Photo courtesy The University of Texas at Arlington’s Squire Haskins Photography, Inc. Collection.
Vick Clesi, known for his popular Vick’s Cafeteria in Northlake Shopping Center, has died. He was 89.
Clesi learned the family business from his father, Vick, Sr., who owned a hot spot downtown. When Clesi opened a new place on Ferndale just north of Northwest Highway, the official name on the giant sign out front was Vick’s Steak House and Cafeteria. Downstairs, patrons traveled with trays along the line to make their choices cafeteria-style. Upstairs, they found a club and reception hall, where wedding rehearsal dinners and special events were held.
In addition to their delicious food and friendly service, Vick’s was known for hiring and training local teens. Many advanced over time from bussing tables to setting up for parties to serving on the line to checking out customers. Lots of help was needed in his double-sized restaurant, and Clesi trusted young people to work hard and perform well.
Clesi was preceded in death by his parents, Vick and Louise, and by his brother, Victor, who was killed in WWII in the Battle of the Bulge. Janet, his wife of 49 years, died in 2021.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today/Thursday at 11 a.m. at Saint Patrick Catholic Church by Msgr. Milam Joseph, a friend of Clesi’s for 82 years. Afterward, there will be an Italian lunch reception provided by Prego’s Restaurant.
Vick Clesi, owner of Vick’s Cafeteria
