CHANNEL MARKERS - for the long run
Gus Beligrinis greets every patron at his restaurant like family.
A Welcoming Experience Since 2007, Westlake Restaurant thrives on good food and friendly service by Tony Ricciardelli | photography by Lisa Crates
Gus Beligrinis, owner of the Westlake Restaurant in Denver, humbly acknowledges the sacrifices his parents made along their way, proving that arduous work and determination can lead to success. “My parents left Greece and arrived in Charlotte in 1971, with little money or prospects,” says Gus, “but they had unlimited optimism and a belief in themselves.” According to Gus, his parents forged their destiny when George found work in a restaurant kitchen more than fifty years ago. “My father learned the restaurant business beginning as a dishwasher and working his way up the ladder. In 1974, my parents opened their first restaurant in Charlotte. Over the years, the family moved us forward. I earned my stripes working at the restaurant,” says Gus. “My sister and uncle worked there as well.” Eventually, George and Dina sold the steakhouse and headed north to Denver, where Gus and his wife Sienna own Westlake. “We bought a restaurant that needed work,” says Gus. “After remodeling and updating, we opened the Westlake Restaurant in 2007. There wasn’t much going on in Lincoln County back then. We had to draw customers from a small population; it took time, but we made it happen. I’m grateful for the community’s acceptance, and I consider our customers as family.” On most mornings, Westlake’s dining room is bustling with busy wait staff and hungry customers. The same holds true for lunch. Favorite dishes include breakfast omelets, shrimp and grits, burgers, and country style steak. Patrons travel to Westlake from as 20
LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | MARCH 2022
far away as Hickory or Lincolnton, for the food, the camaraderie, and the welcoming atmosphere. Dede Dunst of Cornelius has been eating at Westlake for fifteen years. “The food is always excellent, and the waitstaff treat me like family,” says Dunst. “They know me, and they’re quick to welcome me as I come in the door.” The staff includes individuals who began working with the Beligrinises pre-Westlake, who hold a strong connection with their restaurant family. “I’ve been with the Beligrinises since 2003 when they were in Charlotte,” says server Jean Dalton. “They run a great business, and our customers treat us well.” Shannon Edwards has been working at Westlake since its opening. “Gus serves quality food,” says Edwards, “and the portions are generous. Nobody leaves here hungry.” George and Dina remain active in their son’s business, offering a hand when necessary. Most notable and hard to overlook is the up-and-coming addition to the restaurant staff: Gus’s six-year-old daughter Meadow—she’s often seen shadowing the waitstaff and eagerly assisting patrons as allowed. She’s having fun, making friends, and earning her stripes. Although she may not realize it, she’s taking care of the “family” at the Westlake Restaurant. Westlake Restaurant 1235 NC-16 Business, Denver https://www.facebook.com/westlakefamilyrestaurant Open Tues.-Sun. from 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
