SCRANTON -- People in our area love to try different ethnic foods. A man in Scranton is hoping that's his ticket to the American dream.
He escaped the financial crisis in his native Greece and recently set up shop in Scranton.
Chris Vasliou cooks in this kitchen in Scranton the same way he always did back home is Athens, Greece. A chef for 15 years, Chris and his family fled the financial crisis in Greece and came here.
"I have my work, but the money wasn't enough. But that wasn't the main reason. The main reason is that situation is very difficult to change. And worry about my daughter," said Vasliou.
His story has all the makings of the classic American dream but, Chris knows he still has to prove himself and win over Scranton with his classic Greek recipes. He says, so far, it's working.
"That's why I'm coming over, on my lunch break, to check out the new restaurant, I'm excited. Nothing like a new venture in Scranton and you want to see them succeed as best we all can to support them," said Gail Reese.
Chris and his family have been in the United States for about two years now. He says he spent a lot of that time thinking about the right place to start his own restaurant. He landed in Scranton on the aptly named Olive Street.
The coincidence helps the Vasliou family feel at home here and they say if you're here, you'll feel like you're in Greece, too.
"I don't want to Americanize the Greek food."
"Pita Gyro" offers Greek recipes you've heard of, and maybe some you haven't. Chris has been surprised with what Scrantonians has been willing to try.
"People here, they, I didn't expect it, I didn't feel like I was a stranger here," he said.
He feels at home, while giving us a taste of his.