The cozy original dining room greets visitors with tranquil, old-world charm. (Photo by Rod Aydelotte)

Owner Aris Galanis bakes fresh bread daily for lunch and dinner crowds.
Photo by Rod Aydelotte

Mediterranean flair in the heart of Central Texas is what 1424 Bistro offers its diners. Located at 1424 Washington Ave. on the edge of downtown Waco, the restaurant is owned by Aris Galanis.

A native of the Greek isle of Rhodes, he came to Texas three decades ago to study at Abilene Christian University.

Aris had never been to America before attending college here.

“It was a new adventure,” he said.

That adventure led to romance. At ACU, Aris met his wife, Kelly, who is from Waco.

They have been married for 29 years and have been in the restaurant business in Central Texas since 2002. Before taking over 1424 Bistro in 2007, the Galanis family operated Yianni’s restaurant in West.

The establishment served Greek and American food in a community best known for its Czech heritage. Aris named that location for his son (Yianni is Greek for John).

Although Yianni’s thrived, Aris later had the opportunity to own a restaurant in Waco.

A dramatic brick archway leads into the new addition at 1424, which includes a spacious brick-walled dining area, glass block windows and a private room for meetings or parties.
Photo by Rod Aydelotte

Aris said Bob O’Farrell, who owned 1424, asked him to take over the bistro.

“Bob was a friend of mine, and I wanted to help him out,” Aris said.

He operated both establishments for a five-month stretch in 2007, before deciding that the pace was just too much.

“I’ve been in the food business for 30 years, selling meat,” Aris said. “Being in the restaurant business is something that gives me a lot of satisfaction.

When asked what he enjoys most about the bistro, Aris doesn’t hesitate.

“The people — I love the people,” he said. “It’s nice to make new (food) creations. But the most important thing is the people you meet. And I’ve been blessed to meet some very nice people in this community.”

He said Central Texas has been very supportive of the restaurant.

Business has gone so well that Aris expanded the business earlier this year. He purchased the building next door and tripled the amount of dining space.

Plans for expansion haven’t stopped there, however.

A dining alcove in 1424’s new addition offers a perfect setting for romantic dinners and special occasions.
Photo by Rod Aydelotte

“Right now, I’m working on a bigger kitchen, he said. “Hopefully it will be ready by November, if everything goes right.”

He said the kitchen expansion will allow 1424 to add new food items to the menu.

“We’ll have more Mediterranean dishes and more variety,” he said.

Among the restaurant’s specialties are lamb shanks and lamb chops, etoufee, stuffed mahi mahi and orange roughy.

Aris said another staple of the restaurant is fresh bread, made daily.

The bistro also has an extensive wine menu, with dozens of varieties available.

Desserts include white and chocolate creme broulee and bread pudding.

1424 is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

A full menu is available at www.1424waco.com.

Shortly after Aris and Kelly were married, they returned to his homeland of Greece where they lived for 16 years. That’s where their three children, John, Dorothy and Lenna, were born.

The restaurant features an impressive wine list and romantic alcoves for sipping and dining.
Photo by Rod Aydelotte

“Kelly is from Waco, but I think she liked living in Greece, too,” he said. “It was a little different, but other than that, I think she had a good time.”

Kelly teaches special education for elementary students in the Connally school district.

Aris said he wanted his children to experience two cultures. They grew up in Greece, but came to America in 2000, when the youngest, Lenna, was 8.

John, a graduate of West High School, is majoring in Spanish at Baylor University. Dorothy, also a West High graduate, works for Wells Fargo. Lenna, a senior at Midway High School, is a member of the basketball team.

John said his family had visited America every four years, when he was 4, 8 and 12, before moving to Texas.

“It was confusing at first,” he said of the cross-continental move. “I missed seeing my grandparents and cousins in Greece. We still have a lot of family there. But I like Texas. I’ll have to see where my Spanish degree takes me, but I want to stay close to home.”

Aris said he was able to visit Greece a year and a half ago for the first time in eight years. He plans to visit Rhodes again around Christmas.

“I’d like to see my parents again — they’re getting old,” he said. “That was one of the difficulties of moving. Family is very important.”

The Galanis family (from left) standing: Lenna, 17, John (Yianni), 24, Dorothy, 23; sitting: Aris and Kelly.
Photo by Rod Aydelotte

Aris said he enjoys traveling, but the fast-paced restaurant business has kept him from venturing too far.

“It takes time to establish your business, but I’d like to visit the New England area,” he said. “Most of the time we’ve spent together as a family has been here at the restaurant.”

Lenna said leaving Rhodes and moving to a new place was “difficult and a little scary” a first. But she said it was also “exciting, and you make the best of it.”

She said working in a restaurant “definitely instills a work ethic. But you’re with family and it’s fun at times, because you’re with the people you love.”

Lenna said she isn’t planning to go into the family business after she finishes her education.

“I want to play basketball in college, and I want to be an architect,” she said. “I’ll build Dad a chain of restaurants.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Aris said with a laugh.

For now, however, customers who want to enjoy Aris’ specialties can visit 1424 Bistro.

Lamb shanks with seasoned red potatoes and broccoli for dinner, $24.95.
Photo by Rod Aydelotte

Chicken gyro made with a thick creamy sauce and fresh pita bread for lunch, $5.95.
Photo by Rod Aydelotte