Georgia Stathoulis has been welcoming customers for more than 40 years to Georgia’s Greek Cuisine, and she credits her clientele for keeping her restaurant and second home afloat in Midway during the long pandemic.

“I actually survived COVID because of my regular customers,” noted Stathoulis, about her restaurant at 3550 Rosecrans St. “It was very tough.”

During the pandemic, the restaurateur said her customers “kept me alive. It was amazing how they responded.”

In the winter months, when Georgia’s Greek Cuisine had to serve outside, Georgia said her customers “gave me heaters from their backyards.” She added, “I’m very blessed.”

Born and raised in Pyrgos, Greece, Georgia moved with her family to the United States at age 15 to seek better opportunities. She came to San Diego via Albuquerque where she met her husband Dennis. “I came to visit and I ended up staying,” noted Georgia of her time in New Mexico adding, “I love this country very much.”

Stathoulis, however, still misses Greece. She added she dreams of returning to her homeland again some day with her husband and daughters.

Raised on a farm with all kinds of animals that grew black raisins, wine grapes, and olives, Georgia prides herself on her heritage. “The Greek people are very strong and passionate at the same time; we love life,” she pointed out.

Georgia and Dennis moved to San Diego in the mid-’70s because the ocean reminded her of her homeland. They started Georgia’s Greek Cuisine in 1977 on Madison Avenue in North Park. The restaurant moved to Midway in 1992, in a mall that once housed a hotel complex. “It was a good corner and the area is much busier now with a lot of activity going on always,” said Georgia. She noted their restaurant has since thrived cooking delicious healthy meals, just like in Greece, for both lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

Georgia’s family in Greece was not in the restaurant business. But Georgia recalled, “My mom was a great cook.”

Georgia has continued that family tradition. “I still do a lot of my own cooking,” she confided. “We cook every day, marinate our meats every day for the skewers. I use a lot of fresh herbs in my cooking. I have a lot of Greek fresh salads. We have the best lamb chops here. I decided to keep the most traditional Greek plates on the menu.”

Georgia’s Greek Cuisine has been one of San Diego’s favorite Greek restaurants since 1977. The family-owned and operated eatery prepares all of its authentic Greek cuisines with the freshest ingredients, including recipes that come directly from Greece. Guests can dine in or take out enjoying Greek favorites like beef, chicken, or lamb kebab, gyros, mousaka, and spanakopita.

Has business bounced back now that the worst of COVID appears to be over?

“It’s bounced back mostly,” said Georgia. “But we’re still facing a lot of (rising) food costs. Meat has become more expensive. And gas is going up (in price). A lot of my stuff comes from L.A. (adding transport cost).”

It’s all been worth it, though, concluded Georgia Stathoulis.

“I love my restaurant,” she said. “People love me and I love them. It’s kind of a family affair here.”

Georgia’s Greek Cuisine

Where: 3550 Rosecrans St.

Contact: georgiasgreekcuisine.com, 619-523-1007.

What: Custom catering available for groups up to 300. Delivery available. Happy hour Mondays through Fridays 4-6 p.m. Reservations are not required but suggested for groups of six or more. Reserved patio space is available for 30-to-50 people.