About Us
In the heart of downtown West Dundee, The Village Squire is celebrating a remarkable milestone. Established in 1974 by immigrant brothers Paul and George Karas, this once dimly lit, old English Pub with a modest menu of nine items has grown into a Fox Valley institution known for good food, drinks, outdoor dining, and entertainment.
Today's Village Squire, located at 125 Washington Street, is celebrating 50 years of fun, warm hospitality where "Food is Happiness." Originally built in 1958 and recently renovated, "The Squire" as it's known to locals, is a staple in the Dundee community. Over the past five decades, the Karas family has demonstrated true Greek hospitality, treating restaurant customers like guests in their own home.
"The main reason The Squire has endured half of a century and is still thriving is because of our people," said owner George Karas. "We believe restaurants neither live nor die by numbers: guests served, total sales, per-guest average, gross profit. Numbers are crunched by people, and in restaurants like ours, it's people and their commitment to quality and care that make all the numbers possible. We have the best staff a restaurant owner could ask for. Some of them have been working with us for decades, and we are grateful to each one of them." Each restaurant has a handful of key employees, some of them have been with the Karas Group from the beginning. We would never be at 16 restaurants without them!
Since opening The Village Squire West Dundee in 1974, the brand has grown to include three additional locations in Crystal Lake (est. 1979), McHenry (est. 1983), and South Elgin (est. 2005). The Squire's success developed into a thriving culinary dynasty - and Bob Karas has taken the leadership role spearheading the expansion from 4 restaurants in the 80s to 16 places this year! The last few years Bob opened Geneva & Crystal Lake Rookies and couldn't pass up a new venture with Rochaus.
The Karas Restaurant Group - a collection of 16 establishments offering diverse dining and entertainment experiences, all united under one principle, "Good Places To Be." Was formed by Bob Karas to house all the growth through the years with new partners and establishments. Fall of 2024 another new and exciting concept, the Squire Alehouse will come to life in Campton Hills!
From breakfast, brunch and lunch creations at Alexander's Cafe in Elgin (est. 1986) and St. Charles (est. 2016) to serving up sports and sizzle at seven Rookies All-American Pub & Grills, the Karas mission is one of passion and integrity. Forging partnerships with loyal and dedicated employees and family members, The Karas Group continued to expand in 2017 opening Elgin's Old Republic Kitchen & Bar a new concept spearheaded by Nick Smith, with modern new food and entertainment on a Disney-like patio and acquiring former Rochaus, now Rookies Rochaus, in 2023 - a charming entertainment venue located in the old Main Street movie theater in West Dundee.
Paul Karas, founder, passed away in October 2019, but his legacy lives on in his son, Bob Karas, as well as Paul's daughters Despina Karas and Eleni Karavasis who are all a part of The Karas Restaurant Group.
As Paul's brother George eyes a well-earned retirement after 50 remarkable years, the future has been positioned well by Bob Karas and continues with Aleko, Nick and soon to be some Karas grandkids!!! All positioned to continue the family's tradition of serving up heartfelt hospitality and good food as part owners of The Karas Restaurant Group.
As the flagship of The Karas Restaurant Group, The Village Squire sets the standard for family dining and entertainment in the Fox Valley community - attentive service, matched with consistently high-quality, well-prepared, and equitably priced food. Dedicated and knowledgeable staff, from servers to food preparers to managers, create an inviting atmosphere diners will want to revisit and tell their friends about.
The Karas Family will be celebrating The Village Squire West Dundee's 50th Anniversary in the only way they know how - with a series of fun events and promotions rooted in nostalgia and dedicated to their staff and customers.
The Karas brothers immigrated to the United States in search of the American dream, and the land of opportunity did not disappoint. Their success is a testament to the entire family's unwavering dedication to creating joyful experiences.
