Smoke House Steak & Seafood Restaurant: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "'''Smoke House Steak & Seafood Restaurant''' is a former meat-and-three restaurant which was located at 348 Finley Avenue West in Birmingham's Thomas neighborhood from the 1950s to December 2023. Theo Hontzas and Pete Gerontakis bought the business in 1960. Gerontakis retired and sold his share in 1990. Theo's son Pete began working at the restaurant when he was 10 and later took over as manager. In [...")
 
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'''Smoke House Steak & Seafood Restaurant''' is a former meat-and-three restaurant which was located at 348 [[Finley Avenue West]] in [[Birmingham]]'s [[Thomas neighborhood|Thomas]] neighborhood from the 1950s to December [[2023]].
'''Smoke House Steak & Seafood Restaurant''' is a former meat-and-three restaurant which was located at 348 [[Finley Avenue West]] in [[Birmingham]]'s [[Thomas neighborhood|Thomas]] neighborhood from the 1950s to December [[2023]].


[[Theo Hontzas]] and [[Pete Gerontakis]] bought the business in [[1960]]. Gerontakis retired and sold his share in [[1990]]. Theo's son [[Pete Hontzas|Pete]] began working at the restaurant when he was 10 and later took over as manager.
The Smoke House opened in the 1950s as a short-order grill and bar. After a year working with his brother, [[Gus Hontzas|Gus]] at the nearby [[Niki's West]], [[Theo Hontzas]] purchased the business with partner [[Pete Gerontakis]] in [[1960]].
 
The new owners closed the bar and added daily specials and fresh vegetables, sourced from the nearby [[Alabama Farmers Market]]. to stock the cafeteria line. Steaks and Greek-style specialties were available from the menu. For most of its life the restaurant was open 24 hours, but gradually shed its evening hours to focus on breakfast and lunch.
 
Gerontakis retired and sold his share in [[1990]]. Theo's son [[Pete Hontzas|Pete]] began working at the restaurant when he was 10 and later took over as manager.


In [[2007]] the Hontzeses retired and leased the business to another operator, but after five years they came back and resumed their roles as owner and manager. Theo Hontzas closed the restaurant when he retired at age 90 in [[2023]].
In [[2007]] the Hontzeses retired and leased the business to another operator, but after five years they came back and resumed their roles as owner and manager. Theo Hontzas closed the restaurant when he retired at age 90 in [[2023]].


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==References==
* Evans, Amy (March 12, 2004) "[https://www.southernfoodways.org/wp-content/uploads/birmingham_smokehouse.pdf The Smoke House]." oral history interview with Theo Hontzas. Southern Foodways Alliance
* Taylor, Drew (December 11, 2023) "[https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/smokehouse-steak-and-seafood-closing-after-63-years-in-birmingham/ Smokehouse Steak and Seafood closing after 63 years in Birmingham]." CBS42.com
[[Category:Former restaurants]]
[[Category:Former restaurants]]
[[Category:Greek-owned restaurants]]
[[Category:Finley Avenue]]
[[Category:Finley Avenue]]
[[Category:1950s establishments]]
[[Category:1950s establishments]]
[[Category:2023 disestablishments]]
[[Category:2023 disestablishments]]

Latest revision as of 16:23, 13 December 2023

Smoke House Steak & Seafood Restaurant is a former meat-and-three restaurant which was located at 348 Finley Avenue West in Birmingham's Thomas neighborhood from the 1950s to December 2023.

The Smoke House opened in the 1950s as a short-order grill and bar. After a year working with his brother, Gus at the nearby Niki's West, Theo Hontzas purchased the business with partner Pete Gerontakis in 1960.

The new owners closed the bar and added daily specials and fresh vegetables, sourced from the nearby Alabama Farmers Market. to stock the cafeteria line. Steaks and Greek-style specialties were available from the menu. For most of its life the restaurant was open 24 hours, but gradually shed its evening hours to focus on breakfast and lunch.

Gerontakis retired and sold his share in 1990. Theo's son Pete began working at the restaurant when he was 10 and later took over as manager.

In 2007 the Hontzeses retired and leased the business to another operator, but after five years they came back and resumed their roles as owner and manager. Theo Hontzas closed the restaurant when he retired at age 90 in 2023.

References