{"id":148935,"date":"2025-08-15T22:28:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T22:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/148935\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T22:28:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T22:28:12","slug":"40-year-old-greek-cafe-in-la-mesa-revived-by-new-owners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/148935\/","title":{"rendered":"40-Year Old Greek Cafe in La Mesa Revived by New Owners"},"content":{"rendered":"

It may be Liza Tsolirides and Brooke Saunders\u2019 first time as restaurant owners, but it\u2019s hardly a new gig for the space they\u2019re taking over. J-K\u2019s Greek Cafe<\/a> first opened in La Mesa<\/a> about 40 years ago, offering standard Greek dishes like gyros, salads, and the like. But since closing its doors in 2024, La Mesans and Greek-food lovers wondered what would happen to the diminutive, but beloved restaurant.<\/p>\n

Its closure happened to fall smack in the middle of Tsolirides\u2019 search for the pair\u2019s first restaurant to open together. They\u2019d known each other for 10 years, working in restaurants like Cucina Urbana<\/a>, Snooze A.M. Eatery, and Sisters Pizza<\/a>. Tsolirides says she was casually browsing restaurants for sale online, and when this popped up, \u201cit lit the fuse,\u201d she explains. It felt like fate\u2014she is Greek, after all.<\/p>\n

\"NewCourtesy of Liza Tsolirides<\/p>\n

After lots of scrubbing, painting, and getting the 950-square-foot space up to code, the new iteration of J-K\u2019s Greek Cafe will open on Tuesday, August 19<\/a> for lunch and dinner. They decided to keep the name as-is after meeting with the original owner\u2019s son, who shared that the initials J-K stand for his father and uncle, Jacob and Kostas.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son\u2019s name is Jacob, and my brother\u2019s name was Kostas,\u201d she laughs. \u201cWe kept it because we felt like there\u2019s a history to it, and if we change the name, then we\u2019re a whole new restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some things will change (guests will be able to see out the front windows, for one), but much of that original essence will remain. Some classic menu items<\/a> will stay\u2014like the roasted chicken, gyros, moussaka, dolmas (both with meat and vegetarian), and souvlaki made with pork, chicken, lamb, and beef. But Tsolirides says they\u2019ll introduce made-from-scratch garlic dip, tzatziki, spicy feta, and beet dips, plus a few more Greek dishes not as common on typical menus.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"KebabsCourtesy of DoorDash<\/p>\n

There was one thing they couldn\u2019t bear to let go of\u2014and it probably isn\u2019t what you\u2019d expect.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe restaurant had these vintage vinyl pink chairs\u2014they\u2019re kind of like this blush color that you\u2019d find in an old \u201950s diner. And from the moment we walked in, we just loved the chairs,\u201d she says. \u201cThey don\u2019t fully go with the aesthetic<\/a>, but they were just something that we just couldn\u2019t take away.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rest of the vibe reads taverna near a Greek beach rather than the typical blue and white color scheme, but since the restaurant only fits around six tables, Tsolirides says they anticipate doing a lot of takeout.<\/p>\n

\"NewCourtesy of Liza Tsolirides<\/p>\n

The new J-K\u2019s hopes to revive a beloved gathering space with new life, and with new friends in a changing neighborhood. As members of the LGBTQ community, they were pleasantly surprised by the welcome they felt from the locals.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce we were here and kind of had a chance to look around, [we thought] \u2018Wow, this is a great place to be,\u2019\u201d Tsolirides explains. \u201cAfter a while, and after a lot of support from people in the neighborhood, we realized that we wanted to actually be as open and authentic as we could possibly be. So, yeah, so it feels really good.\u201d<\/p>\n

J-K\u2019s Greek Cafe re-opens at 7749 University Avenue in La Mesa on Tuesday, August 19. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"FoodPhoto Credit: Kimberly Motos<\/p>\n

San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events<\/p>\n

Del Mar Wine + Food Brings Food Network\/Top Chef Stars Together San Diego\u2019s Favorite Restaurants<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the month ramping up to the third annual Del Mar Wine + Food Festival<\/a>. Thrillist named it one of the best food festivals in the country\u2014a weeklong celebration<\/a> of San Diego food and drink culture. The Grand Tasting is the 100-plus chef event on the grass in Del Mar, the big show (September 13 and 14). Three dinners and parties you should check out through the week: Opening Night rooftop party<\/a> honoring classic San Diego restaurants (Dobson\u2019s, Rudford\u2019s, Hodad\u2019s, etc.) with pro soccer team, San Diego FC (Sept. 10) at Monarch Ocean Pub; \u201cGame Changers\u201d dinner with Alex Morgan<\/a> and chefs from Food Network, Top Chef, plus a James Beard nominee (Sept. 11) under the stars at Fairmont Grand Del Mar; and \u201cCluckfest\u201d\u2014an after-party hosted by Michael Voltaggio <\/a>featuring some of the city\u2019s top restaurants, all doing chicken dishes (at the Fairmont Grand as well).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pali Wine Co. Says There\u2019s Still Plenty of Summer Fun To Be Had<\/p>\n

There\u2019s still some summertime left\u2014in fact, local\u2019s summer has barely begun. But if you\u2019re already tired of doing the stingray shuffle at the beach, you can instead head to Pali Wine Co.\u2019s Summer Sessions Backyard Bash<\/a> on Sunday, August 24. The ticketed event runs from noon to 3 p.m. with wine pairings and plates made by guest chefs like Ashley McBrady (Cellar Hand<\/a>), Rob Striker (The Friendly), Vanessa Corrales (Michi Michi<\/a>), Anders Rubini (Paradisaea<\/a>), and more. Proceeds go to Berry Good Foundation<\/a> and Zero Foodprint<\/a>, and yes, there will be plenty of wine as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

PARTNER CONTENT<\/p>\n


\n \"Guide
\n Guide to Aging Well 2025
\n <\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"Summer
\n Summer Escapes Guide 2025
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

\"InteriorPhoto Credit: James Tran
Finca<\/p>\n

Beth\u2019s Bites<\/p>\n