Thirty years ago, Sammy Citrano bought George’s from George Betros. With the help of his wife, Delonda, and the cash out of the jukebox, Sammy started a journey that turned George’s into the Waco staple that it is today.
Sammy had no idea what the future of George’s held and never anticipated the 60-seat bar to turn into a 400-seat restaurant. With over 150 team members, a long-term management team, and even a second location, it’s no doubt that George’s is now a local favorite.
Alongside the incredible success that George’s has had in becoming a full-service restaurant, bar, and catering hotspot, G2, in Hewitt, is celebrating its 12th year in business and has an additional 125 team members.
For people traveling through Waco, Baylor alums, and Waco locals, Sammy says he feels blessed by the George’s family and the community that surrounds and supports the restaurant.
As he celebrates 30 years since the day he bought the restaurant in cash, Sammy shares that he’s proud to have quadrupled the size of the business, and there is a new concept on the drawing board in the works to be led by the Citrano group.
With a dream and jukebox money, Sammy never imagined that George’s would turn into what it has become, famous for their Big O’s, tv walls, and classic Texan homestyle cooking, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Check out some customers’ favorite memories over the last 30 years!
Sam Brown
June 17, 1994 – my girlfriend (now wife) and I watched the OJ Simpson chase while drinking Big O’s at George’s.
Bruce Mayberry
David Shaw
Christopher Griesemer
Matthew Scott
Tony Vana
When Paula Owen told me if I played “North To Alaska” one more time she was going to throw me out.
Alexandra Rice
Cherise Hawkins Myatt
Mary Lee
Played softball for George’s # 1 in the early eighties. We all stood in line for big Os and food. Great memories, thanks Sammy!