09/11/2026
This week, Chrys laid his father, Michael Panagiotis Kefalas, to rest.
Known to generations of family, friends and guests as Mr. Mike, Uncle Mike and Michalis, Michael was born in Greece and spent more than half a century in the restaurant business at Costas Inn in Baltimore. He was the kind of person people remembered for how he treated them, with kindness, respect and dignity. He welcomed people warmly, took care of them, and never needed attention or credit for doing it.
Michael passed away on August 22 at 80 years old, on the beach in Arkasa, the village on Karpathos where “Papou” was born and a place that inspires so much of the heart and love behind Yala Greek Ice Cream.
It was through trips back to these islands, where his father and grandfather were from, that Chrys first learned to love the style of ice cream he would one day bring to Washington. And in his father’s way of welcoming and caring for people, he saw an example of hospitality worth carrying forward.
So tomorrow, at 5 PM at our Georgetown shop, we’d like to remember Mr. Mike the way we think he’d appreciate most: by treating people.
The first 80 guests who visit Yala Greek Ice Cream in Georgetown beginning at 5 p.m. will receive a mikro ice cream on us. Any flavor. No purchase necessary.
80 years. 80 ice creams.
This one’s on Mr. Mike.
