04/11/2026
Today, we lost the man who started it all—Andreas or as many know him as John the Greek
He wasn’t just the name on the building. He was the foundation behind everything we do.
Andreas, along with my mom, started the original restaurant in North Vancouver in 1984. After my mom passed 10 years ago, my sister stepped in and began helping him more and more over the years. As his health declined, she took on a bigger role—eventually running the North Van location and being there for him every step of the way.
Before opening the Langley location in 1995, I, Dimitrios, Andreas youngest son, worked alongside him in North Vancouver—learning everything I could, helping wherever I was needed, and seeing firsthand how he built and ran the business. When we opened in Langley, I carried those same principles forward. Everything I know about this business—work ethic, standards, and how to treat people—came from him.
He was one of the hardest working people you could ever meet.
He came to Canada with nothing—pennies in his pocket—and started as a dishwasher. He eventually worked at the meat plant in North Vancouver by day, and on the side, he was digging ditches, cutting trees, and taking on the kind of backbreaking manual labor most people wouldn’t touch—doing whatever it took to get ahead. Through hard work, determination, and never backing down, he built a life, a business, a future, and an empire for his family. A true titan.
At 50 years old, when most people start thinking about slowing down, he opened the North Vancouver restaurant and committed to a lifetime grind. And he never really stopped.
Even at 90 years old, he was still there, still working, still pushing, right up until his last stroke.
He didn’t care about titles. If something needed to be done, he was the first one in—hands dirty, knee-deep, leading by example. He wasn’t just a boss. He was a leader.
Through the restaurant, he touched countless lives. He built real relationships—lifelong friendships. Customers became regulars, and regulars became family. He took care of people, and people never forgot that.
At both our North Vancouver and Langley locations, we have staff who have been with us for 20–25+ years. That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a reflection of how he treated people—and what he taught us. Respect, loyalty, and taking care of your team like family.
To us—his kids—he was everything. He built opportunities for us, supported us, put us through university, and made sure we had something to stand on. Everything we have started with him. He had a true heart of gold and would do anything for his family.
Outside of the restaurant, he was the same man. He loved hunting and fishing, working in his garden, and spending time with his friends—playing cards in the back with his old Greek buddies, and the occasional trip to the casino.
Above everything, he loved his family.
Everything this place is today started with him, and it’s something we will continue to carry forward.
From our family to yours—thank you for being part of what he built.
Rest in peace, Dad. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
My Dad passed away peacefully on Friday, April 10th at 2:50pm—on Greek Good Friday. On this sacred day, Jesus brought him home to be with my mother.
There will be a Prayer Service for Andreas on Wednesday April 15th at 7:30 pm at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church 4500 Arbutus Street.
