Super Suppers stocks shelves with healthy dinners
by JILL SCHMELZER Ken-Ton Editor

Owner Julie Santercole sets up one of the make-it-yourself stations at Super Suppers.

Julie Santercole, like many women, could never decide what to fix for dinner after work - peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grilled cheese, macaroni?

She said she often found herself driving to fast food restaurants on the way home to feed the stomachs of her two hungry children and husband.

It wasn't until she heard of Super Suppers that she decided to change her life and open her own franchise of the company, which was started in Texas by chef Judy Byrd.

The store, located at 1565 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, allows people to assemble their own dinner trays and bring them home to heat up that night or freeze for future meals.

Patrons can choose from two sizes - the smaller container feeds three people and the larger container feeds six. Then, follow the oven instructions, and dinner is served.

There are also Grab 'N Go dinners in which Santercole premakes the trays, including the entree, side dishes, appetizers, desserts and breads.

The menu changes on a monthly basis, and those wishing to assemble the trays themselves can choose however many entrees they want to create, the Tonawanda resident said.

The recipes are supplied by the Culinary Institute at Fort Worth, Texas and have zero trans fats.

Meat is prepared daily and sliced fresh at the time of assembly.

"People save an average of 30 hours per month," Santercole said. "There's no prep work and no shopping."

Purchasing spices isn't necessary either because they are supplied at the store.

"It's easy, convenient and cute," Santercole said, noting the Tuscan decor.

The closest Super Suppers franchises to Santercole's store are in Rochester and Erie, Pa.

"It's perfect for my busy lifestyle," said Santercole, who co-owns the business with her husband, Mark, and father-in-law Gene.

"It fits everyone's lifestyle," she added, noting that private parties are available for groups of six to 12.

She also participates in fundraising efforts for not-for-profit organizations such as The Buffalo Zoo and Summit Educational Resources.

"Buffalo's a great place, so we want to give back to Buffalo," she said.

This month's menu includes bacon cheddar meatloaf; chicken piccata; chicken posole with corn muffins; chicken spaghetti; corned beef and cabbage with new potatoes; crunchy baked fish with macaroni and cheese; Dr. Pepper flank steak; Kung Pao beef with rice; Olde English classic shepherd's pie; orange curry pork chops with brown rice; shrimp, chicken and artichoke bake; and stuffed shells.

Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday.

For more information and prices, call 835-0500 or visit www. amherstsupersuppers. com.