[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF NICK'S RESTAURANT

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                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Gust family that has 
owned and operated Nick's Restaurant in Pacifica for 85 years and has 
made significant contributions to the community. It is undisputed among 
locals--and some out of towners in the know--that Nick's serves the 
best crab sandwich on the coast.
   Nick's 85th Anniversary Bash will go on all week and it reflects the 
generosity and love of music and food of every member of the family: 
Charles, Anastasia, Nick, Lorraine, Kathy, Chuck and Lena.
   Located at Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, Nick's has become a 
destination for visitors drawn by the restaurant's dramatic setting 
right on the beach with breakers crashing against boulders, pelicans 
gliding through the salty air, surfers catching waves and of course, 
the fabulous food.
   The original Gust family member to come to Rockaway Beach was 
Stalios Karagianis. He left Macedonia, Greece in 1907, arrived in New 
York by ship and then traveled across the United States to San 
Francisco. He worked a variety of jobs, including one with the Ocean 
Shore Railroad which first brought him to the coast. While working as a 
contractor, Karagianis sent for his wife, Anastasia, to join him. They 
bought a house in Daly City and had three daughters and a son. In 1927, 
Karagianis returned to the coast and bought a piece of property on the 
edge of Rockaway Beach. He opened a small shack selling sandwiches, 
peanuts and candy to fishermen.
   After losing his business to fire twice and rebuilding for the third 
time, Karagianis and his family decided to move into the business and 
make it their home to prevent another fire.
   Karagianis faced a challenge. Over and over he was told that his 
name was too difficult to pronounce, so he changed it to Charlie Gust.
   After 20 years of running the restaurant, Charlie eventually handed 
the reins to his son Nick and daughter-in-law Lorraine who continued 
the family tradition of always improving and expanding the business. 
Nick and Lorraine turned Nick's into one of the most unique and 
pleasant dining spots drawing visitors from all over the world to this 
beautiful cove on the Pacific coast. Nick served as mayor of Pacifica 
for four terms and on the city council for ten years ruling the city 
from the restaurant and bar at Nick's.
   Now Nick's is in the hands of the third generation of Gusts. Nick's 
son Chuck has been running the restaurant for the last 10 years and 
daughter Lena is working there as well.
   What has not changed over the last 85 years is the welcoming 
atmosphere, the hospitality of the Gust family and the great food. May 
Nick's serve its famous crab sandwich for the next 85 years!
   Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
honor the Gust family for being an integral part of Pacifica and 
providing an endless supply of comfort, sustenance and community 
service. As a long-time friend of the family I am proud and grateful 
for their many contributions to the vitality and folklore of Pacifica.

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