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Community Corner

American or Greek: Comfort Food is All in The Family

Spinach pie with a Greek salad for lunch at Peppercorn Restaurant in Summit.

To say in Summit is a family place is an understatement.  Owners Gus and Voula Zaharopoulos have owned and operated this Summit institution for 25 years and their grown kids Lucy and Andreas have been helping out almost as long.  While the quaint luncheonette has an extensive menu of American fare such as pancakes, omelets and burgers, it's the authentic Greek dishes that makes this dining experience so special.

Gus came to the U.S. in 1972 after a stint as a cook in the Greek army.  He met Voula while on vacation back in his hometown of Galaxidi, a seaside village 2 1/2 hours west of Athens. In 1978, the newlyweds settled in Parsippany where they still live today.  However, as Voula says, "We just sleep in Parsippany, our home away from home is the Peppercorn.  We don't have family here in New Jersey, but we are so close with our customers, they are like family."

It isn't just the regulars that are made to feel like family.  The restaurant has a comfy genteel vibe and a throwback to another era where everyone has a smile amidst the bustle of the lunch rush.  The hum of the griddle, the chatter of the waitstaff and the good reliable food has made this an old-fashioned gem whether it's a family breakfast, business lunch or a table for one with a good book.

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The pride of the Zaharopoulos family is evident the minute you walk in the door.  Voula and her kids (helping out mom and dad for the time being) buzz around taking lunch orders and addressing nearly everyone on a first name basis while Gus is in the kitchen overseeing the cooking.  Greek specialties such as moussaka, pastistio, gyro sandwiches and spinach pies are all homemade by Gus.  Each comes with a small Greek salad or homemade soup.  The spinach pie ($8.25) in particular is typical Greek fare, but here it's bright and fresh, and beats the competition in flavor and freshness from here to Galaxidi.

The spinach pie is served as a large flaky pastry stuffed with loads of spinach, scallions, dill and feta cheese.  Baked until golden brown, it's yummy comfort food Greek-style.  This, combined with a small Greek salad which is really not so small has lots of chopped lettuce topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, red onions, olives and feta cheese.  The dressing, a light drizzle of oil and vinegar with oregano is refreshing and flavorful.  A perfect compliment to the richness of the spinach pie.  

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Gus's spinach pie is always on the menu and its a recipe that's been in the family repertoire for quite a while," I used to make it at home, but its too much work, so my husband makes it here.  It's something our customers want so we always have it," Voula added.

The Peppercorn is open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner until 5 p.m. (3 p.m. on Sundays).  Located in downtown Summit, park in the free lot behind the restaurant so you have lots of time to enjoy your meal and maybe have a nice chat with the Peppercorn family.

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