The Marietta Diner operating below the radar for 13 years has been one of the busiest restaurants in Georgia since “Day One”. This restaurant owned by Gus Tselios is a force to be reckoned with. The Marietta Diner is open 24/7 and packed all the time. What is the secret to this success story, “Simple”? Surround yourself with a great front and back of the house staff, serve great food in big portions at fair prices and surround yourself with Family to watch over everything when your supervising your other restaurants the Marietta Fish Company, Cherokee Cattle Company and Pasta Bella. Mom watches during the day and Dad covers the night. There is always family watching the floor, expediting orders, checking food quality, and greeting guests. As you can see from the pictures taken at 4:00 this past Saturday afternoon not a seat was available and with a wait list already started. We are not talking about Saturday night. Guests drive from all over Georgia and neighboring states every day to eat Gus’s fare, It is that good. The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives feature on the Marietta Diner did not hurt either. We came back Sunday night for dinner and the Diner was packed as well. Service was super. Our server has been with the Tselios Family for over thirty years having worked with them at their Diner in Mt. Kisco NY. Servers placed a whole individual baked loaf of challah bread and plates of complimentary spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) followed by piping hot Matzo Ball Soup and Greek salads all included in the price of any dinner. My guests and I all dined on baby rack of lamb, eggplant and chicken parmesan, Romanian steak covered in sautéed mushrooms and onions, health nut seafood (sautéed lobster, scallops, shrimp, and salmon in a scampi sauce served over pasta or not) plus the biggest servings of desserts you have ever been served. My favorite was the apple crumb cheesecake and a big bowl of fresh strawberries. The table next to us in contrast had club sandwiches and fried eggs with pancakes. How amazing that the whole 350 item breakfast, lunch and dinner menu is available 24/7. You can’t leave without trying their seafood bisque or their Paella. The signature dish of Paella is about four pounds of food and as all dishes it is cooked to order. This is one place to come hungry but make sure you have room in your car for leftovers.
