Another employee opened the locked door thinking it was a colleague reporting to work around 5 a.m., Police Chief Donald Scorzetti said.
The robber -- who wore brown dress shoes and what was either a black poncho or long raincoat -- led the employee to the safe and ordered him to open it before fleeing the Washington Street eatery on foot with $956 in cash, the chief said.
He was described as having a light brown complexion and about 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-6.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Garfield-Lodi and receive free news updates.