Wistfulness in Altötting: After 36 years, the last Greek restaurant is closing

Wistfulness in Altötting: After 36 years, the last Greek restaurant is closing

A chapter has come to an end in Altötting: after 36 years, the city's first and only Greek restaurant, Restaurant Athens, has closed. The restaurant's boss, Costa Gatsuulis, found it difficult to contain his emotions as he said goodbye. “It brings back a lot of memories,” he confessed through tears as he dried his eyes with a tissue. His wife Tabita was also visibly affected by the end of this era. Many lovers of Greek cuisine will miss the hearty dishes and the family atmosphere. The restaurant's location, at Kreszentiaheimstraße 13, was a popular meeting place for locals and tourists who wanted to immerse themselves in Greek gastronomy.

The Athens Restaurant, run by Costa Gatsuulis, was not only a place for a good meal but also a place where memories were made. It attracted numerous guests with its authentic Greek cuisine and warm service. Many not only remembered the delicious food, but also appreciated the family atmosphere that existed there. With the end of the restaurant, Altötting will now be without Greek cuisine, which many see as a great loss.

An economic look at the catering industry

Gastronomy is not only a cultural enrichment, but also an important economic sector in Germany. The entire industry recently generated an impressive 115.2 billion euros in sales, which further underlines the influence of the catering industry. From restaurants to cafés and bars to snack bars – the possibilities are almost endless. There are around 63,400 restaurants and over 35,700 snack bars in Germany. The demand for food-based gastronomy is particularly high. The importance of gastronomic services is becoming increasingly important in our society, especially after the restrictions caused by the corona pandemic. Sales have increased significantly compared to 2020 and 2021, helping to stabilize the market.

Looking at the Athens restaurant, it becomes clear how important such traditional restaurants are, especially in smaller cities. For many guests it was not just a question of food, but also of social interaction and community. The emotional farewells remind us that gastronomy is much more than just food and drink, but a place of gathering and part of our culture.

The future of gastronomy

The next few years could bring further challenges for the catering industry. The number of training courses is falling in many areas, which could have a long-term impact on the industry. The most popular training occupation remains training to become a cook, but hotel management is also very popular. Given the increasing awareness of environmental and animal protection, consumers are also demanding more commitment from catering establishments.

At a time when the industry is changing through digitalization and new trends, the hope remains that new restaurants will follow that can carry on the spirit of Greek cuisine and the family atmosphere of the Athens restaurant. Costa Gatsuulis and his wife Tabita leave behind a valuable legacy and hope for a flourishing gastronomic future in Altötting.

For more information about the Athens restaurant and its history, please visit the website Athens Gatsuulis Konstantinos. Also provides information about current developments in the catering industry Statista.