Covered in a white-crinkled apron, he hurries across the restaurant floor. Dashing from the sink to the table tops, he scrubs quickly, remembering he still has to take out the trash. Having done so, he returns to the sink to wash out the pans, keeping an eye on his surroundings, making sure to never miss an opportunity to talk with customers.
His name is David Montanez, and he is arguably the most enthusiastic employee Milwaukee has ever known.
“I’ve never called in sick, never came in late and never took off of work,” the 58-year-old Montanez said, folding his arms in an appreciative stance. For the past three months Montanez has been cleaning up at The Broken Yolk, located at 2040 W. Wisconsin Ave.
After anxiously pleading with owner Jim Gatto for a job, Montanez was permitted to work for an hour and a half each day. The job includes free meals from the restaurant as well as Montanez’s signature-white apron. In return, Montanez brings along his red flannel button up and beaming personality.
“It gives him a reason to get up in the morning,” Gatto said, confirming his hiring decision. Though cheerful now, life for Montanez was not always easy.
“I barely made it through high school,” Montanez said with a small laugh, remembering his days at Sheboygan’s Urban Junior High School.
At the age of 18, Montanez attempted to join the military. “I tried out for every branch,” Montanez explained. “They said I wasn’t physically fit enough, but what it boils down to is they didn’t want me.”
Feeling unneeded and unloved, Montanez turned to alcohol. Today he has overcome that addiction and is proud to have put it behind him.
Now his happiness remains intact both through working and through narrating his visits to the hairdresser. “Last time my hair was so thick the barber asked me if I used a rake to comb it,” he said, flashing a smile that would give even the most animated cartoons a run for their money. “I said to the barber, ‘no, there’s no leaves in there!’ ”
After moving past his mistakes and challenges, Montanez just wanted a chance to prove he could do something to the very best of his ability. This job gives him that chance.
“I think his intentions are good. He means well,” Gatto said, smiling as he simmered eggs in butter. “Taking care of people is what the world is all about. It doesn’t make you a hero.”