James Hondrogiannis has been in the restaurant business since age 6.
The Westminster resident started out with simple jobs like washing dishes and busing tables, before graduating to manager at his father’s restaurant, the Parkway Café in Federal Heights.
Now Hondrogiannis is putting all of that experience and knowledge to the test with the opening of his own place, Goody’s Eatery in south Westminster.
“After growing up in restaurants, I always knew I would open my own,” he said. “It takes a lot of passion, but it’s worth it.”
Everything made from scratch, including fresh-cut hash browns and homemade green chili, Goody’s Eatery is a breakfast and lunch restaurant. Located in the old Westy’s Café building at 3010 W. 72nd Ave., the interior has been completely transformed from the ground up. With help from his family, Hondrogiannis designed the restaurant to be light and airy with a welcoming and cozy atmosphere.
“When the building became available we really wanted to revitalize it for this part of Westminster,” he said. “The location is great with a lot of traffic, especially being down the street from the future light rail. It took a lot of work and a long time, but it feels really good to have a hand in it from the beginning.”
The breakfast menu features homemade items like banana bread French toast, a variety of skillets as well as some Mexican dishes like huevos rancheros and rellenos and eggs. For lunch, Goody’s is serving up half-pound burgers, zesty salads and sandwiches.
“I wanted a mix of both American and Mexican food,” Hondrogiannis said. “For breakfast I just put everything I love about breakfast into the menu.”
Since opening in early September, Hondrogiannis said he’s had a good steady stream of customers. The ultimate goal would be to open multiple locations in the future, but for now Hondrogiannis is more than satisfied with the foot traffic so far.
“Thank God we have customers in here every day telling us how beautiful the place is and how good the food is, that is all the reward right there,” he said.
Goody’s Eatery is open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. For more information, visit www.goodyseatery.com.
