Tucked away in a small shopping center in northern Wichita Falls, sits a European-style restaurant, the Hibiscus Cafe, that specializes in Greek delicacies.
Family-owned and operated, the restaurant was established by a Greek family, the Panagiotarakos, on April 19, 1999.
For 23 years, this hidden treasure was located off Pearlie Drive near Sheppard Air Force Base. The restaurant then moved to its current and larger location at 4114 Burkburnett Road, Suite No. 6 — still by SAFB.
Hibiscus Cafe at 4114 Burkburnett Road, Suite No. 6, in Wichita Falls on April 9 is a family-owned restaurant specializing in Greek cuisine. The popular eatery is near Sheppard Air Force Base.
Stella Panagiotarakos, the owner of Hibiscus Cafe, operates the restaurant with her daughter, Mary Akriotis.
Stella Panagiotarakos (left), the owner of Hibiscus Cafe, her daughter Mary Akriotis (middle), and Michail Akriotis (right), who is Mary’s husband, pose for a picture inside Hibiscus Cafe on April 9. The family-owned restaurant specializes in Greek cuisine and is located at 4114 Burkburnett Road, Suite No. 6, in Wichita Falls.
Mary said she and her husband, Michail Akriotis, will eventually take the reins and own the restaurant.
Greek village salad is an authentic dish served at Hibiscus Cafe on April 9. The family-owned restaurant specializes in Greek delicacies and is located at 4114 Burkburnett Road, Suite No. 6, in Wichita Falls.
Starting off small, the Panagiotarakos family sold homemade Greek dishes at Sheppard AFB events and church bake sales back in the early days of the restaurant.
A gyro with fries is served at Hibiscus Cafe on April 9. The family-owned restaurant specializes in Greek food and delicacies. It is located at 4114 Burkburnett Road, Suite No. 6, in Wichita Falls near Sheppard Air Force Base.
The cafe now has generational customers, Mary said.
“A lot of our customers become our family. We love them, and they’ve supported us throughout all these years,” she said.
Some Greek specialties and customer favorites offered at the cafe include the lemon chicken, gyros, fried cheese, baklava and tiramisu.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Hibiscus Cafe is a Wichita Falls Greek restaurant
Dining and Cooking