Our Family History
Romana's Italian Kitchen has been a family run restaurant in historic Johnstown, New York since 1974! We're driven to provide the most authentic dining experience as well as providing you with phenomenal take out options to bring to your home. Created by Sam Vahaviolos, Pete Zaharius and John Poulas, the three men created from the ground up our reputation throughout this small quaint town we call home. In 1979, Sam returned to his home of Greece to which he would marry his wife Antonia, raise his two sons Konstatinos (Dino) and Tryfonos, and create a life for his family. In the following years to come (1985 to be exact) Sam would take over the business on his own to continually grow and build what was already established upon, while also managing his restaurant in Gloversville, NY for the time being, alongside his own personal business of producing/selling home made marinara sauce throughout the area.
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In 1988, Sam and Antonia decided to move to Worcester, MA where they planned to raise their sons with Greek family traditions. For the next six years, until 1994, he would commute back and forth to Johnstown, NY to run his growing business. But as the customer base grew, he found himself renovating Romana's three times, the last being in 1989. |
As we approach closer to present day, in 2009 Sam purchased the old Ponderosa building only a few blocks down. Instead of turning this into the new Romana's, Sam decided to open a new restaurant in it's location we now know as Sam's Seafood Steakhouse. A different atmosphere than Romana's, Sam's is geared toward a different set of meals and is home to the Adirondack bar. With live music and a family friendly atmosphere, Sam's Seafood Steakhouse was perfect for fine dining or a casual meal.
With both locations growing quickly, Sam entrusted his son Dino to manage Romana's Italian Kitchen while Sam manages Sam's Seafood Steakhouse just next door. Our family strives to create an atmosphere you will never forget and an experience you will want to have over and over again.
With both locations growing quickly, Sam entrusted his son Dino to manage Romana's Italian Kitchen while Sam manages Sam's Seafood Steakhouse just next door. Our family strives to create an atmosphere you will never forget and an experience you will want to have over and over again.