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Community says goodbye to beloved restaurant owner

For decades Mary Jean Bonfili has been the driving force behind St. Petersburg’s iconic El Cap restaurant on 4th Street North.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Coworkers and customers are mourning the loss of Mary Jean Bonfili. If you don’t know her name, you probably know her restaurant. 

For decades, Bonfili has been the driving force behind St. Petersburg’s iconic El Cap restaurant on 4th Street North.

Stepping into El Cap is like stepping back in time. The walls are clad with nostalgic photos and newspaper clippings.

Their basic menu has unapologetically offered some of the greasiest cheese-burgers for decades.

Peter Bartosiak, a regular at El Cap for 50 years, said he was sad to hear the news of Bonfili’s passing.

“She is very well liked,” Bartosiak said, “And, damn, we will miss her a lot.

Bonfili died Tuesday at the age of 66.

“She, for a good while, thought we might come out of it. You know, cancer sucks,” El Cap Manager Tara Mattiacci said.

Bonfili and her husband Frank first took over the restaurant about 40 years ago from Frank’s parents.

When Frank died in 1997, it was like time froze at El Cap.

“I think she wanted to keep it the way Frank had it,” Mattiacci said. “There were so many people that loved Frank. And I think she wanted to keep it for him.”

“I was here when both of them passed away, and both of them were great people,” said Johnny Johnson, who started cooking at El Cap 27 years ago.

He remained loyal and grateful to Mary Jean and Frank.

Chances are if you’ve had an El Cap burger, Johnson cooked it.

For decades, families have made stopping at El Cap a tradition before or after Tampa Bay Rays baseball games. It’s an oasis of familiarity.

“It’s nice to have something comforting that hasn’t changed,” customer Barry Greenfield said. “As compared to something that’s new and modern and doesn’t have a whole lot of atmosphere or personality.

Bonfili did what she could to preserve El Cap’s charm.

She was fiercely loyal to her suppliers, using the same tomato growers from Ruskin and the same beef supplier for their burgers.

Mary Jean and Frank had no children of their own. El Cap was their baby. Employees and customers were like family. So, for many, that begs the question, what happens to the iconic restaurant next?

It’s not official, but workers are pretty sure Bonfili left the place to them.

Just like she preserved El Cap in Frank’s memory, it’s their intention to do the same for her.

“It needs to stay the El Cap.  It’s a traditional place,” said Mattiacci, “This is the way she wanted it. It’s not really for anyone to change.”

Bonfili does have a surviving relative: Her aunt Millie is 85 years old.

The restaurant said it was planning a memorial service for the public to come to the restaurant on June 9 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

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