Deno Vlahakis

Deno Vlahakis, died April 3, 2018. Konstantinos George Vlahakis, best known for his famous and much missed Chili Mac and Frito Pie of D&D Café fame, was born in Gythion, Greece, on November 7, 1925, to George and Demetra Polychron Vlahakis. As a teenager, Deno fought for the Greek Resistance and told fascinating accounts of experiences fighting the Germans during WWII, losing a thumb and finger when he picked up a grenade on a Greek beach. Deno moved to the United States when he was 19, landing in Little Rock, where he eventually owned several successful restaurants, including D&D Café. Deno never met a stranger, loved to hunt, fish, cook, gamble, and make everyone he met feel like a good person. He was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Deno never married or had children, but was loved by his many cousins, Nikki Polychron Lawson (Larry), Chris Polychron (Janis), Kathryn Lawson Griffin (Will), Carole Lawson Lang (Chris), Jay Lawson, Natali Polychron, Nikki Polychron, Sam Stathakis (Liz), and Stella Stathakis McCrary (Rob). In Athens, Greece, he is survived by sister Souli Koutsileris, nephew Manoli Koutsileris, and nieces Janie and Maria Lintzeris. He is predeceased by his twin sister, Letta Lintzeris. Deno also was grateful for the friendship of Pete Vratsinas, Dee Sullivan and Bennie McCoy. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Thank you to all at Good Shepherd, UAMS, and Arkansas Hospice, who cared for Deno in the last year of his life. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.