In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen interviews Lee Pantazis, owner of Gus’s Hot Dogs and culinary director at the Kelly and Redmont hotels in Birmingham, Alabama. Pantazis shares his passion for the restaurant industry and his commitment to preserving the nostalgic feel of Gus’s while providing customers with an escape and a sense of care. He emphasizes the importance of customer feedback, promptly addressing any issues to ensure satisfaction, and expresses gratitude for the positive press and support from the community.
Throughout the episode, Pantazis discusses the challenges and rewards of operating in the service industry, highlighting the need for fair compensation and the value of the employer-employee relationship. He shares his belief in helping others. Pantazis also discusses the success and creative fulfillment derived from pop-up events and food truck ventures, giving credit to colleagues who supported and guided him in these endeavors. The conversation also touches on the importance of work-life balance, delegation and the essential role of support from family and colleagues in his success. The episode concludes with a discussion on the value of supporting local businesses, the collaborative culture among business owners in Birmingham and Pantazis’s efforts to elevate the city’s food scene through his work at local hotels.
Mentioned in this episode:
Bud and Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant
Hot-Dogopolis by Southern Foodways Alliance
Philoxenia documentary by Jessica Chriesman
Ohm Jiu Jitsu and branding company, A. Studio That Works