The Story of Maple Butter Cafe

The story of Maple Butter Cafe begins with a timeless vision dating back over six decades. In the 1970’s, a young Jim Letsos emigrated from his native Greece, carrying little more than a fierce work ethic and a determination to capture the American Dream. His journey first took him to Canada, where he took on entry-level jobs, learning the grueling, rewarding restaurant business from the ground up.

It was during these lean, early years in Canada that fate took a charming turn. A mutual acquaintance handed Jim a phone number, suggesting a long-distance matchup with a young woman back home in Greece. More than a little intrigued, Jim made the call, and that single, fateful long-distance conversation sparked an undeniable connection so powerful that the young woman made the courageous leap to travel all the way to Canada just to meet him. That woman was Olga.

What began with a long-distance phone call blossomed into a beautiful lifelong partnership. Today, Jim and Olga have been married for over 50 years, sharing a lifetime of love, family and the building of a restaurant legacy.

Fueled by a shared dream, Jim and Olga eventually found their way to the culinary heart of Chicago where Jim honed his skills at the acclaimed Dianna’s Restaurant in Chicago’s famed Greektown, immersing himself in the high-energy world of authentic city dining.

By 1977, Jim was ready to put his own stamp on the Chicagoland food scene. He opened Andreas Diner in Forest Park, an instant local staple that firmly established him as a recognized and respected restaurateur. The momentum of Andreas Diner sparked a wave of innovation, leading to the opening of Shabooms, a venture that brought Jim even greater success and regional recognition.

In 1995, that proven track record brought Jim to Downers Grove, where he opened the doors to the iconic Downers Delight. For over a quarter of a century—from 1995 to 2021—Downers Delight served as a beloved community pillar, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, with full bar and banquet space. As the business grew, Jim expanded his footprint closer to home, opening Plainfield Delight in 2009. Running successfully as a proud sister restaurant through 2023, Plainfield Delight brought that same warm, family-focused dining experience directly to the Plainfield community, cementing the Letsos family name as a local culinary institution.

Today, that rich, five-decade culinary heritage lives on right here in Plainfield at Maple Butter Cafe. Built on the foundations of hard work, deep local roots and a lifelong passion for exceptional food, the cafe serves as the ultimate culmination of Jim and Olga’s journey. At Maple Butter, we pair the time-honored, welcoming spirit of Jim’s classic community diners with a fresh, modern menu. In a nod to our roots, you will even find some of our favorite signature dishes named in honor of Olga—the woman whose brave journey across the world helped make this entire dream possible.

We invite you today to visit the restaurant, enjoy great food and drink, and become a part of our continuing story.