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

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.

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.

"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.

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."