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Entrepreneurial dreams are unrealistic until they come true. This is evidenced by the following cases: Thinking GreekA family-owned Greek restaurant in Port St. Lucie, Florida that started as a food truck and went on to win Food Network’s “Best Bites.” The best dish in townGeneral Manager Rosanne Leo attributes the restaurant’s success to its focus on authentic Greek recipes and offering a unique Greek fusion menu.
“We’re first-generation Greek-Americans, so when we started our food truck in 2014, we knew that’s what we wanted to do,” she said. “But… [just] We don’t offer regular Greek food. We wanted to have a fusion menu and come up with different dishes that people have never heard of before.”
when South Beach Wine and Food Festival When they were asked to participate in Think Greek in 2020, the team immediately knew their original fusion dish, gyros pitakia (Greek wontons), would be a hit. Their hunch was right, they earned the title of “Best Dish on the Beach.” Listen to the episode below to hear Leo’s story firsthand.
“It was an incredible feeling because this is something we came up with,” Leo says. “It’s not someone else’s recipe. [us] One day we’ll brainstorm at the food truck.”
The following year, Think Greek won again, cementing its reputation for deliciousness and consistency.
Earlier this year, Think Greek took part in another cooking show, but this time with an even bigger gamble. The Food Network reached out to Leo, The best dish in townSpin-off Diners, Drive-ins and Dives With celebrity chef Guy Fieri.
“It was our dream to be on the Food Network, and more specifically, we wanted to be on Triple D…we were so excited,” Leo said.
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The idea of the show was for Fieri to send the trio to a town and have them each try two dishes from six different local restaurants, ultimately choosing one dish as the “Best Bite” of the town. The dishes were judged based on execution, appearance and taste. Think Greek was selected as Port St. Lucie’s “Best Bite” and in the show’s finale, their gyros pitakia was crowned “Best Bite in Town.”
The judges explained that they had never eaten a dish like gyros pitakia before, which led to Think Greek’s victory. The dish’s innovation and originality set the local restaurant apart and was a great testament to the efforts of this family-run business.
“We’ve worked hard, put in energy, brainstormed, and realized that it’s all working out and paying off,” Leo says. “In a family-run or independently owned business, sometimes you can feel a little overlooked and disheartened, but when we hear that our efforts aren’t being ignored, it really gives us the energy to keep working.”
RELATED: Guy Fieri is insanely busy. Here’s how he juggles it all.
New attention from TV programs and Increased media awareness She received a lot of comments from her customers and viewers. Leo says that sometimes it gets overwhelming to scroll through social media to see the latest feedback. She decided to take it one day at a time and make space for both the positive and negative comments. Critical review.
“You can’t please everyone, and that’s okay. Some comments are not so nice, and that’s okay,” Leo says. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. All I know is that we do our best and serve the food we serve in a way that is true to ourselves.”
Leo’s willingness to take risks and take big chances, including appearing on television shows, helped elevate the Think Greek brand, and her tenacity helped establish the restaurant over time. Good reputation.
Her advice to business owners aspiring to achieve this success is to stick to your creative endeavors and values, and use social media to engage with your audience and get feedback to improve your operations. She also encourages business owners to believe in themselves and what they can achieve.
“Sometimes it’s hard to believe,” she says, “but you shouldn’t say it’s impossible. Anything is possible. There will be days when you feel like giving up, but keep going because this is your baby. This is your dream. This is your chance to prove yourself.”
For over a decade, Think Greek has provided simple but critical tools for success.
- When the opportunity comes, seize it. Taking part in local festivals and competitions can help raise your profile and lead to bigger opportunities down the line. Being willing to try new things can catapult your business into fresh and exciting areas.
- Embrace innovation and differentiate yourself. Innovating your products and services can help differentiate your business and attract customers looking for new experiences. Create your own niche It helps customers choose you over your competitors.
- Feedback is important, but don’t get put off by negative comments. Receiving criticism can be tough and requires patience. Realizing that you can’t please everyone will help you focus your efforts on the things you know you do well or can improve upon.
Subscribe to Behind the Review to read more posts from new business owners and reviewers every Thursday. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pandora and Soundcloud.
Editorial contributions by Angela Lee and Christy Lindahl
This article is part of our ongoing “America’s Favorite Mom & Pop Shops™” series showcasing family-owned businesses.
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