About Us
From our Family to Yours
We look forward to meeting you and calling you family. We hope to travel throughout the DFW area first and expand later. Keep up with us on social media for our next location. We can't wait to serve you, and prepare you authentic, healthy, and crazy delicious Greek favorites. OPA!
Roasting a lamb?
Don't worry, we won't pull up at your event and roast a lamb in front of your family. But we could... For fun? No?
Get to Know Our Family
Share your stories with us through email or social media. Share your photos too so we can feature them on here. And don't forget - nothing beats a family hug so make sure you come to see us in person.
Meet our Inspiration:
Jorgo (George) Betondo
Original. Authentic. Real. George has been there and done that. His rich Greek history, blockbuster-movie-ready adventure stories, and genuine family recipes, make him the Godfather of Greek Food. We are opening Plaka’s™ in his honor, to continue in his legacy, and share his wisdom and delicious food with the world.
A Life Well Lived
More of George's Story
Did he just wake up one day and decide he wanted to cook for a living? The life of a hero usually has a lot more depth in history than that. George's life led him through many waters and uncharted territories which served as stepping stones to his final frontiers in life: Greek restaurants.
Jorgo (George) was born and raised in Athens, Greece, where his family still resides and where he visits often. Jorgo quickly became successful in various business’, among which were many Greek restaurants, confirming his main passion for real Greek food. Jorgo started the restaurants, led the team to a streamlined process, developed a tried and proven concept in the US using drive-through, and also served as a consultant. Among the many successful restaurants Jorgo has created and sold is the most recent in Georgetown, TX, named Plaka Greek Cafe. Under Jorgo’s leadership, the restaurant received the “Best Ethnic Food” award each year, and continued to do so after ownership change, as the established customer base still keeps it a local favorite.
However, for Jorgo it was not about the awards, but the people he loved to serve. His original recipes, and successful restaurant ownership experience will provide a stable and long lasting foundation for Plaka’s™. His determination to succeed and achieve whatever he sets his mind to has been an inspiration to all who have had the pleasure of knowing him.
George (Jorgo) began working at an early age, shining shoes and selling street food in Greece to help his family. He later moved to Holland, where he frequented many Greek restaurants and began dreaming of owning his own place one day. From Holland, George sailed on several ships where he worked in various capacities, traveling from Japan to Argentina, and finally to Houston, Tx, where he remained after meeting his wife.
It did not take long for George to start a business, a machine shop, in 1978. The business became very lucrative and he used some of the profits to purchase Jim’s Cafeteria in Houston in 1986, and yet another machine shop. After the tragic death of his wife to cancer, George moved to Austin, where he opened Zorba’s Greek restaurant in 2001. George sold his part in 2003, but with direction from George, Zorba’s continues to thrive and has several locations, even multiple expansion cafes called Tinos Greek Cafe. One can safely say, “if it’s Greek food, George had a part in making it happen in Austin.”
It was during this transition George and Zlata met and married, opening Athenian Grill in the downtown area of Austin, shortly after realizing their mutual love for authenticity, food, and laughter. After selling Athenian Grill in 2006, they started Plaka Greek Cafe in 2008, and enjoyed running it together for eight years. It was at Plaka that the Betondos realized their significance in the world, as they brought numerous communities, and people from all walks of life together over delicious meals.
George and Z’s names are recorded on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor at the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island. They are a proven, real-life success story, of how hope can be restored to poor immigrants in our Land of Opportunity. They currently reside in the Austin area and are an inspiration for the hospitality and authentic food and culture of Plaka’s Greek Kitchen™.
Always an Adventure
Snyder Family Influence
Daniel began his employment by working for a family friend in Austin at Reale’s Italian Restaurant (realespizza.com). He spent his college years managing and running Austin’s favorite pizza place, Conans Pizza (conanspizzaaustin.com). Through various customer service roles, business management roles, and retail/restaurant management roles (as well as working as a security and club supervisor for a premier Dallas restaurant/club) Daniel has learned and grown from his management experience and is ready to sow his training into our own endeavor.
