Page 32 – North Central News, March 2011
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
George Vassiliou stands in front of a painting of his grandmother, the matron of the family business. It is her recipe for calamari, pictured here, that he still uses today. The interior of Greektown has traditional whitewashed walls accented with bright blue paint. Members of his family can be found in most of the murals (photo by Teri Carnicelli).
Café Chat For local restaurant listings, visit our Dining Guide online at www.northcentralnews.net
It’s all Greek to George Vassiliou By Patty Talahongva Lunchtime at Greektown Restaurant, 8519 N. 7th St., is casual and delicious with owner George Vassiliou dashing around seating customers, taking orders and delivering drinks, all the while chatting up a storm with his patrons. In between waiting tables Vassiliou
takes a few questions about how his business has fared in the recent economic downturn. “How many people do you see on staff for lunch?” he asks. It’s just one person—him. “That’s how you survive. As an owner you can’t be shy. You have to bus tables, tend bar, whatever. It’s just me and my great chef,” he says and adds modestly, “I consider myself a great server.” Vassiliou has been in the family restaurant business for more than 35 years now and he knows what it takes