Lenny’s is Bringing Back the 80’s!
Story about Lenny’s
In 1974, Lenny Martire purchased the M&M Drive-In, which is where the kitchen is located today. At a young age and with all the teachings of his father, he started his own restaurant and called it, naturally, Lenny’s. He had the front dining room built to create indoor seating for the first time. He still had the drive through window, which was where the southside dining room is today. Lenny introduced the Stromboli to Cheney. He was also famous for his fresh hand-cut French fries that left the customer wanting more. He created his own tartar sauce to die for and his shakes had a special ingredient known only to those who worked at Lenny’s.
Appetizers
Classic American Burgers
All single patties are 1/3 lb. 100% Angus beef and double patties are 1/4 lb. 100% Angus beef. All our tasty hamburgers come with ketchup, mustard, onions, lettuce, pickles and tomatoes on a toasted pretzel bun. (Regular bun by request, Gluten Free Bun $2.50 extra). Mayo can be added upon request.
Also comes with fresh hand-cut French fries, onion rings ($2 extra) or side salad/soup ($2 extra). Substituted sides can be added for an extra price.
Veg out, Man: Ask for our vegan burgers instead of the beef burgers and everything is chill in’
Specialty Burgers
All specialty 1/4 lb. 100% beef hamburgers and sandwiches come with your choice of hand-cut fresh fries, onion rings ($2 extra) or side salad ($2 extra). Gluten Free Buns can be substituted for $2.50.
(Substituted sides can be added for an extra price)
Veg out, Man: Ask for our vegan burgers instead of the beef burgers and everything is chill in’
Sandwiches & Handhelds
Each sandwich comes with choice of fries, chips or side salad ($1.50 extra)
Soup & Salads
Lenny’s Specialties
Fish & Chips
Beer battered and fried golden brown.
3 Piece $10.95
5 Piece $15.95
Chicken Strips & Fries
Breaded chicken fried crispy.
3 Piece $8.50
5 Piece $12.95
Kids
Chicken Strip & Fries $5.50
Hamburger & Fries $5.50
Mini Corn Dogs & Fries $5.50
Adult Beverages
Must be 21 to purchase these drinks. Driver’s License is required.
Beverages
Ice Cream
Ice cream flavors are chocolate, vanilla, or swirl (with chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, banana, blueberry or pineapple)
(cookies & cream, peanut butter cup, mint chocolate, M&M, salted caramel and much more. Use your imagination.)
Order Online & Pick-up
call us at (509) 498-6533 or visit us at 1204 1st St. Cheney Wa 99004
Get Directions
Lenny’s Story
In 1974, Lenny Martire purchased the M&M Drive-In, which is where the kitchen is located today. At a young age and with all the teachings of his father, he started his own restaurant and called it, naturally, Lenny’s. He had the front dining room built to create indoor seating for the first time. He still had the drive through window, which was where the southside dining room is today. Lenny introduced the Stromboli to Cheney. He was also famous for his fresh hand-cut French fries that gave the customer wanting more. He created his own tartar sauce to die for and his shakes had a special ingredient that no one in Cheney knew what it was unless you worked at Lenny’s.
On May 18, 1980, every Cheneyite living here knew Mount Saint Helens and the mounds of ash she left all over town. You would see Lenny shoveling the ash off the roof, which was laboriously tough. Just a couple weeks after that ill-fated day, Cheney started to see the sunlight again and in walked a young lad right out of Cheney high school, looking for a job. Lenny hired Allan Gainer in June of 1980, right before he had to DJ a junior high dance an hour later, which he was known for at the time. Lenny taught this young lad the world of restaurant and fast food. He was like a big brother to him add taught him more than flipping hamburgers. He was Allan’s Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid.
After six years and a college degree from EWU, Allan learned all he could from his teacher and joined the Navy to see the world. Lenny kept growing his business and went on to teach other young men and women to grow and learn the business of restaurant work and some may say more than that. Today, you can see many of these students of Lenny’s and are part of a special group in Cheney and feathered throughout the world.
Lenny retired to play golf in Arizona in the early 2000’s after over 25 years of serving burgers to Cheney. He sold his business to another great Italian name John Matika who carried the Lenny’s name afterwards. John changed it to an authentic Italian restaurant and won regional awards for his cooking. He added the south-side dining room and increased the size of the kitchen so you can have more than two people working. John made a great name for himself on his cooking style and grew the business.
Due to illness, John and Jenn1fer, his partner, decided to sell the business. It was on the market for quite some time. As the stars lined up, Cheney’s former mayor and former business owner of the Tree of Knowledge bookstore talked to Darlyne Hatten about investing into the business and have him run the business. Darlyne agreed and purchased Lenny’s, and Allan was back at Lenny’s. Keeping the same name, Allan, who is no longer young, but grown in wisdom, wanted to give back to Cheney what his mentor, Lenny, did so many years ago. Keeping the memory alive, Allan decided to create the first 80’s family restaurant in the Spokane region since it was the 80’s when he worked at Lenny’s. He welcomes all those who used to enjoy Lenny’s cooking, those who worked here one time in their lives and of course introduce the great foods from Lenny’s. Allan kept the name in honor of this great man, who is still with us and teaching. Lenny has Allan’s ear even today, thus, the thematic history of Lenny’s classic is back to the 80’s. One day, Allan would like to see the DeLorean Car Club to come visit at Lenny’s add to have a picture of Lenny and himself sitting in one.
Now, it’s 2021, in the middle of Covid-19, a historical event taking place. A time not to open a restaurant. We will begin another adventure to share Lenny’s great cooking and of course his famous Stromboli. Lenny’s Classic American Burgers is more than a restaurant … it’s an adventure in time … So, make it a good one.