In 1950, Aleko (Alex), an orphaned Greek immigrant, came to the U.S. to escape his war-ravaged homeland. He made his home in Washington, DC, and worked as a waiter for President Eisenhower at the Occidental restaurant for many years. After marrying the woman of his dreams, Theoni (an 18-year-old immigrant maid to an embassy family), they opened their first restaurant together on Riggs Road in D.C., called “Alex’s Restaurant.” Aleko was a true connoisseur of fine food—he even taught his wife to cook, something unheard of in his time! Five children and four restaurants later, they retired from the restaurant business, passing on their legacy. In 2008, the Tsinonis family continued in Aleko's footsteps, opening Aleko’s Village Café, a takeout counter in Middletown. Now, Aleko's is moving to the heart of Middletown with a sit-down taverna, take-out counter, and Greek market.