Southport Diner Reopens, Looks To Rekindle Role In The Community

FAIRFIELD, CT — A longstanding local eatery has been revamped, and the owner hopes to see it once again become a favorite go-to for the community.

Southport Diner, which for decades was the Athena Diner at 3350 Post Road—just west of exit 19 on I-95—faced some challenges with coronavirus restrictions, virtually closed the entire time.

But it’s now back in business with a refurbished flavor integrated into class diner fare.

“It’s old school meets modern eating,” said owner Tony Pertesis, who virtually grew up in the diner business. His father, Leo Pertesis, has owned and operated the Andros Diner on Villa Avenue since 1973, where Tony worked in a range of roles since he was young.

“Especially in the glory days, it was the most colorful show of all,” he said of the diner, recounting the collection of “Broadway characters” that frequented the 24-hour venue.

“I feel like a diner is a place where people like to go late at night,” he said, hoping to keep expanding Southport Diner’s hours.

Having been born to the business, having the DNA in his system, as he describes—like so many of his extended family—Pertesis was moved to purchase the old Athena last spring in the hopes of bringing it back to its former glory.

Homemade classic diner dishes make it a unique spot. Along with freshly made classic Greek items like mousakka, spanakopita and fresh baklava, there are other specialties like homemade corned beef hash and Tony’s grilled chicken pita with his special sauce creation.

“I’m on top of every dish that’s here,” Pertesis said. “I make everything that I would want to eat.”

They’re also offering some specials to help generate new business, including special kids’ meals and 99-cent egg sandwiches.

Along with food—and some new specialty drinks—the new diner also takes pride in its staff, which is composed of several caring veterans. Among them are Cindy Nishball, who began working at the Athena in 1987.

“The food is just better than it was with Athena, and it’s better energy,” she said of her new place.

“I love my job and I love the customers,” Nishball said. “They’re so happy that we’re open again.”

Peter Tzavellas, co-manager and veteran of the Andros, also praised the strength of the food, management and the staff of the new place.

“There’s a good energy in the air,” he said. “We kind of put the best of the best together and it’s a pleasure to work here.”

While the diner reopened just weeks ago, Pertesis said he is already looking ahead to hire more staff and expand the hours.

“I’d like to make it go back to 24 hours, at least on the weekend … I see the kids have no place to go,” he said, so his hope is that the new Southport Diner could also become a safe, central go-to place for young people in town.