From Greece to the Midway: The John the Greek Story

For more than 30 years, the aroma of sizzling gyro meat and warm pita has drifted through the N.C. State Fair, leading hungry fairgoers straight to one man: John Koutoufaris — or as most people know him, John the Greek. Since 1992, his family‑run operation has introduced generations of North Carolinians to classic Greek favorites like gyros, shish kebobs, stuffed grape leaves and crisp Greek salads.

Just across from John’s booths, his wife Constance serves up her own fair staples, serving oversize slices of hot pizza piled high with both traditional and more adventurous toppings. Their son, Constantino, works alongside John, making it truly a three‑generation operation.

Koutoufaris’ journey to becoming a fair staple began long before fairgoers lined up for his gyros.

“I left the old country at 14,” he said. After moving to Pittsburgh to live with his uncle, he worked his way up through the restaurant world — first as a busboy, then a waiter, and eventually a cook. His big inspiration came unexpectedly in Gary, Indiana, where he noticed food trailers parked outside a mall. “That planted the seed,” he said.

That seed grew quickly. John and his brother returned home to open Ikaros, a Greek restaurant in Pittsburgh. By 1978, Koutoufaris took his food on the road, starting with a local church festival. From there, the business grew, sending the family to fairs and festivals across Pennsylvania and eventually through North and South Carolina, spending their summers and falls traveling from event to event.

Landing a spot at the N.C. State Fair was one of John’s dreams — a dream he chased with persistence.

“I remember sitting outside the fair manager’s office in 1992 because we wanted a spot,” John said. When he finally got one, the manager warned him it was the worst space on the grounds. “I took it,” John says. “You take what you can get, and you make it work.”

Back then, Greek food wasn’t yet a staple at fairs. Many visitors had never tasted a gyro before.
“We used to sample the meat just to get people to try it,” he says. “Once they saw it tasted good, we built customers from there. I learned that if you do a good job, and people trust you, you’ll be okay.”

Now, more than five decades of marriage later, John and Constance have a growing family that includes grandchildren — all of whom pitch in when they can. And for countless fairgoers, visiting John the Greek for a gyro or grabbing a slice of Constance’s pizza isn’t just a meal. John the Greek hasn’t just served food at the N.C. State Fair — he’s become part of its tradition.

John the Greek is located near the entrance of the midway near the Powers Great American Midway entry way arch.