ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — John Hazakis ran his first diner when he was just 18 years old.
"This is my business," says the Greek man — a true diner prodigy! — about serving comfort food to all walks of life.
In Pennsylvania, especially around the Philadelphia area, John would eventually own nine diners, a way of life very much in his family's blood.
WATCH: Hot Spot Diner, owned by a Pennsylvania restaurateur, opens in St. Petersburg
John's latest diner, however, just opened in a much different climate, right here in Tampa Bay. On Tyrone Boulevard in St. Petersburg, to be exact.
Open seven days a week for breakfast (corned beef hash skillet) and lunch, the Hot Spot Diner (4045 Tyrone Blvd) takes over a space previously occupied by a First Watch.
John moved here for two reasons: better weather ("I love the sun and no snow!") and to cook next to his brother Paul ("We get along sometimes!").
The Hot Spot Diner serves up large portions of breakfast classics and traditional Greek fare (spinach pie, gyro).
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Sean Daly calls himself Tampa Bay 28’s "resident big kid". He puts his boundless energy into sharing stories about people doing good, things for you to do, and of course, theme parks. If you have an idea for Sean’s next adventure or "Daly Discovery", send him a message.
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