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Brothers in-Law and Partners
By the time you read this column, a new Breakfast-Lunch business
will be making history in New Lenox, IL at 426 Lincoln Hwy. The name of the
business is Mattina Café. The owners are Dino Poulakis and Jon Baron. When we
visited with Dino and Jon, two things became obvious immediately: one, they are
good people; the other, they possess a passion for success. Yet, they both come
from a different background: Dino is the son of Peter Poulakis; Peter came to
the USA from Evia. Dino was involved in the restaurant business with his
father’s restaurants like the Villa Marie and Orlando Inn. While a senior at
high school, he dated Shannon, Jon’s sister, for about a year. After graduation
they went separate ways and by accident they met a couple of years later in a
restaurant. They started dating again and last year they got married. After
completing his education in Public Safety and being only 26 years old, Dino
wanted to follow his father’s footsteps. He started his own business and owned
and operated a restaurant in Frankfort, IL that eventually he sold. He was
looking to open another one. Jon, 38 years old, at the other hand was involved
in his own business and he still owns four "The Great Frame Up" stores. A few
months ago at a family gathering, Dino and Jon decided to open Mattina Café.
Their plans call for additional stores after the anticipated success of their
first store. They chose the name Mattina which in Italian means "morning"
because they wished to introduce Mediterranean flavor into their concept. In the
picture we see Jon and Dino outside their restaurant.
A Great Pair: Kefalonia and Amfilohia
Peter Giafis came to the USA from Kefalonia in 1968; Chris
Parkonikos came to this country 11 years later from Amfilohia. Somehow, they
became good friends; actually they became a bit more; they were very good family
friends. They had many things in common including their love for restaurants.
They both owned restaurants before but this time they decided to continue their
friendship and make it stronger: they became partners as well. Jut a few days
ago they purchased from Alex Dollas Willow Hills Restaurant located at 6678 S.
Joliet Road in Indian Head Park, IL. When we visited with Peter and Chris at
their restaurant, the love and respect for each other became apparent. They have
great plans for the future, and one gets the feeling that these two friends and
partners know what they are doing. Their place has 175 seats and is open for
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; they also have a liquor license. Peter and Chris
are married and each has two children. They still have first degree family in
Greece and they visit there often. In the picture we see Peter and Chris inside
their restaurant.
High Quality Owners Are Loved By Employees
As I walked into Bentley’s Pancake House, located at 477
Georgetown Sq Wood Dale, IL, was fortunate to meet a friend, Georgia Aravatinos;
Georgia was working there as a waitress. After we greeted each other, I
mentioned that I had stopped there to see the owner John Lilas. She told me that
in all her years working as a waitress she never had a better boss. A bit later,
I had the chance to meet with John and verified Georgia’s opinion. John, a soft
spoken and serious man, came here from Kandila, Roumeli when he was 14 years
old. After working for many years in restaurants he decided to open his own. He
went to Davenport, Iowa and spent 5 years there owning and operating his own
place. Eventually, he decided that he "had enough" in Iowa and came back to
Chicago. He, and his dear Friend Tony Tsevas, 7 years ago opened their current
restaurant in Wood Dale, IL. Tony Tsevas came here from Aspropyrgos when he was
10 years old. When business goes well, partners are happy. When partners are
happy they want to expand; and that’s what happened with John and Tony. In
addition to their 150-seat Breakfast-Lunch place in Wood Dale, a few days ago
they opened their second 175-seat Breakfast-Lunch Bentley’s Pancake House
located at 142 E Lake St Bloomingdale, IL. We left his place wishing him great
success in his second location. But having spending some time with John, there
is no doubt that soon they will be looking for a third place. In the picture we
see John inside his restaurant.
Eggsperience Three Times
Pete Sakoufakis and his father Tom are the proud owners of not
only one but three Eggsperience Pancakes & Café places. We visited with Pete at
his 2000 Tower Lane Glenview, IL restaurant and we were impressed with his
second restaurant that opened last year. The first Eggsperience Pancakes & Café
opened in 2005 in Bannockburn, IL and the third earlier this year in Long Grove,
IL. Pete’s father came here from Kandila, Roumeli (coincidentally, he is from
the same place as John Lilas of Bentley’s and are relatives as well!). Pete was
born here and grew up in the restaurants. During his first year of college he
decided that his love was not college but the restaurant business. He never
regretted it. He is a successful businessman with three places, happily married
and proud father of 3-year old twin girls and 1-year old son. Omelets have made
his cafe famous, but there’s more than just eggs on the menu. Other breakfast
options include French toast, pancakes and waffles. The lunch menu features
salads, sandwiches, burgers and of course the incredible, edible egg. We read
the customers’ comments and one said: "I went to Eggsperience for breakfast with
2 friends and we had a WONDERFUL time. I ordered a skillet and it was so tasty.
My friends also loved their meals. The price was very reasonable and the service
was great!! The manager was even walking around greeting everyone which I really
liked. I really recommend this place to everyone if they want a great breakfast
or lunch!!" Another customer states: "Went there for breakfast last Sunday. We
had their Egg White Delight Ouellette and Berry Pancakes. Both were fantastic.
