Restaurant legend back where she belongs in Worcester — but for how long?

WORCESTER — All is right again in Main South, because Annie Jenkins is back.  

But no one knows for how long. 

“Welcome back. Retirement didn’t last very long,” Jenkins boomed Friday morning with a hearty laugh. 

Jenkins was in the spot she had occupied for decades — behind the counter at Annie’s Clark Brunch, 934 Main St., in front of the grill, frying up hash browns and cracking eggs that sizzled. 

It’s a good sight to see, because some thought they would never see it again. 

In June, Jenkins retired, closing her popular eatery after a 35-year run, including the last 29 as owner. 

But, as Jenkins said, retirement didn’t last long. 

Clark University lured her back. The college owns the building where Annie’s is located, Jenkins was always a tenant there, and the school asked her back because she’s woven into the fabric of Worcester.  

It helps that Clark students, faculty and staff have always loved her food and outgoing personality. Same goes for many in Worcester. 

"Annie's is an institution in the Main South community,” said Joseph Corazzini, vice president of government and community affairs at Clark. 

But for how long? 

Jenkins doesn’t know how long she’ll keep working, and Clark doesn’t want to rush her out the door. 

“(Jenkins and her daughter Megan Zawalich) can stay as long as they want,” said Corazzini, who added the goal is to ultimately find a Main South business owner with a track record of caring about the neighborhood to eventually take over Annie's.

There are other tenants in the building that Clark owns, and Corazzini said Clark has had discussions with them about potentially renovating the aging buildings between Woodland and Hawthorne streets, with the goal of bringing the businesses back when the work is done.

For now, Jenkins and Zawalich are essentially paid consultants, showing Clark how to run the operation. 

To be clear, Clark owns the business, and both Jenkins and Zawalich work for Sodexo, contracted by Clark to provide the staff and services to keep Annie’s Clark Brunch going. 

The waitstaff is learning the ropes, and Zawalich said the next step is to train Sodexo cooks.

“We’re back in the swing. It’s different and it’s the same,” said Zawalich, who worked at Annie’s for 15 years before her mother retired. “I couldn’t say no (to Clark’s offer to come back). We’re keeping mom’s memory here." 

Like her mother, Zawalich doesn't know how long she'll stay at Annie's.

Much stays the same  

Clark retained the restaurant’s name, memorabilia on the walls and the menu, including Zawalich’s popular macaroni and cheese. 

The place got a top-to-bottom cleaning and new equipment, including a reach-in refrigerator and freezer that Zawalich could hardly contain her excitement over. 

"Fancy new equipment" is what Zawalich called the new stuff.

Happy customers

As for customers, they’re thrilled Jenkins and Zawalich are back. 

“I think it’s awesome,” said Pam Davis, who occupied a booth with Peter Prinzivalli. “It’s a great place, with great food, and obviously (Jenkins and Zawalich) are great.  

“It makes Worcester, Worcester.” 

Annie’s employed many Clark students through the years, and some are still on the waitstaff, including senior Ksenija Scahill. 

“For me, it’s a sense of stability,” said Scahill. “(Jenkins and Zawalich) give me support. They taught me about Worcester and life in Worcester. 

“They’re like family.” 

Surgery, then reopening

Annie’s Clark Brunch reopened Sept. 12, and it might have happened sooner if not for Jenkins having surgery on her right hand in August to alleviate fluid buildup. 

She's a natural lefty, but needs both hands when things get busy on the grill. By the looks of things, Jenkins had no trouble navigating a spinach and mushroom omelet sizzling on the hot flattop. 

Bantering with customers while keeping her eye on the grill — a skill mastered over decades — Jenkins displayed her open-book personality and sense of humor. 

She gained 10 pounds in retirement and is glad to be back on her feet and moving around to get the excess weight off. 

“It’s better to come back to work," Jenkins said with her customary laugh. "I never ate when I was working here.” 

Time to drop in

So stop in for some homemade grub, and soak in the neighborhood vibe. And do it soon, because no one knows how long this mother-daughter team will stay in the restaurant game. 

“It’s nice to be asked to come back. It’s nice to know you’re missed,” said Jenkins. 

Annie’s hours are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. 

The restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday. 

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @henrytelegram