Many people have asked how we chose the name Gabriel’s Italian Comfort, and the answer is simple and deeply personal. 

We named it after our grandfather and father, Gabriel “Gabe” Vardabash. Gabe was a proud World War II U.S. Army veteran (1942–1946) and someone who never stopped serving the town he loved. Many remember him as Mayor of Lyons from 1985–1997, others from his years as a Village Trustee (1956–1966), and many simply as a familiar, trusted face around town.

For years, Gabe was also part of daily life in Lyons through food and community. He was the owner of the Southside Market, a neighborhood staple where quality mattered and everyone was treated like family. Later, he spent many years working at Loson’s Big M, where countless locals came to know him not as a politician, but as Gabe—always ready with a conversation, a smile, and a genuine interest in how you were doing.

But to us, he was Grandpa. He was Sunday dinners, big tables, conversations, and the understanding that food is about more than eating—it’s about togetherness. He believed in hard work, honesty, tradition, and taking care of your neighbors.

That’s exactly what Gabriel’s Italian Comfort is about. No trends, no shortcuts—just comforting Italian food made the way family makes it. The kind of food you’d expect to see on the table at Grandma’s house on a Sunday afternoon.

This restaurant is our way of honoring his legacy and the community he gave so much to.

Our menu features traditional Italian comfort food made from longtime family recipes, including spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, chicken french, and other familiar favorites.