Maria Bell Bistro

Suprise .... it is already closed. Her website says that she will advise when her new location is ready. Got to get to her place quick or it will be gone.

[Robin Garr]

I kind of hate to hear it, but I can't say I'm surprised. This is about the 12th location, I believe, and most of them have closed overnight, often leaving broken leases behind. At her best - although this may actually be when her brother and her daughter are on hand - she does excellent Greek food. But you just can't be undependable and expect success running a restaurant. Or 12 restaurants.

Greek, Greek, and more Greek, Maria! Spanakopita, tiropita, moussaka, pastichio, tsatsiki, kalamata olives, feta, avgholemono soup, lamb, kotopoulo......just bring it on. Do what you do best, and provide what the community needs---old fashion, no nonsense Greek food!

Chef Maria is, sadly, a perfect example of what too few chefs and restauranteurs understand, but what people like Fernando Martinez (for just one prolific local example) understand well: Being a great chef is not enough to succeed in this industry. You have to have business acumen as well. If you don't, you should be in partnership with someone who does.

Frankly, it amazes me that she has enough capital to keep opening new places so often, when they all fail. I know she doesn't usually put a lot into buildout for each one, but there have to be some startup costs associated with each new location.

[Robin Garr]

If the pattern of their departure from the spot on Frankfort between Heine's and Carmichael's is any example, those costs are minimal: They cleared the place out at midnight, loading up a truck with all the kitchen equipment, leaving behind only bare walls and a broken lease.

We were at Story, Frankfort, Fairfax & Oak locations respectively over the last decade. There were some out of the city I recall mentioned. Lil Cheezers has probably been parked longer in a couple of spots than some of them stayed around.

[Robin Garr]

We were at Story, Frankfort, Fairfax & Oak locations respectively over the last decade. There were some out of the city I recall mentioned. Lil Cheezers has probably been parked longer in a couple of spots than some of them stayed around.

Weren't they also briefly in another Frankfort Avenue spot that later became J. Gumbo's? I know they started in Radcliff, and it was definitely worth the trip ... but her brother and daughter were there. And they did go back to Radcliff two or three times later.

It's definitely a paripatetic eatery!

Don't forget she also briefly had a food truck, or at least a van full of food that she was taking to farmer's markets.

I have to say I wish she'd go back to the little deli spot she had off Frankfort Avenue behind the White Castle. Seems like a cheap spot and it was really convenient to pick up some soup or a gyro or whatever. Sure it was cramped and full of stuff, but that's part of the fun of it.

[Robin Garr]

I have to say I wish she'd go back to the little deli spot she had off Frankfort Avenue behind the White Castle. Seems like a cheap spot and it was really convenient to pick up some soup or a gyro or whatever. Sure it was cramped and full of stuff, but that's part of the fun of it.

Is that one closed, Ron? I thought it was still open. Or is that the space that Melillo's took over? I'm confused ...

Didn't she start on Story Ave after arriving in town from Radcliff?

[Robin Garr]

Didn't she start on Story Ave after arriving in town from Radcliff?

Yup, the place that started as "Dirty Min's" and has ended up as Sergio's. It was about a half-dozen things in the in-between.

We actually enjoyed the Story Ave. location back in the day. Greek dancing on the tables, a real homey atmosphere. Better than the Sugar Doe, which will anger some hipsters I'm sure, but I thought so. The last few places have had no grills or hoods for that matter. The actual cooking had to limited to some degree. Onward she goes. The Louisville Gypsy. Yes, where does she get the capital.

I have to say I wish she'd go back to the little deli spot she had off Frankfort Avenue behind the White Castle. Seems like a cheap spot and it was really convenient to pick up some soup or a gyro or whatever. Sure it was cramped and full of stuff, but that's part of the fun of it.

Is that one closed, Ron? I thought it was still open. Or is that the space that Melillo's took over? I'm confused ...

She closed that one when she moved to the Bistro. I think Melillo's is around the corner in a different, larger space that used to be the Hubba Bubba Subs place. I don't see how anyone could cram anything like an actual sit-down restaurant in Maria's Greek Deli location.

Aside: this is the most Louisville-directions threat in the forum. So many "it used to be this and this before it was this" directions.

[Robin Garr]

Aside: this is the most Louisville-directions threat in the forum. So many "it used to be this and this before it was this" directions.

I don't know. This place is really close to where the old Sears used to be, but that meme has not been invoked. Until now.

Yeah, we opened Gumbo A Go-Go in the old Greek Paradise Cafe spot after she abandoned ship. What a long and strange journey...