Latest news with #ChrysChrys
Eater
3 days ago
- Business
- Eater
The Saddest Restaurant Closures to Know in Los Angeles, May 2025
Los Angeles's restaurants continue to face difficult headwinds, starting in 2020 with the onset of a global pandemic and exacerbating with the Hollywood labor strikes in 2023 , which led to an industry-wide slowdown that's continued into 2025. From the lingering impacts of the Hollywood strikes to adverse weather and increased costs (labor, rent, ingredients, etc.), many variables continue to batter restaurant owners who operate on razor-thin margins. Los Angeles restaurants also continue to struggle with the impact from the 2025 fires , including slow business and devastating property loss. Here are notable restaurant closures for May. For more closure news, visit our 2024 round-up . Papa Cristo's— After 77 years on the corner of Pico and Normandie, legendary Los Angeles Greek restaurant and market Papa Cristo's closed permanently on May 4. LAist reports that owner Chrys Chrys pointed to rising rent costs as the ultimate reason for the closure. Sam Chrys, Chrys's father, first opened C & K Importing Company in 1948 to bring food and wine over from Greece to offer to the Los Angeles community, which later became Papa Cristo's. Over the years, Papa Cristo's became an essential part of Los Angeles's restaurant scene, feeding generations of those looking for a taste of the Aegean. Gigi's— Upscale Hollywood French restaurant Gigi's closed on May 10 after nearly five years. The restaurant opened in November 2020 in Hollywood's Sycamore Avenue corridor alongside Tartine and Sightglass Coffee. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant was only able to offer outdoor dining at first, but later opened its 60-seat dining room. The menu channeled bistro classics infused with California sensibilities, with dishes like endive salad, steak tartare, escargot, and braised short rib. Guido's— Guido's, a longstanding Sawtelle red sauce Italian restaurant, is closing on May 31 after 46 years. Open since 1979, the restaurant is well known for its old-school charm, tuxedoed servers, and red leather booths. The restaurant specializes in Italian classics, serving sizable portions of Italian classics like eggplant Parmigiana, spaghetti Bolognese, and chicken picatta. Mars— Hollywood cocktail bar Mars, which was located behind Mother Wolf, closed in April 2025. The bar first opened in January 2024 with a $5,000 per year membership that came with a personal spirits locker, priority seating, and invitations to special events. The bar has been replaced with La Ola, a new Roman-inspired cocktail lounge from acclaimed chef Evan Funke and Giancarlo Pagani, the managing partner of Mother Wolf Group. Checo's Seafood 106 Underground— Inglewood seafood restaurant Checo's Seafood 106 Underground closed on May 1 after a year open. Operated by chef Sergio 'Checo' Peñuelas, who is known as the 'Snook Whisperer,' Checo's served camaron tacos, aguachiles, and pescado zarandeado. Peñuelas first rose to prominence when the late Jonathan Gold wrote highly of his cooking in an LA Weekly review of Coni'Seafood in 2011. Sign up for our newsletter.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Owner of Papa Cristo's, beloved LA restaurant, opens about decision to close after 77 years
The Brief Beloved Greek restaurant, Papa Cristo, is saying goodbye after 77 years. The restaurant is located in LA's Pico-Union neighborhood. The owner said his decision comes after a "rent dispute." LOS ANGELES - Longstanding Greek restaurant Papa Cristo's, which has been serving the Los Angeles community and beyond for the past 77 years, is permanently closing its doors in May. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Papa Cristo's, iconic LA Greek restaurant, permanently closing after 77 years in business What we know The owner of Papa Cristo's, Chrys Chrys, opened up about the upcoming closure, saying it is because of a "rent dispute." However, he said they will still continue operations through his two daughters with deliveries. Chrys Chrys said the restaurant is about more than the delicious cuisine; it's also about the family atmosphere. The restaurant was founded by Chrys Chrys' father, Sam Chrys, along with his wife, Annie. It opened at the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Normandie Avenue in the historic Byzantine-Latino quarter in October 1948. In announcing the news, Chrys Chrys expressed thanks to the longtime customers of the beloved Greek eatery over the years."I have been blessed to carry on my father's legacy as C&K Importing and Papa Cristo's grew into a place where flavors, friendships, families and memories came together under one roof." Papa Cristo's becomes one of the latest restaurants to close its doors in LA. SUGGESTED COVERAGE: Guido's in LA's Westside is closing Original Pantry Cafe: Employees, union workers continue fighting to preserve iconic LA diner Iconic Burbank restaurant Chili John's in danger of closing after 79 years The Source Information from interviews with the owner of Papa Cristo's.
CBS News
10-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Beloved Papa Cristos restaurant to close after 77 years in Pico-Union
Papa Cristos, a beloved Greek restaurant in Pico-Union, will close its doors next month after 77 years in business. "This is more than heartbreaking. I grew up here," owner Chrys Chrys. "I was coming in here as a little boy. I've been in an apron working here for 65 years — this is my life. Now, here we go, we are going to cut it off." Chrys said he's closing the restaurant because of the rising costs. "We want to stay here forever," he said. "The neighborhood is becoming more expensive. Rents and values have taken us out." As word spread about Papa Cristos' closure, loyal customers came by to say their goodbyes, forming lines that went out the door. "We're happy. We've had the pleasure of knowing and coming here for over 40 years," customer Tony Lama said. Customers stocked up on olive oil, Greek pasta, Baklava and Papa Cristos' special spices. "I can't stand the idea he's not going to be here anymore," customer Roger Allers said. "I want there to be some way to save this." Chrys' daughter Annie Kolber flew in from Chicago to help her dad in the final weeks. "My grandfather started the market from this wall to this wall in 1948," Kolber said. "Anything beyond that, that's all been my dad. He took this over in his 20s and built this cultural center, if you will, in the center of LA." Chrys is turning 80 soon and wants to spend time with his grandkids. He said Papa Cristos had a good run. "I'm not leaving anything behind," he said. "The spirit of this place will endure forever." While this may be the end of the storefront, the family is figuring out a way for their food and products to live on. "We don't know what it's going to be," Chrys said. "We can't leave you by yourselves. We are here for you. We love you."
