BY Stacey McArthur

Creating tasty food and serving it runs in Besim Saliji’s blood. As a child, he hung out at his grandfather’s bakery in Croatia, close to Macedonia. Around 2000, he and his family moved to Indiana, where some of his siblings had already settled. He’s worked long hours at family restaurants since then.

He decided to ditch the long hours but not the restaurant work he loved. That’s why he and his wife opened Cranberries Family Restaurant, a breakfast and lunch establishment in Jasper, Indiana. “They liked the small-town vibe, community, and the way people live here,” said Tarynn Reeves, manager, who has worked since the day they opened three years ago.

A family affair

Restaurants run deep in the family. Saliji’s wife, Zemi, helps operate Cranberries. His cousin, daughter, and son also work there. Everyone knows every job at the restaurant. And Saliji has more than 25 years of culinary experience working in many restaurants and helping his family establish their own restaurants.

Saliji helped found Benjamin’s Family Restaurant in Rossville before the company moved to Rockville. About 10 years later, he moved to Covington and helped his sister and brother-in-law establish Benjamin’s Family Restaurant of Covington. His cousin also operates American Table Family Dining in Washington. 

Home cookin’

Saliji enjoys cooking breakfast and serving it all day. Cranberries offers cooked-from-scratch specialty omelets, fresh hash browns, and thick-cut bacon for breakfast. Most ingredients are also locally sourced.

“Our food is consistent,” said Reeves. “When you come in, you know what kind of food you will get and what kind of service you will get. We have the same cooks every day, so that everything will taste the same. The customers recognize the staff. It’s like eating at home.”

Patrons can order worldly items, such as a Monte Cristo that features two pieces of French Toast with Swiss cheese and grilled ham, along with hash browns, fruit, or oats. There’s also a German skillet that includes corned beef hash, American fries, Swiss cheese, two eggs, and toast, as well as many Greek dishes. Additionally, they serve sandwiches, wraps, salads, Walleye and baby beef liver and onions.

“Besim wanted to offer hometown people the food they loved but also entice them with dishes that aren’t served at other places,” said Reeves.

Another way the restaurant shows its appreciation for its customers is by serving generous portions, offering children’s and senior menus, and keeping prices reasonable. “We value our customers, and we never want them to feel like we are running their pockets,” added Reeves. 

Cranberries Family Restaurant

198 Third Ave., Jasper, IN 47546
812-556-0237

cranberriesfamilyrestaurant.com

Open daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Extended hours on Fridays.