Johnny Vagianos came to Canada in 1971 from Kalymnos, Greece. He founded Johnny’s Maples Pizza in 1977. Johnny operated the restaurant for nearly 50 years and just recently retired. Sticking around for half a century has made Johnny a “celebrity” in the Maples and surrounding communities; he still bumps into his customers in his retired life! The restaurant continues today and is regarded as a local landmark.
Johnny has always had a passion for food but most importantly for the connections and friendships that come out of it. If there is one word that defines Johnny it’s the Greek word “Philoxenia”, which means hospitality and “being a friend to a stranger”. However, it is more than just hospitality. Philoxenia is a moral code ingrained in Greek culture that emphasizes generosity, warmth, and courtesy toward visitors and strangers. Once you meet Johnny and cook with him, you should get a sense of this.
With 50 years of service, great food and “philoxenia” it really is no surprise that Johnny was voted Manitoba’s Top 100 People in 2024.