Longtime restaurateur resurrects Sonny’s

Waterloo Region Record

30 May 2025

By: MARK BRYSON

Sonny’s, a name that evokes fond memories of classic burgers, milkshakes, onion rings and Englishstyle fish and chips, is poised for a resurrection.

Veteran restaurateur Terry Voulcaridis, whose career spans decades, is relaunching the beloved eatery in Kitchener’s Glasgow Heights Plaza. Sonny’s Famous Burger & EnglishStyle Fish and Chips — the newly registered name — is slated to open by August in the plaza anchored by Food Basics at the intersection of FischerHallman Road and University Avenue.

The new Sonny’s location is a short walk for hungry students from Resurrection Catholic Secondary School, near thousands of homes along a busy commuter route.

“The headline should be a legend is taking over a legend,” laughed the largerthanlife Voulcaridis, 77, a local institution going back to his Country Boy Family Restaurant days.

“Everything’s going to be the same as the old Sonny’s — the recipes, burgers, buns, fish. We’re even going to have the same checkerboard floor. People are going to love it.”

The original Sonny’s DriveIn on Weber Street in Waterloo was a popular fastfood spot from 1965 until its 2022 closing. It did especially brisk business on Good Friday, serving 1,000 pounds of fish.

Conestoga College purchased the property and levelled the original building in 2024.

Voulcaridis, remembering visits to Sonny’s in the early 1980s, has worked on the relaunch for the past three years.

He signed the lease this week, and “coming soon” signs will announce the restaurant’s arrival.

The new Sonny’s replaces an Indian restaurant, nestled between Foreign Shawarma and Madhu’s Roti & Doubles, and just four doors from Tim Hortons.

Voulcaridis said he told longtime coowner Bob Govanis of his plans to relaunch Sonny’s and received an enthusiastic thumbsup. Govanis and his late brother George operated Sonny’s from 1970 until 2009, when they sold it to Paul Noussis.

“I said, `Bobby, do I have your blessing?’ and he said, `Terry, I would love you to take over and

carry the torch and have Sonny’s become alive again,”’ said Voulcaridis.

Govanis, in a brief conversation, confirmed that to be the case.

Noussis, who sold Sonny’s to Conestoga College, wasn’t consulted by Voulcaridis, but welcomes the new venture.

“I hope it’s a success,” said Noussis. “Terry’s old school, he works hard, so all the power to him.”

Working hard is nothing new to Voulcaridis, who arrived in Canada from Greece in 1969 and has operated at breakneck speed ever since.

Unable to speak English, he landed in Halifax with $20, a light jacket and a fierce drive for success.

“I’ve never broken the law and I’ve never been a burden to society,” said Voulcaridis. “Everything I touch has been magnificent, has been gold, because I have three philosophies: great food, great service and good prices.”

He initially settled in Toronto, buying and selling 13 restaurants before moving to Waterloo Region in 1981. He’s been a fixture ever since, opening Telly’s Deli, Angelo’s Place, Garden Patch and Slices before hitting a home run with Country Boy.

Voulcaridis purchased Country Boy for $14,000 and transformed it into a Kitchener landmark known for hearty, fairly priced breakfasts and lunches.

He opened with 72 seats, expanding through five renovations to a 238person capacity.

He sold Country Boy in 2019 for what turned out to be a shortlived retirement.

He tried to fill his time with volunteer work, but missed the excitement of the working world.

“Retirement is a slow death,” said Voulcaridis. “I’ve still got a lot of energy. I’ve got so much experience. I need to be creative.”

A previous postretirement undertaking was launching Athens Greek Souvlaki & Gyro in Stratford, a 2023 opening that boasts a 4.9 Google rating from over 400 customers.

With a strong team now established at his Stratford restaurant, Voulcaridis is fully focused on relaunching Sonny’s, overseeing upcoming renovations and hiring.

He looks to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.

“When you open 27 restaurants, you fear absolutely nothing,” he said. “People will soon be able to enjoy the beautiful burgers and beautiful fish and chips from Sonny’s, and there’s nothing better than that.”