Restaurant Impossible - Portu-Greek Cafe Update

Photo - Food Network

Tonight on Restaurant Impossible, Robert Irvine and his crew are in Hudson, Florida to makeover the Portu-Greek Cafe.  The restaurant is eight years old and the owner Jordan is self described as a "stubborn owner."  There are some conflicts regarding control of the restaurant, so Robert is forced to bring the family to the beach for an exercise to force them to cooperate with each other.   Robert needs to figure out a way to take some control of the restaurant from Jordan to help keep everyone in the family and in the restaurant happy.  As I normally do with Restaurant: Impossible episodes, I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about Portu-Greek Cafe to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews are post Restaurant Impossible):



Positive Reviews:

• "Coming from New England, we were always looking for good seafood;  Portu-Greek was recommended for their clams.  We have been regulars ever since.  Their fried clams, clam chowder and steamers are better than most places in New England...Now that Robert Irvine has spruced up the place and was wise enough not to change the menu, the décor is as good as the food"
• "When I heard that this place was redone by Restaurant Impossible, I had to come see Robert Irvine's handy work. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful! They did a great job. Staff is friendly and the Greek salad was pretty tasty :)....Anyone rolling thru Hudson, FL should check this restaurant out!"
• "Recently completely remodeled with an improved menu! Whole Belly Clams and "Saganaki" (Flaming Cheese) are GREAT!"
• "This visit was a vast improvement. Food great, and more than ample servings. Service great. Decor much improved. Clams (whole) better than any I have ever had in Florida and at least as good as any in Ipswich, Ma or Portland Me. Maybe better. Going back soon."

Negative Reviews

• No negative reviews since the Restaurant Impossible makeover

Other News and Links:

• Here is the Portu-Greek Cafe Facebook page, which is kept up to date.
• A week before the makeover, all of the volunteer spots to help out were already filled. (Link)
• In an article shortly after the makeover, it said that owner Jordan Lindiakos "pestered the network for two years before the show's producers took notice."  He was happy with the makeover stating, "This is better than hitting the multimillion-dollar lottery.  It's priceless."
• Here are 7 restaurant inspections for Portu-Greek Cafe, with the most recent being in 2010.
• The restaurant had new hours starting in May (a month after the makeover) and started opening for lunch.  They also started opening on Sundays for brunch (Link)


• Portu-Greek Cafe is already listed For Sale.  Here is the listing, which states "Waterfront Restauraunt or Commercial Investment Space Available. This 5 unit commercial building has been converted to a 3 unit commercial building. The property is zoned C2. This is a great location on a canal and is near Hudson Beach. The location has high traffic and high visibility. There is parking on site and most of the units are currently rented. The building currently has a restaurant which has been completely remodeled that will go along with the sale. Restaurant also for purchase independently. If sold with the restaurant, goodwill, and fixtures included. Convenience store occupies the other unit and has been operating at this location for close to 15 years. The remaining unit is vacant. The property has a great income earning potential. Make your appointment to see this property today!"
• The listing also said the property was listed for sale in June 2013 for $450,000 and the price was raised (or re-listed at a different price) on May 28, 2014 for $625,000.  A $10,000 renovation resulted in an increase of $175,000?

Conclusion:

There were not too many reviews of Portu-Greek Cafe since the Restaurant Impossible makeover, but the ones that existed were all positive.  Even the reviews before the makeover were positive and all of the people seem to like the food.  A few reviews said something about the location, so it may not be in the best location.

The fact that the restaurant was trying to get on the show for two years, and the fact that they are listed for sale with an increased price makes you think that they did the show for a free makeover with the hopes of increasing the value for their property.  I guess the only ones that know for sure are the owners.

UPDATE - Portu Greek is now closed.  In November, 2017, they posted on Facebook, "To all of our Portu-Greek Family and Friends. Let me be perfectly on POINT. I have been asked this many times now and I want to make it clear, OUR FAMILY SOLD THE PORTU-GREEK LOCATION ALONG WITH THE EQUIPMENT. While doing this, a lease was signed for one year and the NEW OWNER had requested to take over our phone number and menu. We agreed and a month or two later they decided, due to a leak in the roof she would use this as an excuse and move all the equipment and take many items not hers to a new location. I have heard she is saying we are still involved, which is not TRUE. I have been privately messaged and as I have suggested to all others, please make all your comments on, THEIR FACEBOOK, TRIP AD VISOR, YELP, ETC. I can't fix this problem and I am very sorry it turned out this way. We would like to thank all of our Friends and Family we gained over our ten years of service and only hope you find what you are looking for in your dining experience. Sorry for the late response as I do not follow the Portu-Greek Face Book page as often as maybe I should."


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