with him. So those are my good memories about my dad and that restaurant.

RP: Remember any of the customers at all? Anybody that sticks out in your mind?

MI: Well, not per se, but I know that when my dad passed away, several of his customers did come forward to tell us how much my dad helped 'em. We didn't know anything about it. And then we knew that he also helped White Memorial Hospital.

RP: That was considered the Japanese hospital?

MI: No, that was the Seventh Day Adventist.

RP: Oh, Seventh Day Adventist.

MI: Yeah. And then he supported this group or that group. My dad never said anything.

RP: So he was involved in the community?

MI: Yeah. And he just gave. He just, he was a very giving person.

RP: But very modest about it.

MI: Very, never, never took credit for anything. I think that's probably why we try to help people out, you know, when we can. Or, but he was a very good role model for us, let's put it that way.