Monday, August 11, 2008

Skyland Restaurant

Mid-70's photo of the original Skyland

1969 ad

The current Skyland Restaurant


Jimmy Kakavitsas enjoying breakfast (served all day!)


Skyland Restaurant has had two lives in Charlotte restaurant history. The original Skyland Restaurant was opened by legendary Charlotte restauranteur Pete Politis in 1960 on South Blvd (near the intersection of Woodlawn Rd). Similar to other restaurants of the time (Knife & Fork, San Remo), Skyland was a family restaurant featuring everything from pizza and fried seafood to fried chicken and other traditional home-cooked classics. The original Skyland would run for 15 years, closing in 1975.

In 1994, Jimmy Kakavitsas reopened Skyland Restaurant about a 1/2 mile from the original location. Jimmy had worked for many years under Politis at several of Politis' different restaurants (including Tanner's). With the assistance of Politis, Kakavistis (along with partner Jimmy Apostolou) reopened Skyland in the former Plantation Family Restaurant location. The menu is similar to the original Skyland's menu, but the restaurant is opened 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Even though Pete Politis has long since retired from the restaurant business, he can be found most days at Skyland greeting customers just like in the old days.


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