About Us

History of the Business

Carbondale_O1.jpgThe Ben-Mar Restaurant opened its doors at our current location on Main Street in  Carbondale in the historic D&H Canal Company office building on December 3rd, 1963.   Until 1960 the structure served as Penn Division headquarters.  It hummed with activity, housing the offices of division superintendents, train dispatchers, road foremen of engineers and various others.

 

 

  

benedette_marino .jpgNamed after the original owners Benedette and Marino Zazzera the restaurant featured a lunch counter, and dining room seating for about 50 in a colonial decor with wooden captains chairs with  the former D&H  Office buildings original hardwood floors.  The hours were from 8am to 2am and breakfast, lunch and dinner were served daily.  Fresh muffins and pastries were available for breakfast and homemade soups, and sandwiches at lunch as well as a dinner menu of Italian specialties.  All traditional recipes of founder Marino Zazzera Sr. Are still used today.  A soda fountain featuring floats and sundaes was also available. 

Shortly after the restaurant obtained a liquor license and remodeled again in 1971 to accommodate the growing clientele of diners.  In 1974 the 2nd floor was converted to a banquet room and still is used today accommodating guests for all occasion parties from 25 to 140.  This room called the Avanti Room still hosts the Ben-Mar St. Jude Annual Golf Tournament dinner each September now in it’s 31tst year.  This tournament raises funds for St Judes Research Hospital. 

In 1987 an additional room and kitchen expansion was built bringing the restaurant to a capacity of 160 guests on the main floor.  The restaurant has provided breakfast , lunch and dinners, banquets, whittington_girls_s.jpgshowers, weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries as well as bereavement meals to the community for 45 years.  Our kitchen staff prepares daily homemade soups, breads, sauces and all our Italian specialties and homemade desserts.  Marino Sr. Still supervises daily restaurant operation with present owner his daughter Marina Whittington.  Third generation granddaughters, Marina’s daughters Jessica, Jenna and Joya assure the family tradition of quality food and service all helping out when needed. 

 

The Ben-Mar is not responsible for typographical errors that may appear on our web site. All prices and offerings subject to change without notice. All items offered are subject to availability.