Originally located at the corner of Techwood Drive and North Avenue, Junior’s was amongst a strip of businesses which included a barbershop and Techwood Theatre. In 1958, brothers-in-law James Klemis and John Chaknis bought the restaurant and The Klemis Family ran the grill at the original location until 1967 when they had to move into the old barbershop. This new location decreased the restaurant
size from 3,000 square feet to 800 square feet and from 60 stools to 28; however, they still managed to serve 800 students a day. In October 1993, after Atlanta had been chosen to host the 1996 Olympic Games, Junior’s was closed and demolished to make way for the Olympic Village (now North Avenue Apartments). Junior’s Grill has been a tradition ever since its doors first opened 62 years ago and the Georgia Tech community was not going to let it die in 1993. After multiple meetings and petitions organized by students, alumni, and staff, renovations of the Bradley Building on the North side of Tech Tower began in order to provide Junior’s with a new home. Junior’s Grill is still located in the Bradley Building today and continues to serve the best food on campus. Junior's Grill is currently located in the Bradley Building, an annex of the Administration Building, that formerly housed a dining hall. The restaurant is now run by the son of Jimmy Klemis, Tommy Klemis, and his friendly staff. On November 19, 1998, Junior's celebrated it's fiftieth anniversary. A "Junior's Grill" sign that was salvaged by Tech students from the demolition of Junior's second location was presented as part of the festivities and the sign is now hanging in the restaurant. As part of the Junior's tradition, the restaurant houses pieces of Tech history including aerial photographs of campus, assorted Georgia Tech memorabilia, portraits of prominent individuals in Tech's history, and a section of the goalpost from Tech's 1990 National Championship game in the Citrus Bowl. At Junior's Grill, students, staff, alumni and fans can enjoy the rich traditions of Georgia Tech along with the "homestyle meals made from scratch." On April 21st, 2011 Junior's Grill closed after being in operation for over 63 years. This site is dedicated to the memory of this Tech tradition and who knows....an outpouring of support among students, alumni, and fans may yet lead to another "resurrection" of Junior's...
