The word pillar has two meanings – one being a distinctive feature of Greek architecture and the other being someone you can rely on for support and strength. Undeniably, Frank and Sasa Georgalos are pillars of their community. Coincidentally, they are also Greek. Frank grew up in upstate New York where he learned the ins and outs of the restaurant business, attended culinary school and eventually became a chef. Sasa was born and raised in beautiful Athens, Greece. Eventually, life brought them together and led them to middle Tennessee where they purchased Grecian Family Restaurant in 2015.
After the Georgaloses took ownership, they enhanced the menu adding more authentic Greek dishes like pastitsio and moussaka. In 2018, they were able to expand their walls and add breakfast and bakery items to the menu. Favorites for breakfast are omelets, sausage and gravy and Greek Sweet Bread French Toast – a Grecian Family Restaurant original. Of course, gyros and chicken souvlaki are at the top of the list. Sasa calls the baklava cheesecake one of the most beautiful things that they make. She knows Baklava, and Frank knows cheesecake. “It’s our baby!,” Sasa joked.
Grecian Family Restaurant and Bakery has won several local awards over the past years such as Williamson’s Best 2021 for Best Mediterranean and Best of Spring Hill and Thompson’s Station 2020 for Best All-Around Restaurant among others.
Not only do the Georgaloses create award-winning food, but they also participate in numerous charities, fundraisers and operate their own pay-it-forward meal program in their restaurant. Their generosity may be known best, however, by their annual Free Thanksgiving Meal event. Every Thanksgiving, they close the restaurant doors to regular business and open their arms to people who want to share the holiday with them, whether they’re in need or want to lend a hand. “It doesn’t matter if you’re poor, if you’re sick, if you’re alone, if you’re old,” Sasa says. “If you’re working that day and you’re not going to be with family, and you need
something that reminds you of Thanksgiving, you’re welcome to come and eat here.” You’re also welcome to come pick it up. If you’re unable to do either of those, they will bring it to you.
Volunteers will deliver as far as fifteen miles away. They feed emergency rooms, police departments, fire departments and many more. Last year, they provided free Thanksgiving dinners to a whopping 1,400 people who either did not have a meal or could not be at their own. Their project, proudly, had around eighty volunteers. “We spend Thanksgiving with a lot of people now,” Sasa laughs.
The community did not forget Frank when he experienced his own moment of need earlier this year. Health issues took Frank out of the kitchen he so dearly loves and demanded a stay in the hospital and time off his feet. Friends and loved ones started a GoFundMe account and held a fundraiser at the very restaurant where Frank and Sasa have raised funds and spread love and generosity for so many others. “We really appreciate everything everyone did for us,” says Sasa. “It was unbelievable.”
Despite this bump in the road, Frank and Sasa continue to give back. Preparations are well underway for the 6th Annual Free Thanksgiving Meal. RestaurantSpringHill.com
Dinner Volunteers - Signupgenius.com/go/30E0944ABAE23A1FC1-grecians
Donations - Signupgenius.com/go/30E0944ABAE23A1FC1-thanksgiving
Facebook link - Facebook.com/100064010824970/posts/join-us-for-our-6th-annual-free-thanksgiving-day-dinner-we-are-very-happy-to-ann/725279779615710/
“It doesn’t matter if you’re poor, if you’re sick, if you’re alone, if you’re old." - Sasa Georgalos