Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick and Jimmy Markos.
Nick and Jimmy, please share your story with us.
Growing up in a home where our Mom would cook multiple meals a day, often times all different meals for her four hungry men, we understand what love on a plate entails. The memories around the kitchen table has inspired the deep passion to create a food experience for each of our patrons. We grew up in the food industry as our father worked tirelessly for 15 years at George’s Roast Beef in Lynn and created a special place for his customers to enjoy his cooking daily. Watching our parents work so hard built the work ethic and courage to be entrepreneurs and pursue our dream of opening restaurants as Pier 2 Kitchen is our 3rd.
Nicholas actually fell out of the restaurant business for over a decade as he pursued two master’s degrees and a doctoral program all while serving as a school administrator, coach and teacher. Dimitrios has run, managed and or owned locations throughout the greater Boston area and has had a deep passion for his craft. When Nicholas was laid off after relocating back to Boston, we saw a great opportunity to team up once again and bring a concept and a brand to the Cape Ann area that no one can match.
Our commitment to you is centered on understanding that sitting around a table with family should be a joyous occasion, a happy time with laughs, love and great food. In 6 months, the boys have taken Gloucester, Cape Ann and the rest of the North Shore by surprise with their huge omelettes, gourmet burger creations, mouth-watering chicken kabob & steak tips and an atmosphere that feels like HOME!
We thrive to create an “experience” that you deserve. We will always have a commitment to excellence to provide our patrons- our family, with an experience that will always keep you coming back for more.
This is who we are. This is what we are about. We are Pier 23 Kitchen.
Has it been a smooth road?
Opening, owning and operating your own business is never easy especially with a site that had not been successful as a restaurant. We both still work over 80+ hours a week, open to close and finding a staff that buys into what you are trying to accomplish not just day to day but over time is always a challenge.
Everyday poses new challenges and new joys and we have been in the business long enough to just grind through it and never get too high or too low and just continue to take care of the patrons, our staff and our community which we have already raised over $5000 for in 6 months through our charity nights.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pier 23 Kitchen story. Tell us more about the business.
Burgers, Burgers, & Burgers! We thrive on having the best burger around, ANYWHERE! We will put our food against anyone. We are not “chefs”, we are hardworking family that wants to put out a great product on every plate we serve. People rave about our burgers but the great thing is now as people start to explore our menu they realize that everything is phenomenal at Pier 23 Kitchen. Homemade Chicken Fingers, Fresh Chicken wings, homemade sauces, omelettes that barely fit on the plate and more.
We are owned and operated. We are always here. We literally make each dish that comes out of that kitchen breakfast, lunch or dinner.
We are proud that we have been able to impact the community in such a positive way and are blessed to be growing continuously in such a beautiful area.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think some of the major trends are happening now as far as grab n go, quick places, in and out but I always think there is a market and a time that people yearn to sit down reload their minds and have trust in the restaurant of their liking to provide a great meal.
When you have great food, great service and a clean, healthy environment those are trends that will never fade away.
Contact Info:
- Address: Pier 23 Kitchen
23 East Main Street
Gloucester, MA - Website: www.pier23kitchen.com
- Phone: 9785157932
- Email: pier23kitchen@gmail.com
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