Behind an unassuming front door just off Barnet High Street is the hustle and bustle of a café which for the last 70 years has been producing a constant supply of full English breakfasts, hot meals, snacks, sandwiches and an endless supply of teas and coffees.
Dory’s – which is now being run by a third generation – is rightly proud of its claim to be probably the oldest family business trading in Barnet town centre.
An original of a painting – see above – by regular customer Charley Nash, which was on Dory’s Christmas card last year, is now on the cafe’s wall alongside other illustrations and memorabilia.
For the cafe’s 70th birthday party, family and friends joined in the celebrations with Guiliano Cardosi and Angela Casali, whose grandfather Ottorino Pellicci opened Dory’s in 1954.
Angela said they could not let the anniversary pass without a get together and a chance to look back on the family’s long history as cafe proprietors in High Barnet.
“It has been a great 70 years for us as a family.
“Dory’s has a wonderful, loyal following and we owe so much to our fabulous customers.”
Ottorino – whose name had been shortened to Dory – took over the cafe from the Mancini family in 1954.
He was one of a family of eight and set up in business on his own after leaving his father’s cafe E Pellicci in Bethnal Green Road which his parents had opened in 1900.
Dory’s was the name he chose for the cafe which is at the corner of Bruce Road and St Albans Road and was originally next door to the former site of Barnet Market.
The week after Ottorino and his wife Crimene opened for business Barnet’s cattle market closed, but the subsequent success of Barnet’s stalls market ensured a regular clientele.
The couple’s daughter Dorina (who died in 2021) and her husband Tony Cardosi took over the business and they have been succeeded by their son and daughter, Guiliano and Angela.
Angela has fond memories of helping her mother and father when stalls filled the former cattle market site (now a car park).
“Back in those days trade was so good we used to get queues outside our door.”
Angela and Guiliano are proud of Dory’s becoming something of a High Barnet institution and they are constantly surprised by who comes through the door. Sometimes it might be someone who remembers their grandfather or a television star of celebrity.
Singer and songwriter Lee Thompson, founder and saxophonist of the English ska band Madness was among the guests at the 70th birthday party – see above with staff members and Angela (second left).
A day in the life of Dory’s is the theme of one of the displays in a photographic exhibition in The Spires shopping centre.
Life in town centre shops and businesses during 2023 was captured by photographer Simon Hollins for his exhibition, Traces of Faces and Places, Barnet High Street. He caught Angela and Giuliano in a pensive moment.
Simon, who is a life-long Barnet resident and who has been head of digital technology for several leading media companies, says he appreciates how hard local businesses work to keep the High Street alive and the aim of his 2023 project was to highlight the services they provide.
