The Yolk Story
Great food, unique dishes and fantastic service, all delivered to you with a smile. That’s the Yolk experience — and it’s been that way since 2006, when Taki Kastanis founded the first Yolk in Chicago with innovative food and a great customer experience in mind.
But the story did not start there.
Born into the business
Taki grew up with hard-working parents who owned up to ten family-oriented eateries — doing homework in a booth as a kid, then working the family diners after school, weekends, and whenever they needed him.
The first concept
He took a break from school to open his first breakfast and lunch spot. A learning experience at a ripe age — he sold it about a year later and returned to business school at the University of Illinois.
A career in real estate
After three years at U of I, Taki earned his Real Estate broker's license and built a career in the industry. But with the restaurant business in his blood, it was hard to stay away.
Back to the kitchen
He returned to food by purchasing an existing restaurant in a northwest suburb of Chicago. A year and a half later he sold it — and turned all his attention to honing a concept with urban appeal.
The first Yolk
Yolk opened in Chicago's South Loop and never looked back. Upscale breakfast and lunch took off in a big way, and more downtown Chicago locations followed.
Growing coast to coast
Yolk keeps expanding into upscale urban locations — 9 restaurants across Chicago, Indianapolis, Dallas–Fort Worth and South Florida, serving thousands of loyal customers each week.
The media couldn’t help but take notice.
“Innovative food and a great customer experience — that’s been the idea from day one.”
Taki Kastanis · Yolk Founder