From Greece to Houston
The Demeris story begins in a small village in Greece and runs through more than seventy years of Houston restaurants, including the Bar-B-Q joint on Shepherd that opened in 1964 and is still serving today.
A Houston restaurant family
- 1915
Frank comes to America
Frank Demeris first comes to America in 1915 and serves in the U.S. Army. After World War I he returns to Falanthe, Greece, to marry Angelike Vasilakopoulos; together they raise four children.
- 1947
Arriving in Houston
When civil war breaks out in Greece, Frank returns to America for good. In March 1947 he arrives in Houston with his eldest son Gus and daughter Georgia. Frank works for his brothers at the T&G Restaurant on Fannin; Gus works at Steve's Barbecue. By the end of 1948 the rest of the family has joined them.
- 1952
The G and N Cafe
Frank buys Anthony's Cafe on North San Jacinto at Wood Street and renames it the G and N Cafe, after his sons Gus and Nick.
- 1961
Growing the family business
Gus and Jimmy buy the Shipley's location at West Gray and Dunlavy, then Carol's Kitchen on South Shepherd.
- 1964
The first Demeris Bar-B-Q
Gus and Jimmy buy Sanders Barbecue, which becomes the first Demeris Bar-B-Q on Shepherd, where it still serves Houston today. Nick and Georgia, with her husband George Vlahakos, join the business that year.
- 1969
Town and Country
In December, a second location opens in the Town and Country area of west Houston.
- 1975
"Northwest"
A third location opens on Hempstead Road, known to regulars as "Northwest."
- 1976
Sharpstown
A location opens next to Sharpstown Center.
- 2012
The West Loop
The northwest Houston store relocates and becomes the West Loop location, with a patio, a private dining area, a drive-up window and a full bar.
- 2014
50 delicious years
The family celebrates the 50th anniversary of Demeris Bar-B-Q with a yearlong tribute.
- Today
The next generation
Demeris is run by four of Frank's grandsons, who have refined operations, added menu items and significantly expanded Demeris Catering.
The story behind our 50th
Hear from the family about how a Houston Bar-B-Q joint became one of the city's great restaurant families.