• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Presidential!We Are Having Fun!We Are Generous!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Local Restauranteur Looks Back

By Wendy Weichenthal on January 30, 2023

Kasotis Family

George Kasotis was a world traveler before he was born. His mother, Theodora “Dory” Kasotis, came through Ellis Island while pregnant with him. His father, James “Jim” George Kasotis, immigrated from Greece. He worked building railroad tracks to the Pillsbury Plant in Martel before serving in World War I.

James survived an attack with mustard gas in the Argonne Forest. He spent years recuperating at the Veterans Hospital in Chillicothe.

James Kasotis stands in his WWI uniform while holding a flag with his purple heart pinned to his chest.
James Kasotis

“The only medicine he had was Vicks Vapor Rub,” George recalled.

George remembers bringing his father Vicks mixed into steaming water to help him breathe every morning at their home in Caledonia, where George was born. Jim repaired shoes. Dory sold beer and sandwiches.  Local farmers sat on wooden beer crates around the coal stove.

Kasotis Family Moves to Marion

After Jim died in 1941, the family moved to Marion. Dory opened a restaurant to support her two children. For 20 years, the Crest Restaurant at 131 South Main Street served her favorite recipes including Greek salad, dressing, and baklava.

“Mom was an excellent cook. She learned to cook from her mother, aunts, and older sisters in the old country,” George said.

George remembers having Miss America Marilyn Meseke give him and Martha Douce a dance lesson at age 10.

Kasotis Played Football for Marion Harding High School 

Later, George played football at Harding. They were playing an undefeated Columbus team fielding future Heisman winner Howard “Hopalong” Cassidy. Harding took the lead. Columbus Central went for a field goal to try to win the game. Jack Bull crouched down and George jumped off his back and blocked the kick. Harding beat Columbus Central 7-6 in 1951.

The men stand and smile.
From left to right: Coach John Cooper, 1950 Heisman winner Vic Janowicz; George Kasotis; an unnamed man; 1974 & 1975 Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin; and 1955 Heisman Winner Howard “Hopalong” Cassidy.

Korean Conflict

George enrolled at The Ohio State University and dressed for the football team, but was drafted to fight in Korea. He was 50 miles north of Seoul on the Imjin River. He and another officer were connecting pontoons to make a bridge when a monsoon hit. It knocked George downriver. He hit a land mine with his leg. Officers on a ridge sent a medical helicopter to pull him out.

“They saved my life,” George said.

George smiles and holds the flags honoring his father and himself. Both of the flags display their photos in their uniforms and their regiments.
George Kasotis and his father, James Kasotis, both served in the U.S. Army and were awarded purple hearts.

George was treated at a MASH field hospital and then a hospital in Tokyo. He was given a week of leave. His mother had given him several $50 bills to buy his freedom if he were captured. George used them to check into the Imperial Hotel, where he had drinks with Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio. The newlyweds were in Tokyo for an exhibition game with the Tokyo All-Stars.

Family Business Changes Hands

After the war, George came home to help his mother in the restaurant. After she retired, he renamed it Café George. Later, he added a bar and rebranded it the Keg and Vine. He ran it with the help of his trusted staff, Jerry and Mary Smith.

“It was the hit of Marion in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s,” George recalled. “It was named the Marion Community Theatre’s place to have cast parties.”

George Meets His Wife

While performing at the Marion Palace Theatre, George met the woman he would later marry. Joan Amstutz moved to Marion in 1972 to teach at Marion City Schools. George made her a romantic dinner to propose, but it took her six years to accept.

“I wanted to be sure,” Joan Kasotis said.

They married in 1983. They had three ceremonies: a private one on Sept. 10, the date of Joan’s parents’ anniversary; another at the Women’s Club Home with a large reception; and a traditional ceremony at a Greek Orthodox Church.

“I’ve been married three times – all to the same woman!” George laughed.

Now married for nearly 40 years, they have one son, Kris.

“I’ve enjoyed my life here!” George declared.

George Thrives in Retirement

At age 90, George volunteers at Primrose Retirement Community, where he tells stories, dances, sings, and gets residents tapping their toes.

“I like doing it. It keeps me active!” George said.

George enjoys looking back at Marion’s rich history as well as at the future.

“I’m impressed at all the new businesses and restaurants downtown,” George said. “Marion is thriving! Hallelujah!”

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • Equipco Logistics

    Equipco Logistics, LLC, formerly Equipco Freight, started in business in 1988, operating out of a small office in Marion. Equipco Freight was owned by Marquita and Ken Welshhans and was purchased by Marsha Persinger and Tyler Mills in 2007.  Since then, the company has built a solid reputation throughout the world as a modern and […]Read More »
  • Baby Boxes

    THE BABY BOX PROGRAM The WIC (women, infants, and children) program, through Marion Public Health, has brought Scandinavian innovation to Marion, Ohio, through their Baby Box program. Baby Boxes are modeled off a Finnish government program that provides all newborns with a safe place to sleep in the early months of life, and essential education […]Read More »
  • Marion’s Helping Hands

    MARION’S HELPING HANDS Marion’s Helping Hands started in May 2013 with a mission, a Facebook page, a friend, and Brandy Gatrell’s garage. Almost four years later, the mission has gone above and beyond what was ever imagined. Now, the operations are led by four moms and a community that cares. A community that wants to […]Read More »
  • Local Entrepreneurs Win $8,000 in Alluvial Private Wealth Forge Competition

    Dreamers with ideas and a business plan competed for thousands of dollars in prizes at the Alluvial Private Wealth Forge Competition on Oct. 12. At the end of the night, each business received between $1,000 and $2,500 in prize money to start or grow their businesses, thanks to three generous local sponsors: Alluvial Private Wealth, […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2025 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image