Gary & Bev,
I think you picked the right restaurant but wrong location. The original Taki's is in Leesburg on 441 after it splits off from 27. My wife and I made the mistake of trying the one up by Lowes in the Villages and have never been back. Not sure on the whole story, I believe it is an extension of family or something up there. The one in Leesburg is no longer the original owners either for at least a couple of years now but the new owners in my opinion have an even better product than before. I eat there on a regular basis. Taki's was good back in the day but for a few years leading up to them opening that location up in the villages, something was lost either to the next generation or relative or I don't know what. Either way, I have met the new owners in Leesburg. They are a very nice couple with a young daughter. He is Greek and has been in the restaurant business his whole life and let me tell you it shows. Most of the time you will find him in the kitchen, which is why the food is so good! The decor is a little dated but warm. Just in my observations, they have renovated bathrooms which are night and day from the previous owners. They are very nice and clean. They have changed those dreadful tablecloths and it appears that they are doing some painting and drywall work as well. The place just sems cleaner overall. They are sprucing up the decor but believe me that is not why you go there, it's the food! I don't mean to talk bad of the old owners as I liked them too. I just think they got tired after all these years and needed to retire and just kind of either quit caring or had other issues that I don't know about. Either way I saw the place being run down for a few years and now it is really on the up and up. Like I said, the food is delicious, the decor is nice, the service is good but once in a while you'll get one of thier new servers who may not know everything yet but that is to be expected wherever you go. The owners are very nice and obvousily care about their food and most of all their customers. I actually heard the owner (which his name is Dimitri) (not sure on the spelling which is why I didn't write it before) tell his employees that he truly believes the customers are the boss and that without them they wouldn't get a paycheck and subsequently him too. I don't know how many people who run a business these days feel that way. It was nice to hear that coming from a young man today. It seems more and more that sense of professionalism has been lost or forgotten. This young couple has the makings of the restaurant owners of old where they were there most all the time, cared about you and your family as if you were their family and know their way around the kitchen. I know I kind of went a little overboard but I like to give credit where credit is due. Also, if you are lucky enough to see their Daughter on one of the few nights she is there, she is an absolute treat. She is so adorable and quite a ham!(I think she's almost two) Now, back to the original reason for responding to you. The pizza the new owner Dimitri makes is awesome! If you like Greek style pizza this is the place! If you go there, there is a little write up on him posted by the register about his history and such from the local paper. Ask for him by name but be sure to ask for Big Dimitri as he has another Dimitri known as little Dimitri who is also Greek and is the Manager. Like I said, Greeks who know their way around the kitchen! Hope this helps!
|