Getting Greek on the Ave

For almost 35 years, the Lagos family has been serving the University district with tastes of their hometown Vitalo on the Greek island of Evia.  Stop in for a bite, and you are sure to see at least one member of the Lagos family bringing out food, cleaning tables, or getting drinks; whatever needs to be done to ensure the comfort their patrons.

George Lagos, brought his family to America in 1967 and settled in the Lynnwood area.  A few years later, in 1974, he bought half of the restaurant which at the time was more of a bakery and deli.  Two years later he bought out his partner and began turning the small specialty shop into a restaurant.  Cooking the way he did at home, George developed a menu that has continued to grow over the years.

His kids were raised in the restaurant to some extent.  When not in school, they were often helping out and learning the trade.  As they grew older their involvement increased, and George’s eldest son Demetre began to take a more active role in the operation of The Continental.  His father retired last year and Demetre is now the sole proprietor of the community restaurant.

Demetre’s kids, a 26 year old son and two daughters, 23 and 20, were also raised in the restaurant, working alongside their grandparents, parents, aunt and uncle.

 ”Over the years this place has kind of been our Rock of Gibraltar,” Demetre said.  “The restaurant has been like a house, where we meet and have family time; all of us.”

Though his brother and sister don’t work in the restaurant (both now teach at Universities), they are often seen helping out.  “This may be the only place where you can see two P.h.D’s cleaning tables at the same time,” Demetre said.  

As well as being extremely family oriented,  the Lagos family has a strong sense of community.  They buy all of their produce and meats locally and pride themselves on making everything from scratch with no preservatives.  Demetre cuts his own meat and makes his own sausage.  “Food is better when you know what’s in it,” he said laughing.

One of the ways they stay so connected is by hosting language groups.  Almost each night, at least one group of people from the community (many students) meet at the restaurant to converse in a given language.  There is no obligation to buy anything and no fee to join.  Demetre just feels privileged that he is able to provide a place for people in the community to come together.

“We try to give a little of ourselves into the community,” he said.  “It’s very important.  Business is business and we do what we can, but community is more important.  We are blessed to be here.”

You can check out the language groups at http://language.stammtisch.us

Check out The Continental.  The warm and welcoming atmosphere is refreshing, and the food is delicious as well; make sure to try the saganaki.

This Blog

It is often said that every city has a story,though it’s probably more accurate to say that every city is made up of a multitude of stories.  Our city, Seattle, is no different.  Millions of stories give the city its character and vibe.  I intend to tell some of those stories on this blog.

Seattle has a reputation for its food scene, specifically its wide variety of options.  Some of the best food can be found in small restaurants owned and operated by an individual or a family, not a large corporation or franchisee.  And while the food at these eateries may be what brought you there, there is a much more in-depth, and probably more interesting, story behind what brought the restaurant there in the first place.

With each post, I will tell the story behind one of such restaurants; some of Seattle’s favorites as well as her hidden jems.  I’ll try and tell you how the place came into being and how the owner learned about food, as well as what their life is like as an owner/operator of an independent Seattle restaurant.  Hopefully after reading these stories, the experience at these establishments will extend beyond what is on your plate.