Kosta Papageorgakis’ 600km round trip to find quality potatoes in South Australia

·

The owner of Port Noarlunga Fish and Chips in South Australia, Kosta Papageorgakis, had to close his shop for the first time in 30 years due to the quality of local produce.

What did he do instead?

He travelled 293 kilometres from Port Noarlunga to Bordertown to collect a tonne of quality russet potatoes from a grower, after a delivery of white star potatoes from the Adelaide Hills led to “raw and soggy” hot chips.

READ MORE: ‘I love what I do’: Meet the family behind one of SA’s iconic Fish and Chips shops.

Mr Papageorgakis told The Advertiser the almost 600km round trip was worth it for his customers who expect “crispy” hot chips. He is now set to reopen his shop on Tuesday.

Jimmy Leonardos (founder of the fish and chip shop) with his daughter Marina. Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa.

“My customers come first. I won’t serve s–t to the customers. I don’t want to tarnish my reputation,” Mr Papageorgakis told the newspaper.

READ MORE: Greeks take out awards for the best jaffles and hot chips in Australia.

This sentiment was echoed in an interview between Mr Papageorgakis and The Greek Herald in early January, where the shop owner stressed: “We have a long-lasting legacy and we will not let it slip.”

Different reasons for the poorer potato quality have been suggested, with Mr Papageorgakis blaming early harvesting of potatoes for the problem.

Source: The Advertiser.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Semaphore Greek Festival marks 45 years of Greek culture and community leadership

The Semaphore Greek Festival marked its 45th year by the sea with music, food and dance, drawing nearly 50,000 people in celebration.

SA Premier announces proposed $200,000 funding increase for Semaphore Greek Festival

A proposed increase in state government funding for the Semaphore Greek Festival was announced on Saturday, January 17.

Archbishop Makarios: Greek Orthodox schools are “Our most precious treasure”

Archbishop Makarios of Australia highlights the vital role of Greek Orthodox education during his name day dinner in Melbourne.

Theatrical performance ‘Efiges Me To Patris’ in Athens ‘a necessity’

Yet another play at the Aggelon Vima Theatre in Athens prompted me. The theatre’s November 2025–April 2026 season, dedicated to Australia.

Tom Koutsantonis confirms Whyalla steelworks’ $18.5 million royalty debt

Former Whyalla steelworks owner OneSteel Manufacturing, part of Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance, owed $18.5 million in state royalties.

You May Also Like

Gabriel Attal: France’s new Prime Minister with Greek roots

It has been discovered that Gabriel Attal, the new Prime Minister of France, has Greek ancestry. Read full story here.

2035: The end of the Greek community of Australia as we know it (Part Four)

In my previous three articles, I argued that 2035 will mark the biggest and most radical transformation that Australian Hellenism has experienced.

Cyprus issue to be the focus of lecture series in Melbourne

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, serving as a reminder that the issue has been ongoing for too long.