One of Galveston’s longtime Greek restaurants has closed the curtain on its second act and, as it appears, its culinary history on the island. Kritikos Grill shuttered permanently after its owner sailed off towards retirement, the Galveston Daily News reported over the weekend.
Word of Kritikos’ closure started circulating around Aug. 28 on social media. Its owner, Larry Kriticos, told the Daily News that the restaurant’s lease at 4908 Seawall Blvd. was approaching its end, and it provided the opportunity for him to pack it in at 76 years of age. The restaurant officially closed Aug. 23.
Galveston residents on social media congratulated Larry on retirement while also grieving the loss of a treasured institution. Kritikos Grill opened in 2019 at the former Olympia Grill, also owned by the Kritcos family. The Olympia Grill had been around since 1996. It expanded to Pier 21 in Galveston and to League City, but all three locations are now closed. The Daily News reported a new owner may take control of the restaurant.
The Kriticos family also owned the Seawall Cafe before Larry and his brother, Tikie, took the helm.
Greek immigrants like the Kriticos family have long had a sizable impact on the hospitality industry in Greater Houston. One need only look at longtime restaurants like Christie’s Seafood & Steaks, Niko Niko’s and Cleburne Cafeteria, which all have had healthy and long histories in the region. The Pappas family, now known for their namesake restaurants, all descended from H.D. Pappas who immigrated to America in the late 1800s.
Dining and Cooking