Building from success: Former John's Lunch brothers open new diner - Action News
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Nova Scotia

Building from success: Former John's Lunch brothers open new diner

The owners of a new Dartmouth, N.S., diner two brothers best known for their food at a popular fish and chips shop just up the road say there's no hard feelings between them and their old spot, but they needed room to grow.

Tommy and Stephen Fatouros worked at John's Lunch for decades but now own a new restaurant up the street

The new restaurant opened a five-minute drive from another diner where the owners worked for 20 years. (Nic Meloney/CBC)

Two brothers associated with John's Lunch, a Nova Scotiafish and chips institution, have opened a dinerin the Woodside neighbourhood of Dartmouth.

Pleasant St. Diner, launched by Tommy andStephenFatouros,was packed Monday, with a lineup of hungry peopleto the door.

Tommy Fatourossaid Monday he and his brother wanted a larger space to work in the new place has 60 seats with a bigger menu and a liquor licence. Otherwise, the restaurant should feel familiar, he said.

"We're starting off simple here, we're sticking to stuff we know.Fish andchips [and]afew new things on the menu," he said.

Country-wide reputation

The brothers both previously worked at John's Lunch where their father,FotisFatouros,was once theco-owner and a fixture behind the counter for more than 30 years.

John's Lunch was named inCanadian Living magazine four years agoas having the best fish and chips in the country.

Stephen and Tommy Fatouros say they always knew they'd open their new diner in Woodside. (Nic Meloney/CBC)

His sons saidhe was the unofficialface of the restaurantand people liked to come and talk withhim.The family gained a reputation for service and great food.

Tommy Fatourossaideven though they loved the old restaurant, he and his brother outgrew it and wanted to do things a little differently.

"That's a beautiful place there," he said of John's Lunch."It's going strong, it'll always go strong."

A side of loyalty

Pleasant St. Diner, located just up the street, already has its fans.

"It's agood thing," saidMike Knight, patting his belly. TheEastern Passage, N.S.,man, who's a die-hard John's Lunch fan, said once he recognized the staff at the Pleasant St. Diner, he knew he had to try the food.

Pleasant St. Diner was packed on its opening day. (Nic Meloney/CBC)

"This place is a little bigger, a little more room, a little nicer, but it all depends on where the crowd is. If there's a crowd down there [John's Lunch], we'll come here. If there's a crowd [here], we'll go down there."

BonitaAalderssaidshedrove from Prospect about 35 kilometres awayto try out the new menu.Shesaid it wastheFatourosfamily's reputation that brought her to the new location.

Strong emotional connection

Fatourossaid he was humbled and overwhelmed by the turnout for the new diner's opening day. He said heand his familyhave a strong emotional connection to theold restaurant and more so to their community in Woodside.

The owner of John's Lunch,StratosBaltas, declined to comment on the new venture.

Fotis Fatouros scoops food out of a deep fryer at Pleasant St. Diner.
Fotis Fatouros once co-owned John's Lunch in Woodside and worked there for more than 30 years. (Nic Meloney/CBC)

Fatourosis hopeful the restaurants will co-exist fora long time.

"This is not John's Lunch this is the Pleasant St. Diner. And you know they're going to be there for another 50 yearsand hopefully, we can be half as successful as them."