Savory Restaurant Lives Up to Its Name

For almost seven years, Savory Restaurant, a full-service, family-operated, eatery at 12881 Walsingham Rd., east of the Publix Shopping Center near Vonn Road, has built a loyal customer base by living up to its name.

Ava Lagoudakis said she and her family, who have been restaurateurs for more than 40 years, “love the business. I live and breathe it; it’s in my blood and it's what I do.

“We pride ourselves at having homemade breakfast, lunch and dinners prepared from the freshest ingredients,” she said. She noted they have no managers, because one of her family members are always at the restaurant, whether it be her mom, Jamie; dad, Gus; brother, Mike; or his wife, Tina.

Ava Lagoudakis, who was born in Chicago, said her family started out by operating a successful family restaurant in Michigan. Thirteen years ago they realized their dream and moved to Florida, opening a family restaurant on Clearwater Beach, which they operated for seven years.

The reason they chose the Clearwater Beach is part of her family’s love story: Her mom and dad, who have been married for 33 years, honeymooned on Clearwater Beach, and they often vacationed in the area.

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They bought their current Largo-Indian Rocks Beach location when it became available in March 2006.

“We wanted our own building, so we moved to Indian Rocks Beach and just feel in love with the area," Lagoudakis said. "At first we just had a few customers coming in, but then word-of-mouth spread and we now have regulars who come in every day, every week and sometimes three times a day. Every day someone new comes in who heard about our great food and friendly atmosphere. We don't even advertise, it's all word-of-mouth. We give good portions of the freshest, homemade food, at affordable prices, which is not easy these days with steadily rising food costs."

Lagoudakis said she feels right at home at the restaurant's current location.

“I love Indian Rocks Beach. It’s a very family oriented community. We have watched customers’ kids grow up and get a lot of support from the community. People bring their family and friends. Sunday after church the restaurant is packed with families who all know each other, it’s great.”

Customers Morgan Wert and her mother, Candy, say they eat at Savory at least once a week. “They have great food and a nice variety, so you can have something different each time," Morgan said. Candy said she tries something different every time she dines.

The Savory offers a variety of American and Italian-style dishes, and a sampling of Greek fare, such as Greek salads, spinach pie and gyros cut from meat on a spit. The Savory menu specializes in several pasta and Italian dishes, along with a variety of pizza and calzones, 10 specialty salads, and wraps, along with traditional American-style chicken, fish and steak dinners, big burgers and stuffed sandwiches. Its full-service breakfast menu includes 21 omelets, specialty pancakes and skillets and other morning treats served anytime.

If You Go

Savory Restaurant

12881 Walsingham Rd., Largo

727-593-2030