SKANEATELES #- Since 1980, Mary and her husband, Craig Saunders, have been in the restaurant business. At the time, Mary said they were running one restaurant, but 14 years ago, they decided that it was time to expand.

This led them to open Cam's on Jordan Road in Skaneateles.

“We thought that it would be exciting,” Mary said. “Since we opened, everybody seems to love it. We wanted to make it a very family place, and I think that is how it is here. It is one big happy family.”

Over the years, the Saunders have built up a loyal and dedicated clientele, many of whom like Anne Comstock and her friend, Pearl O'Hara, never miss their Wednesday lunches at Cam's.

“We've been coming here every Wednesday for almost as long as they've been open,” Comstock said. “It is the kind of place where you know everybody and we meet all the same people every week. It is something we do that is special every Wednesday.”

And as dedicated as the customers are to Cam's, Saunders is equally as dedicated to them.

“Some of the regulars, if we don't see them for a few days, we start to worry,” Saunders said. “They are very important to us. We put a lot of love into this business and into our customers.”

It is this kind of atmosphere that the Sanders have strived to create, a place where people feel welcome and everyone knows everyone else's name.

“All the regular clients we know on a first name basis,” manager Karen Edwards said. “I think that is what makes this a nice place basically. You can come here and you can kick back with a cup of coffee and you feel like you are home. We really try to make it friendly.”

Arby and Judy Robinson, have been loyal customers for years and said that it was this atmosphere that first drew them in and has kept them coming back.

“It is homey, friendly,” Judy said. “It makes you want to come back; it is certainly what has kept us coming back.”

As important as the atmosphere of the diner is, there is no overlooking the food.

“The food is so good,” Judy said. “You get so much. There are such generous portions, and it is still so good and a good price.”

With a menu including everything from breakfast favorites like eggs and bacon to frettatas to soups, salads, burgers and pizza there is a little something for everyone.

“I think when people recognize you and know how you like your food, it makes it taste better,” Saunders said. “But we take the time to listen to our customers; we listen to what they like and we've added and changed items on the menu. We are always looking for ways to make our customers happy.”

Among the items not to be missed are the jalapeno burger and the peanut butter pie.

“We've tried everything,” Arby Robinson said. “But the jalapeno burger, it is the best around. I think it is the meat they use. But whatever it is, it is great.”

Yet the true house specialty has become the peanut butter pie.

“It is the only pie we make right here on the premise,” Edwards said. “It is a cheesecake style pie. We just sort of found the recipe. We started making it and working on it. People really liked it, and we've sold a ton.”

It is the item that no matter what else anyone has had, they remember to leave at least a little room for.

“It is delicious,” Comstock said. “No matter what else the peanut butter pie is the special thing every week when we are here. I think it is so good because it is made by Karen personally. It is just delicious.”

Whether you've been there a thousand times or just once, whether you come for dinner or a cup of coffee, Saunders said that at Cam's everybody is always welcome and appreciated.

“We love our customers,” Saunders said. “They support us, and we do everything we can to show them how much they mean to us. We put a lot of love into what we do for them to make them feel as comfortable and happy as we can while they are here.”