Service was great, restaurant sunny and cheery. We’ll be back next week!" In the
Glenview location we also met his manager Ruben Garza whom Pete knows since they
were 15 years old. Ruben is not only an excellent manager but a good friend as
well. In the picture we see Pete and Ruben inside the restaurant.
83 Years Old and Still Going Strong
John Georges arrived in the Chicago area, from Levidi, in 1972.
He enrolled in High School and as soon as he graduated he knew that he will make
his mark as a businessman. After graduation and while was working as a Bus Boy,
he came up with the name of his business: J C Georges. J stands John and C for
his brother Chris. Georges for Georgakopoulos! We met with John at his J C
Georges Restaurant located at 181 Countryside Plaza in Countryside, IL. After
spending a few minutes with John, you soon realize that you are dealing with a
good man. Although he has obtained great success, he is still humble and has
difficulty talking about his accomplishments. Over the years, they have owned
many restaurants; still now they own a few! He and his brother along with father
Alexios own 3 Breakfast-Lunch place called Elly’s Pancake House in Mundelein,
IL, Arlington Heights, IL, and Glenview, IL; they own Opa Estiatorio and
Portofino in Vernon Hills, IL. More than that, they own the properties as well
in almost all of their businesses. What is more amazing is the fact that their
father Alexios, now 83 years old, is still going strong and he is at the J C
Georges restaurant seven days a week! John is married to Maria from Lamia and
they have two children Alexios 12, and Clavdia 7. In the picture we see John
outside his restaurant.
A Great Success Story in Joliet, IL
Peter Gelis arrived in the Chicago area when he was 4 years old.
He and his brother Gus, along with brother in-law Elias, are the proud owners of
a great place: Jameson’s Pub located at 2755 Black Rd in Joliet, IL. Moreover,
the three of them own two more restaurants: Louie’s Chop House in Shorewood, IL
and Venue in Joliet, IL. There is another business Louie’s Chop House in Oak
Lawn, IL that is owned by Peter and Elias. We visited with Peter at his
Jameson’s Pub; Peter’s dream was to be involved in restaurants: worked as line
cook and assistant chef and soon realized his dream; now he is part owner in
four successful restaurants and looking for more. Peter has a daughter Niki 28,
who is managing one of his restaurants, and he has a son George, 18, who is a
college student. Incidentally, Jameson’s Pub is Joliet’s finest pub experience.
There, friends meet friends, come to watch their favorite sports, and enjoy
delicious, home cooked specials everyday of the week; it offers a comfortable
atmosphere and ample seating to accommodate individuals, couples, or large
groups. Jameson’s Pub also has a private room available for up to fifty guests.
The private room is perfect for meetings, birthday parties, anniversary parties,
or business functions; it offers table and lounge seating. It’s the perfect room
for creating an upscale ambiance. While at Jameson’s Pub, we also met with
Michael Vardikos, the son of partner Elias. The Gelis brothers are from Louka,
Tripolis and Elias from Lamia. In the picture we see Michael Vardikos and Peter
Gelis inside their restaurant.
Your Meal is Delivered To Your Table via Train!
James Gianakakos was born here; his father was born here as well
but his grandfather came from Sparta many years ago. Yet, James is definitely
Greek. James and his Greek wife Kathleen have been married for some time now and
they have adult kids: son Nick who works with his father in the restaurant
business and daughter Staci; They already have 4 grandchildren and are expecting
a fifth soon. James had owned and operated Royal Shield restaurant for
thirty-four years; at first with a brother in-law and later alone. All of a
sudden, Buona Beef, Inc bought him out and he was again available to open a new
place; and he did. James is the owner of All Aboard Diner located at 1510B West
75th Street in Downers Grove, IL. It has been almost a year now that the place
is open and his concept really took off. His business is unbelievable and the
idea paid off. Inside his restaurant, there is train that goes around constantly
up high and close to the ceiling. There is a huge counter in oval shape with
many stools and there is another train that goes around on the counter as well.
This train delivers the food to the customers. Waitresses carry beepers with
different frequencies. When the food that they ordered is loaded on the train,
the cook presses the order number and the waitresses are notified; their beeper
vibrates. When the train ends up in front of the customer, the waitress stops
the train with a remote control and the food is picked up. Then the train
continues its food delivery business! All Aboard Diner combines a great variety
of dishes, including mouthwatering burgers and homemade soups, with an inviting,
family oriented atmosphere! Children will love All Aboard Diner’s Kid’s Menu too
because the meals are delivered right to your table via Train! The restaurant
also has Kids Games - Train Souvenirs - Ice Cream Par lour and Video Games. In
the picture we see James Gianankakos inside his restaurant.
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If you wish to have news about your
business included in future columns of ESTIATOR magazine, please contact Peter J
Poulopoulos, MBA of Realpoul Realty by calling (773)
743-2100
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