Opa! Yorgos Lancaster

Lancaster County is home to a sizeable population whose members trace their roots to Greece. While they are extremely proud of their homeland, Lancaster’s Greek families have given back to their adopted community through their church and by emphasizing the importance of education and hard work to their children. As a result, many members of the succeeding generations have gone on to become doctors, lawyers and business owners. Nowhere is the latter more evident than in Lancaster’s hospitality industry, as many restaurants are owned by families with Greek surnames. 

George and Ekaterina Katsaros are two such Lancastrians. Married for 48 years, the two met when George was in the military and served a stint on the island of Kos, where Ekaterina lived. After marriage, the two set their goals on moving to the United States. Ekaterina arrived first, as she had a brother in Lancaster, who could sponsor her. “The only word I knew in English was ‘hello,’” she recalls. That drawback limited her career opportunities. So, she became a dishwasher in a restaurant.

George had been involved in the restaurant business since the age of 14. “I was a busboy, a server, a cook,” he says. Upon arriving in the United States, it became George’s dream to own a restaurant. Biding his time, he supported his family (two sons and a daughter) through factory work and tending the landscaping at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Eventually, he added ownership of a small diner to his résumé. However, bigger things were coming their way.

Downtown Lancaster had been home to a popular restaurant named Zimmerman’s since 1959. After 30 years, its owner, Earl Zimmerman, was ready to retire. George and Ekaterina bought the business, initially maintaining the Zimmerman name, as well as the menu and staff. In 2007 they took the first step in making it their own by changing the menus (adding a few Greek favorites, including dishes prepared by Ekaterina) and remodeling the first floor. They also changed the name of the establishment to Yorgos Restaurant & Lounge. (Yorgo is the Greek version of George.)

Ah, but the family wasn’t quite finished. In 2017, they took on a much more ambitious project and created a fine dining room on the second floor they named Kefi, which showcases Greek cuisine, with many of the dishes prepared using favorite family recipes, as well as those devised by restaurant staff.

On the third floor, they created an events space that is complemented by a rooftop deck. The project also saw the kitchen be relocated to the basement level of the building (an elevator facilitates access to the upper floors), and more upgrades made to the first floor to create a pub-like atmoshere. Finally, the building was whitewashed, and its front entryway replaced by glass. Blue lights enliven the entrance. With the white backdrop, the color scheme pays homage to the Greek flag.

George shares that first-time visitors are often surprised by the bold and tangy flavors that Greek food delivers. “The secret to Greek food is lemon,” he says. Another is olive oil, which is used in nearly every dish. “We go through 200 pounds of olive oil every week,” he reports. Greek food also epitomizes healthy eating due to its emphasis on seafood, fresh vegetables and fruit, herbs, whole grains and, of course, olive oil.    

Another element that sets Greek food apart can be explained by its diversity. Over time, Greek food was influenced by its neighbors in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Balkan states and even northern Africa. Because of those influences, regional foodways were established.

While sons Tony and Gus are assuming more responsibilities at Yorgos, George remains a fixture at the restaurant. “I’m here eight hours a day,” he says. “I love my business and I love the United States. It’s the best country in the world!” Still, he and his family treasure their trips back to Greece.

66 North Queen Street, Lancaster
Details: Yorgoslancaster.com