It may be Liza Tsolirides and Brooke Saunders’ first time as restaurant owners, but it’s hardly a new gig for the space they’re taking over. J-K’s Greek Cafe first opened in La Mesa 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.
Its closure happened to fall smack in the middle of Tsolirides’ search for the pair’s first restaurant to open together. They’d known each other for 10 years, working in restaurants like Cucina Urbana, Snooze A.M. Eatery, and Sisters Pizza. Tsolirides says she was casually browsing restaurants for sale online, and when this popped up, “it lit the fuse,” she explains. It felt like fate—she is Greek, after all.
After lots of scrubbing, painting, and getting the 950-square-foot space up to code, the new iteration of J-K’s Greek Cafe will open on Tuesday, August 19 for lunch and dinner. They decided to keep the name as-is after meeting with the original owner’s son, who shared that the initials J-K stand for his father and uncle, Jacob and Kostas.
“My son’s name is Jacob, and my brother’s name was Kostas,” she laughs. “We kept it because we felt like there’s a history to it, and if we change the name, then we’re a whole new restaurant.”
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 will stay—like the roasted chicken, gyros, moussaka, dolmas (both with meat and vegetarian), and souvlaki made with pork, chicken, lamb, and beef. But Tsolirides says they’ll introduce made-from-scratch garlic dip, tzatziki, spicy feta, and beet dips, plus a few more Greek dishes not as common on typical menus.
There was one thing they couldn’t bear to let go of—and it probably isn’t what you’d expect.
“The restaurant had these vintage vinyl pink chairs—they’re kind of like this blush color that you’d find in an old ’50s diner. And from the moment we walked in, we just loved the chairs,” she says. “They don’t fully go with the aesthetic, but they were just something that we just couldn’t take away.”
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.
The new J-K’s 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.
“Once we were here and kind of had a chance to look around, [we thought] ‘Wow, this is a great place to be,’” Tsolirides explains. “After 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.”
J-K’s 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.
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Del Mar Wine + Food Brings Food Network/Top Chef Stars Together San Diego’s Favorite Restaurants
It’s the month ramping up to the third annual Del Mar Wine + Food Festival. Thrillist named it one of the best food festivals in the country—a weeklong celebration 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 honoring classic San Diego restaurants (Dobson’s, Rudford’s, Hodad’s, etc.) with pro soccer team, San Diego FC (Sept. 10) at Monarch Ocean Pub; “Game Changers” dinner with Alex Morgan and chefs from Food Network, Top Chef, plus a James Beard nominee (Sept. 11) under the stars at Fairmont Grand Del Mar; and “Cluckfest”—an after-party hosted by Michael Voltaggio featuring some of the city’s top restaurants, all doing chicken dishes (at the Fairmont Grand as well).
Pali Wine Co. Says There’s Still Plenty of Summer Fun To Be Had
There’s still some summertime left—in fact, local’s summer has barely begun. But if you’re already tired of doing the stingray shuffle at the beach, you can instead head to Pali Wine Co.’s Summer Sessions Backyard Bash 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), Rob Striker (The Friendly), Vanessa Corrales (Michi Michi), Anders Rubini (Paradisaea), and more. Proceeds go to Berry Good Foundation and Zero Foodprint, and yes, there will be plenty of wine as well.
PARTNER CONTENT
Finca
Beth’s Bites
- Barrio Logan is throwing a party to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, and we’re all invited. Barrio Logan Cultura Fest starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 14 and runs until 4 p.m., with plenty of vendors, music, coffee, art, and more in between. (I don’t know about you, but I definitely feel the need to celebrate in solidarity with our Mexican brothers and sisters right around now…)
- If you can’t wait that long for Baja-inspired bites, head to Baja Street Food Fest at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa on Thursday, August 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event in collaboration with Baja Wine + Food is pricey, but curated to a T (think Michelin-level cuisine and plenty beer, cocktails, and wine from the Valle de Guadalupe). Honestly, it sounds like a heck of a party, and you can’t beat the venue.
- Friends of Finca is going in full force, and the first event is already stacked. Dante Romero, who recently became co-owner of The Lion’s Share, will join Finca’s chef/owner Joe Bower for a Porrón Party. What’s a porrón, you might ask? It’s a glass wine pitcher that is certainly not shaped anything like what you could smoke out of (sarcasm) and it’s a fun way to communally drink with friends without swapping cooties. Liquid is generally poured from high up for guaranteed splashing, laughter, and yes, some natural carbonation. Anyway, it’s super fun, and if you’re curious, you should make a reservation for Tuesday, August 26 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
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