Acropol Family Restaurant: Where Everyone Knows Your Name

Walk into for the first time and you'll get a sense of having been there before. The atmosphere bustles with comforting scenes. Hanging plants line the entrance and waitresses almost instantly acknowledge you with a smile while they grab menus to seat you at your favorite section.

If there's a line of customers, it doesn't last for long, and it gives you a chance to say hi to the staff and check out the day's white board specials. Depending on the time of day, you'll see booths of families laughing and enjoying an evening meal, young couples stopping in for a hearty lunch and professionals talking business.

It's a family restaurant and if you become a regular,  to quote a famous line from the "Cheers" television show theme song, everyone will know your name.

"They're my family," said owner Gary Stavrakos of his customers. "I have couples who come in every morning and sit next to the register and talk to me. Their families are up north. We're their family down here. And they're my family. I care about them."

Stavrakos understands the sense of community. He and his staff know regular customers by name, and they treat newcomers as friends they haven't met yet. He contributes to local fundraisers, donating gift certificates to some of the surrounding community organizations and sponsoring sports teams. He's sponsored Dunedin Little League and Largo United Soccer at different times over the last several years.

Sponsor recognition plaques line the wall by the kitchen, but he doesn't boast about his involvement.

"I like to help the community. But they help me, too. The community keeps my restaurant going ... we help each other," Stavrakos said.

He installed Wi-Fi in his restaurant a week ago, as he thought his customers would like to have it.

"Everyone has iPods, iPads [and electronics]. I just wanted to do it for them," Stavrakos said.

Stavrakos opened the Acropol Family Restaurant in 1998 with his father Peter. His parents, Peter and Stella Stavrakos, own Clearwater's Acropol Inn Restaurant,which opened in 1979. Greek immigrants, Peter and Stella came to Florida with the dream to own a business.

"My dad came from Greece with nothing. No language, no money. He had a dream to open a business. He worked hard. I think he did the real American Dream," Stavrakos said.

The idea of working hard to make your dreams a reality was passed down to him, his brother and sister.

"My parents instilled a big work ethic. Work hard and make something of yourself," Stavrakos said.

He remembers doing his homework in one of booths at his parents' Clearwater restaurant. When he got old enough, he started helping his parents in different jobs at the restaurant.

The restaurant and his family life continue to intertwine. His dad checks the restaurant daily. He eats breakfast and chats with customers. His mom is primarily at their Clearwater restaurant. His wife cashiers in the afternoon and evenings, which relieves him to run to Plateau Academy, pick up their two, young kids and help them with homework every day.

When asked what he attributes to the success of his business, Stavrakos answered quickly.

"Hard work, experience, good staff. We've had the same staff for years. We have one waitress who's been here 17 years. She came from the Clearwater restaurant. One of our cooks has been with us nine years. Our cooks care about the food they serve. We care about our customers."

Acropol Family Restaurant is open every day, Monday through Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. They serve Greek-American cuisine at reasonable prices. Some of their specialties include a huge Greek salad; gyro sandwich, piled high with the lamb-beef mixture, onions, tomatoes and tzatziki sauce; and Acropol steak with Greek spices and cooked with lemon slices.

Meals come with the choice of a small Greek or side salad and a half loaf of bread.

is located at 1170 Starkey Rd., Largo, FL. 33777. For more information, call (727) 581-9535.