Providing services and programs that appeal to everyone is the primary goal of the new Mr. Spinner’z restaurant at 2710 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore.

The restaurant offers a number of options to appeal to all crowds, including an exclusive “U-D Side menu.” The menu lists all of the main entrees and side dishes separately so that customers can customize their meals.

The restaurant serves a variety of sandwiches, salads and other dinner options and also serves breakfast all day.

Teresa Mascote, store manager and DeKalb native, renovated the former Panda Chinese Buffet with the help of her husband and private owners and opened the new restaurant as Mr. Spinner’z in August. Since then, she said the restaurant has attracted a lot of people.

Although they have not advertised that much, Mascote said the combination of a good location, one that is familiar to residents, and word of mouth has played a large role in attracting good business.

The building itself has gone through many owners in the past. Before being Panda Chinese Buffet for three years, it was the Oakland Family Cafe, the Cozy Table and the Baron.

Mascote said that although many owners have not been successful in keeping the building, she believes a combination of customer service, inexpensive prices, good food and a good staff will attract more business and enable the present owners to be more successful.

“The idea is that you can get exactly what you want without having to pay a fortune for it,” Mascote said.

Sitting in a booth, finishing her meal, Jillian Wise, a DeKalb resident who works for NIU’s Center for the Study of Family Violence and Sexual Assault, was especially impressed by the large selection.

“I like the fact that I can create my own meal and get what I want,” Wise said.

Although Cortland residents Ron and Mary Hamilton were not particularly impressed with the quality of the food, they did like the senior-citizen discounts and peaceful, family-oriented atmosphere.

“I’ve had the chance to go to many expensive restaurants in the past, so I know what good food is,” Mary said. “Now we’re just looking for good value.”

In addition, the Mascotes are looking to open more programs to help extend their business. To help attract more college students, they plan to set up a delivery system and accept Huskie bucks.

Although there are no set dates for these changes, Mascote said they are currently in the works and will take place sometime in the near future. Tiffany Gonzales.

“Because of a change in business over the last decade, we are doing a lot more deliveries rather than in-house dining,” owner Jim Kardaras said.

Mr. Spinner’z Hours:

Monday through Saturday:

6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday:

7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Early-bird dinner specials:

3:30 to 5 p.m.