The Mohawk Valley got its first taste of authentic Greek cuisine in 1973 when the doors to Symeon’s Greek Restaurant were opened. Symeon Tsoupelis and his wife, Ann, were the first to establish a restaurant on Oneida Street in the city of Utica, near the Parkway intersection. The building seated about twenty guests! While Symeon operated the restaurant, Ann was busy at home crafting all the desserts and being a full-time mother to two young children.

 

In 1982, Symeon and Ann purchased their current Commercial Drive property in Yorkville—formerly Riley’s Place and Goetz’s Diner. In 2001, Symeon sold the business to his youngest son, Symeon Jr. and his wife, Shelli, who now continue to carry the success of the business. Symeon Jr. says, “The legacy is that we are a business that has done well, our customers and the community respect us, and we continually give back. My parents always taught us that it’s better to be in the giving line than in the receiving line.”

This month marks the 50th Anniversary of Symeon’s Greek Restaurant and the Tsoupelis’ invite devoted customers, as well as those new to Greek food, to join their team for a Greek Cuisine Celebration. The restaurant is located at 4941 Commercial Drive, Yorkville and is open every day. More information and the menu can be found at www.Symeons.com.

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