Cranky Al's In Wauwatosa Offers Socially Distanced Santa

WAUWATOSA, WI— Visiting Santa looks different this holiday season due to the pandemic. Many places require an appointment to see jolly ole' St. Nick. From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Santa will be sitting in a window at Cranky Al's,6901 W. North Ave. Kids can drop off letters to Santa as well.

Carioti runs Cranky Al's a staple in the Tosa area. In 2006, his aunt and uncle set up shop in East Tosa as a homegrown coffee and doughnut shop. The shop began adding pizza and other dishes to the menu.

"We encourage the kids to drop their Letters to Santa in the mail slot. Stop by, snap a photo, or wave to Santa on Saturday December 19th. Cranky’s will be making a donation to the Wauwatosa food pantry," said Cranky Al's Owner Joey Carioti.

Carioti said people can stop by to wave and take pictures. The restaurant is not accepting food donations on Saturday and the event is free. He told Patch that people can buy a coffee or doughnut or just visit with Santa.

"We just want people to come by and wave to Santa and make it a great experience. Its not about us but about our community,"Carioti said.

He added kids may not understand what 2020 has been like for adults, but at least they can remember that they saw Santa in the window.

Carioti is known for coming up with pop culture themed doughnuts such as a Tide Pod for the ill-advised Youtube challenge. He also had a Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle inspired wedding doughnut that coincided with his nuptials. Carioti also announced the birth of his daughter with a pink frosted doughnut.

For New Year's Eve, he will be offering 2021 gold and black icing doughnuts kits.

In the last decade, Santa would visit inside the restaurant and Carioti would take pictures of the kids.

"I always joke I'm going to make a book of kids crying on Santa's lap," Carioti told Patch.
He added it would be a great coffee table book and theme for 2020.