Southwest Florida family-run restaurant serves gratitude for nurses, doctors

One Lee County family is giving back to their health care heroes in the best way they know how – through food.

John Kladis owns ‘Eggcetera’ off of Summerlin Road and runs the Fort Myers restaurant alongside his wife, Konstantina, and their daughter Katerina. When the Greek family started seeing the impacts of COVID-19, they wanted to show their gratitude for the service of frontline workers during these tougher times.

“Nurses and doctors are working so hard right now to take care of us, so we like to do something to give back and to take care of them,” John Kladis said.

The Eggcetera chef said his family decided to re-open their restaurant doors a few weeks ago for the purpose of showing gratitude towards local nurses and doctors. They hung a sign outside Eggcetera that invites all doctors and nurses to come inside and enjoy any item on their menu, free of charge.

“It’s very satisfactory to give back, to show humanity,” Konstantina Kladis said.

As hostess at their family’s restaurant, Katerina Kladis said she looks forward to greeting and serving health care workers.

“I can’t wait until we get a nurse or doctor that comes in… it makes me so happy,” Katerina Kladis said.

For those who may not be able to make a trip to their restaurant, Kladis started delivering boxed meals to the nearby HealthPark hospital.

He now starts his days before sunrise, firing up Eggcetera’s kitchen to cook breakfast burritos he’s happy to take to the nearby Lee Health medical center.

“They’re so happy that we do that, and it satisfies us to see them happy,” Kladis said.

The Greek chef added that he cooks from fresh ingredients he buys from local farmers and businesses.

Eggcetera is now open for to-go orders between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Orders can be placed by calling 239-791-8227 and all health care workers can choose their meal free of charge.