Pete's Steakhouse

618 Commercial St

Atchison, Kan.

(913) 367-7096

You can find Pete's Steakhouse in the downtown "mall" on Commerical Street in Atchison, where the streets are closed off for pedestrians. The long, narrow, restaurant has a 1970s retro feel with an eclectic mixture of original art and glass bricks surrounding the burgandy booths.

Surprisingly, the owner is not some guy named Pete, but Revekka and George Tsamolias, natives of Greece. Revekka says when she came here 17 years ago, she didn't speak a word of English. She speaks English very well now, with an accent that could be mistaken for Italian when she brings out her homemade pizza. I had to try the house special pizza recommended for a Best Bite by a News-Press reader. The crust is wonderful - not too thick, not too thin and not limp or doughy. It's loaded with a mixture of Italian sausage, onions and slightly spicy homemade red sauce and topped with lots of mozzarella cheese. It is incredibly filling and a bargain for $14.99. You also can get it for takeout or they will cook it partially and you can cook the rest at home.

Pete's started making the pizzas mainly for the local college students, Revekka says. They also are known for fried catfish, their Friday night seafood buffet, Saturday prime rib and Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pete's Steak house is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.