For a span of years before and after World War II, Greek immigrant Harry Koskos was one of Chattanooga’s best-known restaurateurs. He had come to the United States penniless at age 14 and worked his way to prominence, according to newspaper reports.
The accompanying photo shows the former Harry’s Steak House at 11th and Market streets being torn down in 1951 to clear space for a parking lot. Koskos, the owner, had died two years earlier, in 1949.
Before it was a steak house, the restaurant was called Harry’s Place. It was operated by Koskos and his wife, Sophia, who was also a naturalized American citizen born in Greece.
In the 1930s, Harry’s Place was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and was said to be the first restaurant in Chattanooga to offer curb service.