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Liberty Garcia has been serving breakfast at Jack & Benny’s since she was 12
PHOTO BY WILL SHILLING
In the breakfast world, when 5:30 a.m. arrives, there’s no hitting snooze. Liberty Garcia knows this well; she’s been a fixture at her brother’s greasy spoon, Jack & Benny’s, for 14 years. It’s an impressive feat for a 26-year-old (yes, 26). The youngest of five siblings, she’s small. And mighty.
Her career started with the goal of a 12-year-old. “I really wanted to buy all these sweet Gelly Roll [colored] pens,” she says.
So her parents told her to work. First, she was behind the counter, preparing toast and working the register. Next up: serving tables, despite her inherent shyness. Now, Garcia’s duties also include ordering inventory and running payroll when her brother is away. She’s also been known to kick out drunks.
“I have to make sure that I present myself so people respect me,” she says. “People want to step on me, because they think that I’m a lot younger than I am.”
These days, Garcia has a few more goals—ones that go beyond novelty pens. As the first-ever Miss Clintonville Latina, she’s competing in March for the title of Miss Ohio Latina. After that, she wants to work on her own business, a coffee and pastry shop next door.
Meanwhile, she spends her mornings serving up plates of Buckeye Pancakes (her idea) and fresh-squeezed orange juice to hungover students and regulars with very particular habits. (One customer dines every Sunday at 11, same food, same table.)
Garcia serves local celebrities, as well. Jim Tressel is an apple pancake guy. Urban Meyer? He likes huevos rancheros.
Which of the two coaches does she like more? She pauses.
“I like Jim Tressel because he’s been here so many times and everybody knows who he is. Maybe Urban Meyer ... Well, we’ll give him a little time, to see how frequently he comes back.”
Chances are, he’ll be a regular. The coach already claimed his spot, Garcia proudly announces: “It’s table 11.”
Jack & Benny’s
2563 N. High St. Campus
614-263-0242
jackandbennys.com
