THE CONDES FAMILY BEGINS

by the Condes Family

Did you realize that besides Condes Restaurant and Condes Grocery/Deli, that the Condes family also operated the Condes Drive-In and the Black Steer Steak House & Lounge.  The Cozy Cafe, a fruit market, Wow-Wee  and Condes Lounge & Restaurant on the Northside of Chicago over the years. 

It all began when Demetrios (James) Condes arrived in the States from a Greek village of Niata,  Sparta, Greece.  This was after he and his brother made their way over on a freighter to Ellis island, then made his way to Minneapolis, making a living by selling produce on a push cart.

Another push cart person (competitor) who recognized Demetrios' broken English and directed him to speak to a policeman by voicing a swear word (S.O.B.) which insulted the officer.  Well, Demetrios ended up in jail overnight.  The main reason for the brief sentence was that Demetrios was peddling goods without a license.

Demetrios and his brother worked as roofers/tinsmiths on the construction of Chicago's main post office.  Demetrios also owned a grocery/sundries store at Ashland & Irving Pk., Chicago. 

In 1917 Demetrios' friend told him he would introduce a woman to him, also from Greece, from a village outside of Tripoli...if he would pay her way over.

BEGINNING OF FAMILY

Demetrios brought over Maria Catsavis and her mother,  sight unseen.  Maria was only 17 and Demetrios was 34.  Maria's brother, George was also instrumental with this introduction. 

The family story goes that within a year first born son, George who was followed by Aphrodite-Ethel, Peter, Sam, Chrisanthy, Georgia and Christopher.  All seven shared their father's middle name.  The boys middle name was Demtetrios and the girls Demetria. 

Two were born in Oklahoma and Arkansas and the rest in the Midwest in  Chicago, Hammond, and East Chicago.   Their beginnings began in 1924 in Whiting/Robertsdale. 

FAMILY BUSINESSES FOUNDED 

Demetrios and Maria's move to Whiting was the start of the family grocery and restaurant dynasty which became the largest catering business in the Calumet Region for several years all from humble beginnings.

In 1924 when the family moved here, Demetrios and Maria opened a small restaurant on 119th St. called the Cozy Cafe.  It was their first business and it was a success...until it burned down.

Never ones to give up, the couple next opened a produce store on 119th in the lot that later become Saylor's Paint store, Cheap Seats and now The Junk Yard.

As a young boy, Pete would go to the Chicago produce wholesalers with his dad and learn from watching Demetrios deal with sellers.  Demetrios' honest and fair ways also taught his sons how to treat customers.  An art that made all the Condes brothers successful.

Next, Demetrios and Maria opened a grocery store at 1116 119th.  They ran the store along with their sons and daughters.  George, Pete, Sam and Chris grew up working in the store every day for long hours.  That's what families were expected to do. 

Daughter, Aphrodite-Ethel was “Miss Whiting”  during a contest held at the Whiting Community Center.  But when it was time for her position in a line-up for Miss Indiana, her father would not allow it.  Aphrodite-Ethel had also been a “pin-up girl” during the 1940's.

Later, Aphrodite married Gus Tsouchlos.  George married Mary Bousalis, 2 children.  Peter married Angie Tsouchlos, 2 children.  Sam Married Catherine Paul, 8 children.  Chrisanthy married Paul Hegedus, 2 children, Georgia married Jay Harbin, 2 children. Chris married Lorena Hershberger, 2 chidren which gave Yiaya and Papou 18 grandchildren. 

THE CONDES GROCERY STORE 

In an article about Pete Condes, he was quoted as saying “my first love was the grocery business”

He said that if not for their mother, the family would not be in business all those years.

She was a very hard worker and taught this to her sons George, Pete, Sam and Chris, all of whom grew up working with their parents in the grocery store as well as her daughters.  One rule Demetrios insisted on, was not to speak Greek while customers were present.  “They may think we're talking about them!”  he advised. 

Maria took it one step further at the Grocery store.  She never really learned to read or write in English.  Maria educated herself by memorizing names of products by packaging and where inventory was arranged and placed on shelves.

During the 1930s the Condes family was also known for its homemade ice cream, which was made at their grocery store long after the store was closed for the evening.  The whole family participated in this production.  Once the Drive-In opened in 1950 their famous ice cream was served there.

 AFTER THE WAR 

With the arrival of WWII, their three eldest, George, Pete and Sam, left to serve time overseas. Youngest brother Chris, not of age to join the service, remained home and operated the ice cream business.  Chris even peddled it around the neighborhood on the 3 wheeler ice cream bike. 

While their sons were in the service, her grandson, Jim Pete told the story how the brothers would send their service money back home to their mother.  Maria (Mrs. Condes) used to take the envelopes and push them down between the wooden stairs that led to the basement.  After the war they tore the bottom steps out.  There was the money she had saved as “seed money” for the Condes Drive In restaurant. 

 THE DRIVE-IN 

In 1950, Papou (Demetrios) summoned his sons back to Whiting because he decided that they would open a Drive-In restaurant that all his sons would operate and work together.  At the time George was in New Mexico and Chris was in Italy while in the army.  Papou's word was final!

Also, during the mid 1950's, Demetrios brought his grandnephews, John and Peter Condes to Whiting to join the family and businesses.  Later on, grandnephews, Dino and Nick Condes arrived. 

During the mid 50's, for 2.5 years, Sam and George opened Condes Restaurant & Lounge, located on the north side of Chicago at the  corner of Grandville and Kenmore. Chicago's very own, Ken Nordine emceed as well as recite his poetry.  There was live jazz music on weekends. 

The Drive-In was built at 1440 Indianapolis BL. In 1950.  adjacent to Art's Drive-In. The grandsons said their dads would work on the Condes property...then grab a meal from Art's. 

Maria's grandsons said of their Yiaya (Grandmother)...”She'd be at the Drive-In and outwork all of our fathers/uncles and make them feel like slackers!” 

Grandson, Jim Pete, was just a young boy then and said that watching his uncles build the new Drive-In gave him topics for all his “what did you do over the summer” essays for school. 

CONDES CATERING 

Their first catering event was in 1953.  Little did they realize that their catering would make them well known all over the Region. Their first endeavor was at the Hammond Masonic Lodge.  Everything they used was rented, but the good word spread and their business flourished.  This made the brothers confident enough to own their own equipment.   

Of the four brothers, Sam was relegated best at running the catering and booking parties.  In 1975 they moved the catering operation to Calumet College.  They were also the sole caterers for the Wicker Park Social center.  They even catered for the White Sox, A Purple Heart Cruise, Chicago., Bobby Kennedy and Ed Vrdolyak. 

The Condes family were the prime caterers during local strikes which included Amoco, Nipsco and Union Carbide.   They were to provide three full meals a day on the premises. During 1970 from June to February, they were locked in the Union Carbide plant feeding management and supervisors.  “Yes, we brought food in with refrigerated trucks. Our nephew, David, was there washing pots and pans.  But no one ever crossed the picket line.” 

The second floor of the restaurant at 1440 Indianapolis hosted private and public affairs. from weddings and anniversaries to Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.  Most popular and successful was the themed International Nights.   There was everything from Italian, French, Irish, German, Polish, Circus, even Halloween events! Of course, their most popular was GREEK Night. OPA!  Each themed event touted a menu and live music to correspond with the theme.  The Dimitri Room held and accommodated all the larger events.  There was also a smaller VIP room on the second floor. 

The second floor housed its own kitchen as well as the offices. The Box lunches were assembled, boxed then delivered to clients such as Amoco, Sinclair Oil and Union Carbide plants.  Many of us grandkids worked from packing the boxes and driving the Condes Catering vans to their destinations.  We had three deliveries per day to each refinery and plant.   

THE BLACK STEER 

Backing up a bit.  The Condes brothers bought the Black Steer Restaurant and Lounge a few doors down from their Drive-In.  (1516 Indianapolis Bl.) It was here where their goal was to offer sophisticated dining. The Black Steer was touted “best steak house in town” as well as being known for their prime rib and seafood.  The lounge that was noted to be the hot spot in the area, according to the Lake Region Post of 1958.

Let's not forget the popular WOW-WEE eatery on Indianapolis Blvd. across from Arnies. It was operated and run by John Michael Condes and his wife Crissy for ten years. 

CONDES RESTAURANT 

With the success of the catering business, the brothers decided that the Drive-In should become a fully equipped high-end restaurant and lounge with banquet facilities.  So, during the early 60's the expansion, addition and remodeling began.

The new structure was built right over the existing building and they never closed the Drive-In except for one day when the first floor roof was removed. 

Pete's hobby was working with tools, (a natural talent) and he worked day and night helping to build, remodel, while the expansion took place.  Pete, of course, would oversee the progress with a watchful eye.  

While Sam was in charge of the catering, you'd find Chris as the kitchen manager and Pete taking care of all the “nuts & bolts” of their venue.  George became the manager and bartender of the lounge. 

The new restaurant was an immediate hit, but the brothers did not sit on their laurels.

In addition to their well created “International Nights,” like their father, the Condes brothers were never without a new innovated and fun ideas to promote their business and make it even better!  They even created the “Condes Capers” which were group trips to various well known football games.  The Rose Bowl being one of them, another was a trip to Greece. 

One could relax in the lounge and enjoy the piano/organ tunes of James Crist. This was the place where St John's Marian Theater Guild members and performers would congregate, especially after the play. 

Always wanting the community to feel a part of the business, the Condes brothers ran a contest for people to come up with a name for the large banquet room and a name for the smaller private room. The prize for the Dimitri Room was a portable TV.  The winner for the smaller VIP room was a Polaroid Camera. 

The brothers advertised the rooms as “Eloquence with economy.”  And in the ads described the large room as exquisite with plush red pattered carpeting, with rich walnut and teak wood trim as well with black and gold flocked wallpaper with antique mirrors. 

Probably the one story that shows how close they were with their customers is that every Thanksgiving, when the restaurant was closed for the holiday, folks would bring their turkeys over to the restaurant to be baked in their giant rotating Faulds oven.  At times there'd be as many as 60 turkeys in the oven.    

“Who else but the Condes' would do something like that these days,” said Sam Jr., Sam's son. 

As explained by the children of the brothers and sisters.  “Our family restaurant employed all races, religions and ages and there wasn't any tolerance for discrimination on the Condes table.” 

MEMORIES 

The 60's-70's were definitely growth years for the Condes family but not without its sadness.  Their beloved father, Demetrios, passed away in 1967. And in a tragic kitchen accident in 1977,  Pete suffered burns on over 50% of his body.  He soon retired but passed away in 1982. 

The 40 year old restaurant was so popular that when it closed, loyal customers came by to pick up a brick. This was actually after being dormant for a couple of years due to an electrical fire that had started on the second floor.   

Our dear Yiaya (Grandmother) Maria Condes, passed away in 1985 with her daughters at her side. 

One may remember the mouth watering Chicken and dumplings from the Condes Deli which replaced the grocery store.  It was owned and operated by Dean and Helen Condes in the 1980's. 

At the restaurant...a favorite of many was the Saganaki flaming cheese...while hearing the soundof an enthusiastic...”OPA!”  It brought a touch of Greek-Town to Whiting. 

In an interview about their popularity, Pete was quoted as saying...”It's good food.  My ads always say, my customer is always right.  If they complain, you take care of them.  If we make a mistake we will fix it.” 

Earlier, Pete was quoted saying “if you want to sacrifice all of your time, the restaurant business is a profitable venture, but I suggest one should try to limit his working hours and spend more time with family.” 

As patriarch, father and head of the Condes family, Demetrios designed a Condes family crest. On it is the lamp, shaking of the hands, a cross of two swords and a lion. The meaning behind its symbols is the perfect example of what the family believed in and more importantly...lived:  friendship, unity, knowledge and faith. 

The extended Condes family sincerely thanks all those who supported us through the years and left us with precious memories.

It is said-that our heart is where our treasure is...and the Condes family treasures Whiting, Robertsdale.