Trio Saved Falls Church Institution They Call Home

Along with your food at you’ll get something to wash it down and often a quick catch up chat with Dave Crance.

Crance, one of three men who own and operate the Falls Church institution, said he knows just about everyone who walks through the doors. He has seen young customers return with kids of their own and watched couple grow old together over the years. With each person, a story, a memory, a kind word.

“Most people would hate to have to get up to work on a Sunday morning,” Crance said Wednesday. “I look forward to it.”

With a competing restaurant pulling business from Bentley’s, the owners gave Crance a call in 1999 to see if he wanted to run the diner. Crance, who managed Bentley’s from 1995 to 1997, called on two partners – brothers Mohammad Asshar and Mohammad Ashraf – who worked at the diner as busboys when they were younger. The three took over the diner, along with working their day jobs.

Between bites of their food and chatter about politics, back to school sales and grand children, the Wednesday lunch crowd still found time to chat with Crance. Each greeting was personal as were the conversations. Crance said the diner has a following, some of the regulars go as far back to when Bentley’s was part of a small chain called “Three Chefs” in the 1960s. The diner took on its current name 30 years ago.

“Originally, it wasn’t an issue where we wanted to make millions,” Crance said of the decision to take over Bentley’s. “We just wanted to keep it open.”

At least four days a week for the last year, friends Patrick Williams and Dennis Anderson eat lunch at Bentley’s.

Williams, general manager for the neighboring , said he sends his guests to the diner all the time. He said the atmosphere and food are great and it’s convenient for guests to get to.

“It’s original,” Williams said. “You don’t find them like this anymore.”

Known for their all-day breakfast, Anderson said he comes in for the homemade soups and liver and onions, but more importantly, the burgers. He said the “Bentley Burger” is the best in the area. Anderson, general manager at the adjacent , said he loves coming into the diner.

“I always end up with a to-go box,” Anderson said. “They always give you good portions.”

Crance, vice president of sales for Baltimore Management Inc., said he doesn’t ever see letting the diner go. He said the family atmosphere keeps him going. He said when he comes off business travel for his “day job,” coming to the restaurant is like coming home.

“I enjoy the people,” Crance said. “It’s hard to get anything done with all the talking from table to table.”