Hellas Restaurant And Lounge Serves Authentic Food And Entertainment

When opening Hellas Restaurant and Lounge in Millersville 18 years ago, the Stavlas family knew they wanted to bring a unique concept to the area. They not only wanted to offer authentic Greek fare, but they also wanted to add local cuisine to their diverse menu.

“We like to think of it as the Chesapeake meets the Mediterranean,” explained John Stavlas, who shares general manager responsibilities with his brother, Mike.

Together, John and Mike run the restaurant along with their father, Gerasimos, who has more than 50 years of experience in the food industry. First-generation citizens, the brothers grew up in food service, working their way up from bus boys to proprietors.

Now, they manage Hellas, which offers sandwiches, subs, pasta, Greek specialties like baked pasticcio and gyro platters, seafood and steak – using local produce and ingredients to ensure a fresh product.

“We try to bring a gourmet element to the everyday casual fare and give everyone the opportunity to try haute cuisine,” said Mike, as a song by local band PASADENA played in the distance. “We are a local neighborhood establishment with value-conscious menus and an environment that attracts people to be regulars. We’re not so much a destination restaurant, even though people traveling from all over the country stop in to eat here.”

Just as diverse as Hellas’ food menu is the selection of drinks. “We offer a good beer selection, both draft and craft beers,” John emphasized. “We feature a lot of the harder-to-find beers, and right now, we are also carrying the summer ales, saisons, hoppy wheats, session pale ales and shandies. People tend to prefer those styles during warmer months. Our beer menu is updated and available through our Facebook page or the Untappd app at any time.”

It’s not just the food and beverages that attract guests. Hellas has pool tables and TVs broadcasting sports games. They host karaoke on Wednesday (8:00pm) and Saturday (9:00pm), trivia on Tuesday (7:00pm) and live music on Friday (9:00pm). And for those looking for a place to host their graduation party, luncheon or special event, Hellas has a separate banquet room.

“Not only do we have banquet facilities, but we accommodate large groups whether they have reservations or not,” Mike said.

In their nearly two decades of service, the Stavlas family has made invaluable connections, some of which can be found right in the restaurant. Some staff members started as high school students looking for summer jobs and were promoted over time.

In addition to having a homegrown staff, Hellas contributes to Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce functions and partners with local schools. Each contribution is part of a grassroots effort to help the community.

“It’s important to be a part of a community, not just to make a profit, but to establish roots and be involved,” Mike said. “We understand that people have choices and they choose to come here, so we want to give back.”

Hellas Restaurant and Lounge is located at 8498 Veterans Highway in Millersville. Dining room hours are 10:30am-10:00pm Monday through Thursday, 10:30am-11:00pm on Friday, 11:00am-11:00pm on Saturday and 11:00am-10:00pm on Sunday. For more information, visit www.hellasrestaurantandlounge.com or call 410-987-0948.