‘Excited to start again’: Longtime Lehigh Valley restaurant operator returns | Eat, sip, shop

FREEMANSBURG, Pa. – A well-known restaurant is returning to its roots – under its previous name and ownership – in Northampton County.

Spiro’s Restaurant, a full-service restaurant offering a wide variety of made-to-order dishes, is set to reopen in early November at 710 Washington St. of Freemansburg, said owner Spiro Margetis.

Margetis had retired three years ago, making way for new owners — George Rigopoulos and Jeff Kantzaridis — to run the establishment as the Freemansburg Diner, but he’s coming out of retirement to run the restaurant again as Spiro’s, he told 69 News.

“I’m excited to get going again,” Margetis said.

Kantzaridis and Rigopoulos are leaving the restaurant industry to pursue other professional endeavors, Rigopoulos said.

The Freemansburg Diner will close its doors for the last time under its current owners at 2pm on Thursday, October 31st.

“Thank you to all our dear customers for all your support over the past 3 years,” the partners announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “… Thank you for your support, time with us, memories and friendships. We will miss you all!”

Margetis plans to keep the restaurant closed for about a week as road signs are changed at Spiro and new wall paint and other cosmetic improvements are implemented.

Spiro’s will then reopen with much of the same staff, including several servers and a chef who has worked at the restaurant for more than 20 years, Margetis said.

Spiro’s will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, featuring Spiros’ original menu with popular staples such as stuffed peppers, cabbage, chicken paprikash, beef goulash, beef stroganoff and baked meatballs, Margetis said.

Breakfast selections, including various omelets, egg platters, pancakes and toast, will be available all day.

Before the Freemansburg Diner, Spiro’s operated at the property from 1982 until 2021, Margetis said.

The restaurant, with a combination of booths and tables with chairs, is located near the intersection of Washington Street and Pembroke Road.