Uncle George's Greek Tavern, Fixture Of Astoria Closes

The closing of a beloved Greek eatery has signified the end of an era in Astoria’s trendy restaurant scene.

Uncle George’s Greek Tavern, established in 1978, was forced out of its longtime storefront in the heart of a busy neighborhood. The lawyer for the new landlord said, the famed restaurant owed close to $55,000 in back rent.

“It deeply saddens our clients to be forced to close down what was considered an institution in this community,” said attorney Taso Pardalis. “Unfortunately, the current financial picture did not justify continuing business at this long-lasting location.”

The owners left the site earlier this month, leaving a vacant space in the hearts of many.

“The closure diminished the Astoria restaurant world.” Said local customer and Community Board 1 member George Stamatiades. “When you went into Uncle George’s and closed the door, you thought you were in Greece.

Stamatiades, who was a regular for the last 30 years, said he hopes that the restaurant will rebound elsewhere.

With new restaurants constantly emerging in local neighborhoods, competition is fierce. Local eateries can’t coast of their history alone.