Papa Cristo's
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage |
| Founded | October 1948 |
| Founder | Sam Chrys |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Greek market products, Greek cuisine |
Papa Cristo's is a Greek market and taverna situated in Los Angeles' Byzantine-Latino Quarter, directly opposite Saint Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church.
History
The business was originally established in October 1948 by Greek immigrant Sam Chrys under the name C & K Importing, primarily specializing in bringing produce from Greece to the United States. In 1968, Sam’s son, Chrys, broadened the scope of the enterprise by launching a Greek dining establishment alongside the import operations. To enhance the restaurant’s menu, Chrys undertook extensive travels across Greece to study regional culinary traditions. The taverna itself was formally founded during the 1990s, utilizing ingredients sourced through the family’s import network. In 1990, Papa Cristo's introduced a catering service catering to clients throughout Greater Los Angeles and Orange County. The family legacy continued in 2010 when Annie, daughter of Chrys Chrys, joined the management team, representing the third generation of family leadership.
Restaurant
Each Thursday, the restaurant presents its well-attended "My Big Fat Greek Family-Style Dinner," which features live performances of bouzouki music and belly dancing, frequently reaching full capacity due to its popularity. The menu includes a broad array of traditional Greek fare and sweets such as:
- Chicken and lamb Gyros
- Souvlaki
- Loukaniko
- Falafel
- Tsipoura
- Kefta
- Oktapodakia (grilled octopus)
- Loukoumades
- Taramosalata (Greek fish roe spread)
- Gigandes plaki
Market
The market offers an extensive selection of approximately 3,000 imported Greek products including frappé coffee, olive oil, multiple varieties of ouzo, as well as traditional items like spanakopita, feta and kasseri cheeses, and tiropita. It also features a diverse assortment of imported Greek wines such as Retsina and Muscat from the island of Samos. Beyond Greek specialties, the market includes Ethiopian food items and products, broadening its range.
Reception
Papa Cristo's has received significant accolades within the culinary industry, notably winning the 2011 Zagat award for Best Greek Restaurant in Los Angeles. In 2007, ABC 7 recognized it as one of the top seven family-style eateries in Los Angeles. Its Roasted Lamb and Feta sandwich was listed among Los Angeles' top 17 sandwiches by Los Angeles Magazine in 2010. The establishment’s cuisine appeared in the 2002 motion picture My Big Fat Greek Wedding and the subsequent 2003 CBS television series My Big Fat Greek Life. The Los Angeles Times praised Papa Cristo's as offering some of "the most delicious deals around town." During the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, rapper Ja Rule produced a viral commercial for Papa Cristo's on TBS's Celebrity Show-Off, which significantly increased business.
See also
External links
- Culture of California
- European-American culture in Los Angeles
- Restaurants in California
- Greek-American culture in California
- Greek restaurants in the United States
- Restaurants established in 1948
- American companies established in 1948
- 1948 establishments in California
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment