Continental Greek Restaurant Closing After 45 Years

There will be no belly dancing Sunday night at the U-District's iconic Continental Greek Restaurant & Pastry Shop because Sunday, June 30, will be their last day of business.

The "bittersweet" announcement was made on the restaurant's Facebook page and confirmed to Eater by owner Demetre Lagos, whose parents bought into the original pastry shop in 1974 and took over two years later. Demetre has worked there for most of that time. "It's time for a break," he says, adding, "We're grateful to all of the people who have supported us over the years."

With the passing of the Continental, three Greek restaurants will have closed within the past year. Costas in Fremont, which became a bank, and First Hill Bar & Grill, which was taken over by Green Leaf's owner, are the others. Yanni's, a struggling Greek restaurant in Greenwood, was featured in an episode of Kitchen Nightmares earlier this year.

Hawaii BBQ, currently located five blocks further north along The Ave, will take over the Continental premises.

· Continental Greek Restaurant & Pastry Shop [Facebook]
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