The success story of the restaurant on Backes in Neunkirchen

The success story of the restaurant on Backes in Neunkirchen

in Neunkirchen, a charming place in the Siegerland, the restaurant "Am Backes" celebrates a remarkable anniversary: for 33 years it has been under the direction of the Greek couple Efthalia "Litza" Katsanou and Vasileios "Vasili" Liapatis. This traditional pub has developed into a popular meeting place for locals over the years and is now an integral part of the local catering scene.

The history of this restaurant is inextricably linked to the 2004 European Football Championship. On July 4, 2004, the pub experienced one of its greatest celebrations when the Greek national team won the European Championship led by coach Otto Rehhagel. This not only led to cheers in the city, but also to the introduction of the famous “Otto plate” on the menu, a delicious mix of German currywurst and Greek gyros, which is still popular today.

The beginnings in the hospitality industry

It was a decision that had to be made quickly. Litza's mother encouraged the two to take over a restaurant in Neunkirchen. "There was not much time to think about it," Litza looks back at this time. They received support from their family and from the local Volksbank, which they supported with a loan to realize their dream.

The name "Am Backes" is reminiscent of the original use of the building in which bread was once baked. After a short training phase by the previous owner, Litza and Vasili took over the restaurant. The early years were associated with a lot of hard work, but the two quickly felt comfortable in Neunkirchen. "People were very friendly to us," recalls the innkeeper.

commitment and challenges

The couple copes with all aspects of their business themselves - from cooking to cleaning to administrative tasks. You get support from two temporary helpers and Litza's mother. "You can't survive with a lot of staff," explains Litza, "stable health is a basic requirement." Corona pandemic was an additional challenge, but they also mastered this time.

Leisure activities are often neglected in the fast world of the hospitality. Vasili is a big fan of Borussia Dortmund and occasionally finds time to visit games. Litza, on the other hand, loves reading, particularly exciting crime novels. Despite the hectic everyday life, they appreciate the long relationships with their regular customers. "It is like a family that would be missing if we retire," says Litza and indicates that stopping is not planned for the time being.

Over the years, many guests have conquered a place in the "backes", and the family atmosphere helps to ensure that humanity likes to come back. It remains to be seen how the history of this unique restaurant will develop, but the two hosts are firmly up to their roots and community.