Following his graduation from Jim Thorpe Area High School, Ryan Boileau dreamed of owning his own restaurant. His dream came true last month when Boileau opened Frenchies Restaurant and Pizzeria on Route 940 in Albrightsville.

Boileau graduated high school in 2011 and knew that he wanted to own a food truck someday, so he started out as a dishwasher at Boulder View Tavern to learn firsthand what it is like to work the back of the house. At Boulder View Tavern, he worked his way up to head sauté cook.Boileau then worked for Charles Gagliano at Gagliano's Pizza in Albrightsville, where he learned the art of pizza making."He is a great guy," he says of Gagliano. "I wouldn't be here without him. He was a great teacher."Boileau is known as Frenchie to his family and friends."When I first went out for football in eighth grade my football coach asked if my last name was French," said Boileau. "I said yes, and I have been Frenchie ever since."Frenchies is open seven days a week."Yes, we make pizza," Boileau said. "But we are a restaurant first. We want people to be able to come and have a nice meal if they want."Boileau is true to his word. The Philly style cheesesteak is made with fresh sliced ribeye steak. The cheesesteak sandwich sells for $9 and can be eaten in, taken out or delivered."I am lucky to have my family to help me," Boileau said. "That's my brother and my uncle, and my wife, Taylor, is very supportive."