Austin Restaurant Hopes to Reopen After Fire Disruption
AUSTIN, Texas — A local favorite, Yamas Greek Kitchen + Bar, is making plans to reopen on Tuesday after a fire led to the cancellation of reservations for nearly 2,000 guests during Labor Day weekend. The fire, which was caused by electrical lines, flared up around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, sending sparks up toward the restaurant’s roof and sending owners Hristos and Roxie Nikolakos into action.
A Frightening Experience Turns to Community Support
“We were packed,” Hristos recalled, clearly shaken yet relieved things did not turn out worse. In the midst of a bustling dinner rush, they had to send everyone home. With the quick thinking of one of their servers, who dashed in to grab a fire extinguisher, the flames were swiftly contained, and Roxie’s son even sprinted across the street to alert the fire department.
“The firefighters showed up within a minute; they cut open the roof and put the fire out,” added Roxie, very thankful for the swift response. The couple expressed their gratitude that no one got hurt and that the incident did not happen overnight when things might have taken a turn for the worse. “Thank God the damage was minimal, but we had to replace all the wiring,” mentioned Hristos, showing the resilience of their spirit.
Cleaning Up Over Labor Day
After the fire, Hristos and Roxie had a busy holiday weekend ahead, but not in the way they had initially hoped. “I bought $25,000 of food this weekend, a lot of which went to waste because we lost power to the fridge,” he explained. Cleaning up and making repairs became the main focus as they worked tirelessly alongside their dedicated staff and close friends, all of whom stepped up to help in their time of need.
Reconnecting Power and Community Spirit
As the couple scrambled to restore normalcy, Roxie took the time to personally inform everyone who had made reservations, ensuring that they knew what had happened. However, not all news was good as they learned that an electrician had trouble locating a $10 part needed to reconnect power due to supply stores being closed for the holiday. Despite this setback, the Nikolakos couple felt immense gratitude for the support they had received from the community since opening their dream restaurant just a year ago.
“It’s crazy, the outpouring of the people, the love we get from our neighbors,” Hristos shared, clearly touched by the warm responses they’ve encountered. When asked how the community could pitch in, he simply asked, “Come back as customers. That’s the only thing we want from them.”
The Heart of Greek Cuisine
For those who haven’t yet experienced the unique offerings at Yamas Greek Kitchen + Bar, this restaurant has quickly become a coveted dining spot in Austin since its opening last summer. Yamas specializes in modern and historical Greek meal options — a delightful combination that guests adore. Their menu includes scrumptious dishes like the Skopelitiki cheese pie, filled with phyllo dough, honey, sesame, and thyme, as well as Keftedakia, or Greek meatballs, served with feta cheese, fresh herbs, and a savory tomato sauce.
The restaurant typically opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, offering brunch and dinner services with reservations available online. As they gear up for reopening, the couple hopes that once they’re back in business, the community will rally behind them, filling the tables once again in support of their ambitions.
So, here’s to the quick recovery of Yamas Greek Kitchen + Bar and the incredible Austin community that stands behind them!
