St. Elmo Server Retires After 42 Years

Lorenzo Acuna

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After nearly 42 years as a server at St. Elmo Steak House, Lorenzo Acuna has hung up his bow tie and officially retired. He was originally hired by former Co-owner Harry Roth, (part of the namesake of St. Elmo’s companion restaurant Harry & Izzy’s) and believes he has served more than 300,000 guests. Roth and co-owner, Isadore Rosen sold the restaurant to Steve Huse in 1986, who then partnered with his son, Craig, in 1997.

Reflecting on his past, Acuna recalled two of his proudest moments, “Winning the Rose Award for Service and Hospitality in 1997 and traveling to New York City for the James Beard Awards Ceremony in 2012, where St. Elmo received the James Beard American Classic Award.”

As for his most memorable moment, “We used to initiate rookies,” said Acuna. “We would stand in the bar area and one guy would pretend to try to remember the words to the Gilligan’s Island theme song. So they would get the new guy to start singing and then all join in. When it was over, we would all throw a glass of water on the new person and say, “Welcome to St. Elmo!”

Asked about best guest, Acuna stated, “Bobby Brown in the 80s. He ordered everything and over-tipped.”

Upon retirement, Acuna looks forward to spending time with his family, working in his yard, going to the gym and traveling.