A Taste of Tradition, A Step Back in Time: Panagiota’s Taste of Greece & Burnt Secrets Cellar

August 20, 2025

For Emmanuel and Lindsey Spanos, food is more than just a meal—it’s a family legacy. As third-generation restaurateurs, the couple has poured their hearts, history, and heritage into their latest venture: Panagiota’s Taste of Greece in Shepherdstown. Nestled at 115 E German Street, the restaurant pays homage not only to the vibrant flavors of Greek cuisine but also to the family stories that have shaped their journey. 

The name itself is a tribute to Emmanuel’s grandmother, Panagiota, whose portrait and life story—beautifully written by Emmanuel’s mother—grace the restaurant’s walls. For the Spanos family, the restaurant isn’t just about serving food; it’s about sharing a story across generations. Emmanuel explains that even the phrase “Taste of Greece” carries deep roots, as it was the slogan for his father’s former restaurant, John’s Café & Grill, in Kearneysville. That spirit of tradition and continuity carries forward in every detail of Panagiota’s. 

Emmanuel and Lindsey are no strangers to the restaurant world. From their previous Greek restaurant in Baltimore to operating John’s Café & Grill alongside Emmanuel’s father, food and hospitality have long been a part of their lives. In 2021, they expanded into the food truck scene with the Taste of Greece mobile kitchen—the first food truck in Jefferson County. For three years, their gyros, salads, and specialties traveled across the community, building loyal fans wherever they went. By 2024, they knew it was time to take the next leap: moving back into a full restaurant space. When the opportunity arose to take over the former Lilah’s location, the family transformed the space in just three weeks, infusing it with their signature energy, heritage, and vision. 

Panagiota’s is open seven days a week, offering lunch and dinner daily, plus brunch on weekends. With the largest bar in Shepherdstown, it’s a destination not just for food, but for community. The restaurant regularly hosts karaoke, trivia nights, quarterly live music, monthly open mic comedy shows, and even the occasional paint-and-sip class led by Lindsey. Bright, vibrant, and welcoming, the upstairs space is designed to bring people together. 

But beneath the restaurant lies a whole different world. Descend the stairs and you’ll find Burnt Secrets Cellar, a speakeasy that transports guests straight back to the 1920s. Located in a cellar that once served as a crematorium and morgue before the Civil War, the space carries a sense of history and intrigue. Guests need a reservation and a nightly codeword—sometimes inspired by the spirits said to haunt the cellar—to gain entry. Inside, gramophone jazz, soft lighting, and cozy seating set the mood. The drink menu is exclusive to the cellar, with all wines imported directly from Greece, offering a unique experience for those who want to unplug and savor the moment. 

Future plans for Burnt Secrets include a cigar membership program, where members can enjoy a curated weekly cigar in the atmospheric lounge. Emmanuel emphasizes that he’s always looking forward, always creating, and always dreaming up the next big idea. His advice for fellow entrepreneurs is simple yet powerful: “You can’t be afraid to jump. Your vision is made for you. Trust it.” 

Whether you’re in the mood for authentic Greek flavors upstairs or a hidden speakeasy experience downstairs, Panagiota’s Taste of Greece and Burnt Secrets Cellar offer something truly special in the heart of Shepherdstown. 

Be sure to follow Panagiota’s Taste of Greece on Facebook. Keep up with Burnt Secrets Cellar on Instagram, and book your reservation here!