Lincoln Square Legend: Westside Restaurant

We are thrilled to highlight another Lincoln Square Legend: Westside Restaurant! This neighborhood favorite is a restaurant you may not have read about before - this is because Westside Restaurant’s owner, Gus Benetos, is a staunch believer in the “word-of-mouth” approach to marketing. In the fifty-five years since Westside Restaurant first opened its doors, Gus has never once paid for advertising. Nevertheless, Westside Restaurant has seen remarkable success and earned itself a loyal following amongst Upper West Siders.

Gus’s story, and that of Westside Restaurant’s founding, is testament to the grit and determination that came to be synonymous with the “American Dream.” Gus, who grew up on Chios, a Greek island, moved to the U.S. at 18 years old seeking opportunity outside of the island's agricultural niche (Chios’s economy is centered around the cultivation and export of mastic gum, a rare resin found exclusively on the island). Upon arriving in the U.S., Gus moved in with his mother’s cousin who tragically passed away only a few months later, leaving Gus alone in the foreign country. Nevertheless, Gus, determined to make a life for himself in America, carried on and found work for himself at the American Restaurant (formerly 68th St and Broadway). Gus’s tenacity paid off and, five years later, he was able to purchase partial ownership of the restaurant. In 1970 he oversaw its relocation to its current home at 2020 Broadway (Broadway at 69th Street), where he eventually bought out his partner, assumed full ownership of the business, and renamed it Westside Restaurant (though Gus still lovingly refers to it as “my baby”).

The neighborhood has changed a great deal since Gus opened Westside Restaurant, but the restaurant’s familial environment helps to keep the close-knit community feel alive. Walking into the Westside Restaurant, you will be greeted by a photo of Gus’s family smiling down at you from their perch above the cash register. Many of Gus’s children worked in the restaurant, and the patrons who have been visiting for years know the whole family. The staff, a family in its own right, includes men and women who have been working with Gus for 40+ and 50+ years.       

 Gus with his son Costas 

Westside Restaurant boasts a cozy interior with booths lined up against large windows offering natural light that compliments the eatery’s classic woodwork. Old city photos line the walls while a central countertop accompanied by high-top stools provides casual seating for a quick bite.

The restaurant offers friendly service and an extensive menu that includes everything from omelets, salads, and pastas to classic burgers made with Black Angus beef and a variety of craft coffee beverages. Despite the menu’s size everything is made fresh to order.

Perhaps the best testament to the restaurant’s success is a quote from Gus himself. When asked what he is most proud of (outside of his family) Gus replied with the following: “If I could do it all again, I wouldn’t change anything.”

Westside Restaurant is open daily from 7:00am - 10:00pm. If you’re lucky, Gus may treat you to a story while you enjoy your freshly-made meal.