As previously mentioned, the Snyder kids are ready to step up and help in the restaurant endeavor in any way needed. They better! Oli's sister Jelena, a marketing genius, is also lending her expertise, and we will most likely involve other family members and friends into this too.
Daniel’s parents have been involved in so many catering ventures, it is hard to keep up! From being the current main catering option for their church, to their Cedar Lodge startup that catered to weddings, conferences, business retreats and more (cedarlodgetexas.com), they have surely passed down the entrepreneurship to Daniel and Oli. The most recent venture is working in partnership to accommodate catering services to Gateway Church, owning a barbecue food truck for events, and supporting Snyder family members with their restaurant business in PA.
Oli’s mom began selling desserts to Whole Foods, (wholefoodsmarket.com) shortly after immigrating to America from the former Yugoslavia in 1985. Zlata was a key player in the beginning stages of Whole Foods’ engagement in Austin’s communities. After the opening of their second location, Zlata made cakes, eclairs, and cream puffs and sold them to Whole Foods as they concentrated on their expansion, and helped their bakery receive exceptional accolades. Zlata used her cooking skills to feed and support the neighborhood in South Austin and also sell bakery items not only to Whole Foods but to other entities.
Aside from business ventures, the Snyders love to cook at home, host parties, and gather over meals with friends and family. Can't get any more local than these TX roots, but when traveling, sharing in new cultures and cuisines is our favorite experience.
How can we Help
We'd love to hear about your experience with Plaka's and any suggestions you may have are welcome. We want to do all we can to be here serving you for the long haul.
Oli Snyder
Connecting it all
Oli (Olivera) Snyder has excelled in retail and restaurant management for over 14 years. With vast experience in entrepreneurship, business, marketing, and customer relations, Oli has managed various retail business’ from K-Mart to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, including a local Tarrant County restaurant and bar. Oli’s expertise lies in training and developing leaders and company teams, strategic planning, and vision-casting to meet client’s expectations of success in their respective industry. From business consulting and advising, to strategic planning and growth, Oli counsels global organizations to success. While working as a pastor at Gateway Church, Oli was responsible for managing a multi-million dollar budget, and creatively assisting global ministries and churches, providing accountability and business counseling (linkedin.com/in/olisnyder).
Oli came to Texas with her family from the former Yugoslavia, modern-day Serbia, in 1985. While enjoying home-cooked feasts from a young age, Oli adopted a knack for quality and excellence. Her step-dad, Jorgo Betondo, a native Athenian, taught her all about what Greek food should really taste like. She and her family have traveled the US trying to find a Greek restaurant whose menu is as appealing and food as tasty as her dad’s, only to come away with the unrelenting inspiration and creative concept for Plaka’s™. Oli’s passion is to present the elevated Greek dining concept in her community, city, state, and country. This is just the beginning!
Family Legacy
Oli and Daniel met in Austin, Tx while Oli was still in high school and hanging out at the local Conans Pizza, Daniel managed. After marrying in 1996, they moved to the DFW area where they started a family and began their new adventures. All three of their beautiful kids were born in Fort Worth and have been the greatest encouragers towards this venture. Their oldest daughter is now married and the young couple is already setting goals for another Plaka’s™ after exploring the European influence within the Chicago area, where they currently live. Their middle daughter is currently at Baylor University in Waco, studying entrepreneurship, and their son is loving his baseball career, although he plans on working at Plaka’s through high school. All in the family!
Love God. Love People.
Oli has traveled the world and wants to share her love of culture and fresh, delicious cuisines, with her home state, Texas. "This is my local, my home, my future. God has provided for us through Texas more than we could have dreamed about, and we want to give back to our community. My goal is to keep growing, and help other women entrepreneurs in the process."
