A Decade and a Half of Dimitri’s

Where do Ridgefielders go for their favorite burgers and fries and the best chicken souvlaki in town? Dimitri’s Diner has been the spot for the last 15 years. The local landmark celebrated that anniversary last week by festooning its front and rear facades with balloon arches.

“We have Greek, Mediterranean, Arabic and Mexican foods in addition to American food," restaurant manager Kosta Mavridis said. "The most popular dishes are the chicken souvlaki, the gyros, and kofta kebabs. It’s a nice family place, so many Ridgefield families come regularly.”

In addition to their ever-popular Greek dishes, the extensive menu at Dimitri's covers breakfast, lunch and dinner and features traditional fare such as pancakes, eggs, salads and sandwiches as well as more exotic fare like Chicken a la Greco and Mexican Camarones al Carbon (a shrimp dish) plus a new pizza menu including options with whole wheat crusts.

On a recent visit, we were plied with free chips and salsa after taking our seats in a booth in the bright, clean restaurant. Our meals arrived quickly and were warm and fresh. It was hard to believe that the Mediterranean fresh vegetables from the Healthy Menu contained just 390 calories. The tomatoes, mixed peppers, zucchini, carrot, portobello mushrooms, feta and sesame seeds were complemented nicely by a brown merlot sauce. The mozzarella and tomato panino was crisp and hearty—a sort-of folded pita rather than the traditional crusty loaf bread.

When asked about the most important happening at Dimitri's in the last 15 years, Mavridis answered unequivocally that it was the expansion that doubled the size of the restaurant ten years ago.

In the summer—when the indoor dining rooms and outdoor patio tables are full—the unassuming restaurant can seat 220 diners.

The restaurant expanded in response to customer requests for the creation of a dining room especially for families. The two dining rooms allow adults to chat quietly in one area while families can be as jovial as they like in the other.

“But honestly,” Mavridis said, “sometimes the adults are louder than the kids.”

Dimitri’s is that kind of place, though. It fosters genial conversation and the desire to linger, to chat with friends and family or even with the friendly servers.

Mavridis believes that the restaurant remains popular because of its “fast service, clean facility and very good food—plus, we love our customers,” he said.