Our Chef

JoJo's Americana Supper Club, established in July of 2007, is Joey Santos' newest restaurant endeavor on America's Third Coast in Douglas, Michigan, but he is hardly a stranger to the hospitality industry. Growing up with his mother, Maria Santos, Joey experienced first hand, the art of entertainment, as Maria was known for throwing some of the most lavish and best parties in L.A. Joey and his brother, Perry, actually launched their own restaurant in Hollywood called "El Mocambo," which featured a Cuban cuisine and pre-Castro Havana-like atmosphere.

Following a successful four year run of "El Mocambo," Joey became a private chef and caterer to Hollywood's elite, cooking for celebrities like Norman Lear, Elizabeth Taylor, Warren Beatty, Annette Benning, and Barbra Streisand, to name a few. He was a chef for and became good friends with America's first super-model, Janice Dickinson. Joey was also a guest on her show, " The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency," featured on the Oxygen Network, which brings us to Joey's experiences in acting.

Joey Santos' father is Joe Santos, Sr., who starred on "The Rockford Files" and more recently, on "The Sopranos." Following in his father's footsteps, Joey studied under director, Milton Katselas at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. He subsequently landed a recurring role on NYPD Blue as a uniformed cop named Office Aiello.

Joe Santos Sr. and Janice Dickinson attended the Grand Opening Gala at JoJo's Americana Supper Club in August 2007. Singer Patti Brooks flew in from LA to sing with the band, as did Joey Santos, himself who has sung in numerous venues in Hollywood, New York, Lake Tahoe and South Beach. Joey Santos obviously brings a great deal of culinary experience and charisma to Michigan's West Coast.