Object ID
2012.23.7
Object Name
Plate, Dinner
Object Collection
Material
Ceramic
Object Entities
Grill, Ramova (owned by)
Dinos, Tony (is related to)
Miller, Ward (is related to)
Gertos, Bob (is related to)
Gertos, Bill (is related to)
Access Points
Object Description
A white ceramic dinner plate with writing on the bottom in red marker that says, "Ramova Grill 3510 S. Halsted - Chicago 1929 to May 27, 2012 - Greek Owned Establishment Located Nest to the Ramova Theater in Bridgeport Community." Some of the writing in smeared and difficult to read. There are some gray markings on the top of the plate and only a couple on the bottom. The plate has raised edges and has some residue on it but it is difficult to see.
Origin
The Ramova Grill opened in Chicago in 1929 and after 82 years it shut down in 2012. Tony Dinos was from Greece and moved to the United States in 1960 where he started working at the Ramova Grill, his first and only job he has ever had in the United States. He started out as a dishwasher but once he learned English better his uncle, Pete Gertos, promoted him to cook and four years after that he bought in and owned part of the place. In 1965, while working at the grill, Dinos met Liberty Sfondels, whom he would marry just two month later and are still married to this day. The Ramova Grill was known for their pancakes and chili. Dinos got the chili recipe from the original owners and will not give the recipe to anyone, not even his son-in-law who owns a diner in Indiana. Dinos and his partner Bob Gertos have decided to close the grill after working there for 52 years to spend more time with family and travel.
Rights and Reproduction
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Citation
Plate, Dinner, Ramova Grill Collection, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/8843. Accessed 04/19/24.