About the Owner, Sotirios "Chris" Christoforou
How did this 30 year old Annapolis Institution come to be?
The story of Chris's Charcoal Pit began 60 years ago when Sotirios (Chris) Christoforou was born in London, England. Chris lost his mother Euthokia when he was only 3 years old. Chris's father Vasilios took him to be with his grandfather, Christoforos, and grandmother, Christina in Davlos, Cyprus. Chris learned his management skills from his grandfather who was a successful businessman and unofficial mayor of the town. The restaurant business was not Chris's first love. Chris's other grandfather, Papaphotiou, was a priest from the village of Flamoudi. Chris was inspired by this priest to enter the priesthood. Chris spent six years studying religion at the famous Kikko monastery and was also motivated by the Archbishop of Cyprus, Makarios The Third. Chris had to give up his studies because it became dangerous as Cyprus fought for it's independence from England. The plan was for Chris to return to the monastery after hostilities but his grandfather wanted him to immediately join his father back in London.
Chris worked in his fathers restaurant until the age of 17.When Chris reached 17, he married his beautiful wife Maroulla who's father owned the Broadway Cafe Restaurant. Unfortunately, the restaurant was failing. Chris quickly turned around the restaurant and made a profit. He ran the business for a couple years and wanted more out of life and decided to come to America with his wife and 3 small children. With the help of his uncle Savvas Pantelides, owner of the Royal Restaurant in Annapolis, he got his first job at the legendary Rookies Meat Market, working under Mr. Rookie Lowman. Chris quickly went from a part-time to full-time worker because he expanded the carryout menu. Chris and Rookie would start their day at 4:30 in the morning by cutting the meats, preparing the famous party trays, salads and soups. Mike Pierra, owner of Mikes Crab House, asked Chris to come run his new Country Store. Once again, Chris expanded the menu and increased the revenues dramatically. Still, Chris was not satisfied and wanted to go into business for himself.
With the help of his wife, who was a cook in her own right, they opened Chris's Charcoal Pit on West Street, where it still operates to this day in its 30th year. Chris took the restaurant from a small carryout and expanded it to a full sit down restaurant. The restaurant is successful because Chris uses age old recipes and the finest ingredients. Even the gyros meat is made to a specific standard that cannot be duplicated. Chris' legendary chicken rice soup is claimed by some to have medicinal properties because of its ability to cure just about anything. You can dine from the best cheese steak sub in Annapolis to tasty Greek specialties. Chris varies his menu everyday with a special fish, chicken and meat entrée.
Over the years, Chris has received several positive newspaper reviews. The restaurant remains an Annapolis institution even though Chris does not advertise. For years, Chris was responsible for the preparation of the food at the Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Festival. Chris has provided food for numerous area charities over the years. In Memory of his son John, Chris started a golf tournament to benefit the church and later expanded it to benefit other charities. An Anne Arundel County school received computers, the children's cancer foundation was the second recipient and last year funds were provided to to repair homes for the elderly. This year the funds will go to the Anne Arundel Medical Center to help the tiniest children in the neo-natal ward. Chris and his wife Maroulla have 2 daughters, Athena and Lola, both married. Athena has 2 children Olivia and Sophia and Lola has one daughter Anna. Lola is School Psychologist and her husband Alan is a Special Education teacher on the Eastern Shore. Athena has two lovely girls, olivia & sophia and works at the restaurant with her parents to continue the tradition.