Our Story
From Ellis Island to OMG
A story nearly a century in the making — rooted in sacrifice, family, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
The Beginning
A 15-Year-Old with $5.00 and a Dream
In the early 1920s, at just 15 years old, Stylianos Thomas Georgoules arrived at Ellis Island from Greece with only $5.00 in his pocket and a dream that refused to be small.
He wasn't just chasing opportunity — he was willing to fight for it. Stylianos would go on to proudly serve his adopted country as a U.S. Soldier, embodying the very spirit of the American Dream: courage, resilience, and gratitude for the chance to build a life from nothing.
After his service, he found his first opportunity in Scranton, Pennsylvania, working as a short-order cook. Behind a hot grill and through long shifts, he built his foundation — saving every dollar he could. He had a passion: the New York Yankees. On his days off, he would travel to New York — sometimes just to watch a game, sometimes to take a chance betting on the team he loved. A life built on hustle, risk, and hope.
Building a Legacy
The Westin Grill
Eventually, Stylianos knew it was time to build something more permanent — a family. He returned to Greece, where he met and married his wife, Eugenia, before bringing her back to America. True to who he was, he didn't take her home first. He took her to a Yankees game.
Eugenia encouraged a move to Chicago, where her family had roots. There, Stylianos' entrepreneurial spirit came alive — he opened and operated two pool halls on South State Street, becoming a fixture in the community. But his heart never left the kitchen.
With years of saving and dreaming behind him, Stylianos made a bold move — investing $100,000 (an extraordinary sum at the time) to open an upscale restaurant inside the Westin Hotel: The Westin Grill. It was elegant. Ambitious. Ahead of its time. Family stories still echo about the details — the leather-padded walls by the dance floor, the pride he took in every dish.
The Spark
Unfinished Business
Though Stylianos and Eugenia passed before their grandson was born, their legacy lived on through stories, values, and an undeniable connection to food. That grandson is Stylianos (Steve) Thomas Georgoules — in true Greek tradition, the names carried forward, reversed across generations.
Growing up in Chicago — a world-class food city — Steve was being shaped by excellence without realizing it. His father, Thomas Stylianos (Steve) Georgoules, may he rest in peace, kept his own father's story alive. And alongside that foundation was his mother, Vigdis (Vicki) Georgoules, an immigrant from Norway, whose strength and unwavering support helped shape the path forward.
The turning point came in two moments. First: while cleaning out an aunt's apartment, Steve discovered Stylianos' original cookbooks — pages filled with more than recipes. They were pieces of history, discipline, and passion. For the first time, the legacy wasn't just something he heard about. It was something he could hold.
The second moment felt almost surreal. One night, by chance, dinner plans led Steve into the new Westin Hotel in Chicago. He walked in with no expectations — and then, there it was. The Grill. They kept the name. In that instant, it hit him like a ton of bricks. Decades later, his grandfather's vision was still alive. Still standing. Still recognized. This wasn't just family history. It was unfinished business.
The Mission
From Memory to Movement
After relocating to Southwest Florida, one thing became clear: something was missing. Not just Greek food — but real Greek food. Fresh. Healthy. Authentic. Consistent.
So the decision was made: it was time. With the support of a powerful team — Brandy, his life partner, perfecting a signature tzatziki recipe; Tom, a longtime friend and experienced restaurant owner; and Rick, a culinary professional with deep expertise in training and operations — what started as an idea became a mission.
OMG Oh My Greeks stands for:
A Personal Dedication
To my grandfather, Stylianos Thomas Georgoules, who came to this country with nothing, served it with honor, and built something from pure determination.
To my father, Thomas Stylianos (Steve) Georgoules, may he rest in peace, who shared those stories and taught me the value of hard work, sacrifice, and pride.
And to my mother, Vigdis (Vicki) Georgoules, who came to this country from Norway and showed me through her strength, love, and unwavering support what it truly means to build a life and a future.
This isn't just a business. It's our family legacy — carried forward, one plate at a time.