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Papa Cristo's, iconic LA Greek restaurant, permanently closing after 77 years in business
LOS ANGELES - Longstanding Greek restaurant Papa Cristo's, which has been serving the Los Angeles community and beyond for the past 77 years, is permanently closing its doors. What we know Chrys Chrys, the son of Papa Cristo's founder Sam Chrys, shared the sad news in a Facebook post on April 3. The restaurant will close on May 4. The backstory The family-run business was founded by Sam Chrys, with his wife Annie by his side. The restaurant first opened its doors on the corner of Pico and Normandie in October 1948. SUGGESTED: Olive Garden loses its spot as top US casual dining restaurant after 7 years: report The Greek landmark serves traditional and authentic Greek homestyle dishes like "the ones your grandmother used to make." Popular dishes among Yelpers include the Papa Cristo's chili, lamb chops, and gyro sandwich. What they're saying In announcing the news, Chrys Chrys expressed thanks to the longtime customers of the beloved Greek eatery over the years. "I have been blessed to carry on my father's legacy as C&K Importing and Papa Cristo's grew into a place where flavors, friendships, families and memories came together under one roof." SUGGESTED: Hooters files for bankruptcy, plans sale of all company-owned restaurants "After 77 unforgettable years on the corner of Pico and Normandie, it's time for me to hang up my apron and for us to say goodbye (for now). On May 4, 2025, we will close this chapter with our hearts full of love and gratitude for the incredible community that has supported us for generations." "To all of our cherished customers and devoted staff, I say ευχαριστώ (thank you!). You are my family, and Papa Cristo's will always be a part of yours." What's next Further plans were not announced, but Chrys ended the message with an air of mystery. SUGGESTED: Original Pantry Cafe: Employees, union workers continue fighting to preserve iconic LA diner "P.S. The story of Papa Cristo's doesn't end here—exciting things are coming," he wrote. The Source Information for this story is from a Facebook post by Papa Cristo's on April 3, 2025.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Super Bowl Snack Attack: L.A.'s Best Bites for Game Day
_YOU'D PROBABLY BE lucky to get a bowl of Chex Mix if you attended a house party for the first Super Bowl, held in L.A. in 1967. Today, some hosts knock themselves out, spending days preparing vast spreads of homemade treats or building miniature stadiums out of cardboard and chazerai. 'Super Bowl is usually chips and salsa,' says Chrys Chrys of Papa Cristo's, the legendary Greek restaurant and market that anchors the city's Byzantine-Latino Quarter. 'But then you've got people who want to show respect to their guests and show them a nice party.'We won't tell anyone if you substitute some of these takeout treasures in place of a scratch-made spread. All of it will likely be gone before Compton's own Kendrick Lamar takes the stage at halftime. And the beef from Baby Blues BBQ ain't gonna start a feud with Drake._ Jameson's Pub WITH LOCATIONS in Hollywood, Santa Monica and Culver City, Jameson's Pub is not only a packed spot for Super Bowl watching, it's also a great place for takeout bites. The pub is famous for its mouth-watering prime rib sliders, which is our pick no matter what team you root for. » Multiple locations, Ggiata Delicatessen FIVE NEW JERSEY expats decided to recreate their favorite Italian deli experience in L.A. with Ggiata. Their Ultimate Game Day Feast includes lemon garlic parm wings, honey buffalo wings and hot habanero wings, plus buttermilk tenders with sweet jalapeño ranch. Add on their indulgent limoncello olive oil cake or homemade chocolate chip cookies and you'll be the MVP of your party. » Multiple locations, Papa Cristo's THREE GENERATIONS OF the Chrys family have been serving up Greek specialties at Papa Cristo's. 'Our kebab bar works very well for a nice party,' says owner Chrys Chrys. 'You get a choice of either lamb, chicken, beef or falafel; a bowl of tzatziki; hummus; hot pita; and cold pita. It's a whole spread.' » 2771 W. Pico Blvd., Pico-Union, Baby Blues BBQ AFTER A DEVASTATING fire at their Venice location in 2022, Baby Blues BBQ on Lincoln Boulevard is back and better than ever. This BBQ emporium has been a favorite for grill fanatics, and now's the time to place Super Bowl orders. There is no beating the family platter — a delectable mix of a half-rack of baby back ribs and a half-rack of Memphis-style ribs — or any meat combo with two sides and dream-worthy cornbread. » 444 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, El Cholo THE ORIGINAL EL CHOLO in Harvard Heights had already been serving up their famous tamales for decades when the first Super Bowl was played at the L.A. Coliseum in 1967. Bring home their Tailgate Special, a combo for 10 guests that includes two quarts of fresh guacamole, bountiful chips and a gallon of their famous margaritas — that's two for everybody! » Multiple locations, Taste L.A.'s Best! From iconic restaurants to hidden gems, discover the top dining experiences with LAMag's Food Newsletter. Subscribe below or by clicking here.
