Earlettes Ellen Dickson, Jamie Maverick, Barbara McGaughy and Mary Francis West join “Charles” for made-from-scratch coconut meringue pie at Earl Abel’s Restaurant. Photo by John Bloodsworth

No one is absolutely sure how it all began, but they do know that it began at Earl’s on Broadway. Alamo Heights residents all, Mary Francis West and Ann Tobin Rowland were always dining together and so were Jamie Maverick and Ursula Gill. The friends found that Tuesday night at 7 p.m. was a perfect time to meet and eat, so they made it a standing date.

Soon Louella Hardie, Sally Berry Craven, Barbara McGaughy and Ellen Dickson were in the supper club that Ann Rowland dubbed the “Earlettes.”

Friendship brought them together, but the delectable home made meals kept them returning each week for their favorite dishes. Recently, members of the group met to dish it out in celebration of Earl Abel’s 75th year in business.

“Last Thanksgiving, I hosted 12 members of my family at my condominium and everything was ordered from Earl Abel’s,” said Mary Francis West. “It was fabulous. I don’t think they even knew that I had picked it up.”

Barbara McGaughy remembers that all of the wonderful dances, parties and dates from high school ended with a late dinner at Earl Abel’s. High school parties were even held at the legendary restaurant.

“For all of these years, the food has been consistently good, even with the change in locations,” McGaughy said.

Jamie Maverick was active in San Antonio Little Theatre in the 60s and 70s and vividly remembers Earl Abel’s as the destination for after-theatre gatherings. “It was the place to go for all the actors and crew after a performance. We had our entire cast here after ‘Bus Stop’ and ‘Seven Year Itch.’”

Ellen Dickson recalls that Earl’s was a popular point for young Texas A&M students to grab a ride back to College Station after a weekend in San Antonio. “Little Harry (Stengele) came to town to visit my parents, his aunt and uncle, as a college student in the late 40s. I remember driving him in our car to Earl Abel’s so that he could hitch a ride back to school,” recalled Dickson. “It was a very common thing to see lots of A&M students catching rides to school from Earl Abel’s in those days.”

For the Earlettes, everything at Earl Abel’s is very “Alright.” Diners at the historic San Antonio eatery have heard this greeting since Earl Abel himself visited with loyal customers in his original restaurant founded in 1933 on Main Avenue. The phrase, spelled in Earl’s own unique way, came to represent the restaurant and its dedication to the community.

To kick off the week-long celebration of Earl Abel’s milestone anniversary, activities have been planned that continue through Sunday. A different commemorative placemat will be given out each day while supplies last, featuring historical photos of Earl Abel’s and the new 75th anniversary logo.  Antique car clubs will display their classic cars, re-creating an image of days gone by. And a portion of the proceeds from fried chicken sales will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Les Dames d’Escoffier, a nonprofit culinary organization focused on scholarships for women.

As part of the diamond anniversary celebration, the restaurant will hold a drawing for a genuine diamond to be given to a lucky customer.  Diners will receive one entry per entrée ordered through March 15.

The winning ticket will be drawn during a community-wide event 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the restaurant, now located at 1201 Austin Highway. Drawings will also be held throughout the day for $75 Earl Abel’s Gift Cards.

Saturday’s event also includes the unveiling of a historical wall of photos. There will also be live entertainment that evening featuring an organist playing music honoring Earl Abel himself. And long-time Earl Abel’s pastry chef, Tony Sanchez, will demonstrate his skills decorating his famous chocolate éclairs. 

The restaurant has always used fresh ingredients and still makes all its foods from scratch, including several kinds of pies and cakes made daily. Low-fat, low-calorie menu items are popular as well, such as grilled chicken, spinach and Greek salads, fresh vegetables and Earl Abel’s new and made-from- scratch sugar-free pies.  Many of the recipes are the same ones used in the first restaurant.  Current owners Roger Arias and Gene Larsen have the original recipes and cookbooks, old menus and photos of the original restaurant and kitchen.

Earl Abel’s Restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 7a.m. until 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7a.m. until 10 p.m. For more information on the celebration, log on to Earl Abel’s Web site at www.earlabelssa.com or call 822-3358.