HISTORY OF BELGRADE GARDENS, INC.
Belgrade Gardens, Inc., the first chicken dinner operation in Barberton was started by Mike and Smilka Topalsky in 1933. The Topalskys began a family tradition in dining and management. Eighty years ago they opened their farmhouse dining room to families who enjoyed old world cooking.
Mike and Smilka met as Serbian immigrant children in Barberton. After marrying and becoming involved in other business ventures, they opened the existing restaurant on July 4, 1933 in what had been Mike’s father’s home on East State Street. Mike’s father, Alexander, had operated a dairy farm on the premises prior to his death in 1930. The farm had to be sold during the depression years and the new landlord rented the farm to the younger Topalskys. In 1940 the property was purchased by the Topalskys and the farm was back in the family name.
The idea about selling fried chicken dinners developed when customers dropped in for a lunch of homemade soup and a sandwich. While eating they were intrigued by the aroma that came from the kitchen where Smilka prepared her family meals on a kerosene stove. The customers questioned what was being cooked. Smilka decided to let them taste and share the meal she had made for her family. The customers were so pleased that day on fried chicken, “djuvece” known as hot sauce, (which even today remains unduplicated), coleslaw and fried potatoes became the specialty of the house. This one entrée menu remained the same for 33 years, until 1966.
For the past fifty years the Topalsky’s son-in-law, Kosta Papich, an electrical engineer, has been President and General Manager of Belgrade Gardens, Inc. His wife, Sophia, a former teacher is the daughter of the original owner the late Mike and Smilka Topalsky.
Through the efforts and foresight of Mr. & Mrs. Papich, Belgrade Gardens has grown from that small farmhouse restaurant surrounded by the big lawn, trees, and flower beds to its present size. The expanded farmhouse now seats 270 people. Belgrade Gardens reputation as a Barberton Landmark and fine eating establishment is known the world over.
In the January 1991, the Belgrade family opened another location between Akron and Canton which is called Belgrade Gardens South. Milos Papich, son of the owner, joined the company as a manager of the operations.
Through the years, Belgrades has been featured in many newspaper and magazine articles such as “The Ohio”, “Northern Ohio Live”, and “Inc.” In November 1980 the program, P.M. Magazine, did a story on Belgrade which appeared on television on channel 8, the local Cleveland station. Belgrades was also featured on the Del Donahue TV Show in April 1992. On July 15, 1990 the Akron Beacon Journal published the results of survey which voted Belgrade Gardens the number one chicken restaurant in Northeast Ohio.
Celebrities too have dined at Belgrades over the years. Actress and television star, JoAnn Worley, who appeared on Laugh-In, football star, Larry Csonka, movie star, Ruth Roman, Bo Schembechler the football coach for the University of Michigan, Senator George Voinovich of Ohio, the past Governor of Ohio Robert Taft, plus many others.
Eighty years of loving service and making friends . . . people have come back again and again and have told their families and friends about the food they enjoyed at Belgrades. Our satisfied customers have spread our reputation around the world, even though, we have stayed in one spot.
Belgrades dinners and hot sauce have been sent (via air) to all parts of this country as well as to other countries. It has been sent to Florida, California, Texas, Washington State, Hawaii and Alaska. During the war years, our chicken was even sent to Vietnam.
Today, Belgrades is serving the children and grandchildren, even great grandchildren, of some of our first customers. The Belgrade family has enjoyed many rewarding years of making our customers happy by doing something better than anyone thought could be done.
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Topalsky for the great idea!
PBS radio personalities Mr. & Mrs. Stern of “Road Food” show Dinning Worth the Drive and 500 Places to Eat before you die selected Belgrade Gardens as a must in both 2010 and 2012.
In the Fall of 2010 Saveur magazine did a story on Midwest Food and once again, Belgrade Gardens was honored, to be among, those food establishments that were found to be worthy of mentioning.
In May of 2010, we received an invitation to participate in a Food Network cook off called “Food Feuds” by Iron Chef Michael Symon. After preparations the competition took place in early September 2010. The episode is titled Barberton Fried Chicken Food Feuds. Belgrade Gardens was crowned the winner at Lake Anna Park in downtown Barberton, Ohio.
Besides national recognition, we have been recognized by the Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer, as well as Cleveland local T.V.
Foodies will recognize the magazine Cook’s Country which featured a story on Belgrade Gardens in July 2011 issue.
Nationally circulated Parade magazine published a featured article on Summer Escapes in June of 2012. Once again was honored to be included in this short list of dining establishments.
In May of 2012 the Columbus area publication Crave a food, entertainment and lifestyle magazine did a feature story on the Barberton Ohio Chicken Dinner restaurants.
This July 8-14 2013 Belgrade Gardens will celebrate its 80 anniversary at our original location in Barberton with food, entertainment and festivities. Please come and join us to celebrate this milestone.
“Success is a journey not a destination” someone coined the phrase. This is a perfect description of the history of Belgrade Gardens. Immigrants travel to a far away country with nothing but their God giving talent, with hard work, sacrifice, dedication and integrity. They turned a little farm house into a world famous restaurant that has been a success for over 80 years. Through the continuing dedication of Kosta and Sophia Papich and their son Milos, daughter in law Maja, daughers Dr. Maria Papich Forsyth and husband Dr. Kevin Forsyth and Maia Papich Radjenovic and husband Wally Radjenovic.
We would be remiss if we did not mention all of our extended family, our “employees” throughout these 80 years. Without their help, dedication and help and efforts none of this would be possible. Our dedicated customers four even five generation of families are our lifeblood. We thank them for allowing us, to serve them for so many years.
P.S. Belgrades was listed as one of ten best chicken restaurants in the U.S.A.
List in USA Today, September 2003 issue.
In 2009 & 2013 voted #1 Chicken restaurant by readers of Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com
Belgrade Gardens, Inc., the first chicken dinner operation in Barberton was started by Mike and Smilka Topalsky in 1933. The Topalskys began a family tradition in dining and management. Eighty years ago they opened their farmhouse dining room to families who enjoyed old world cooking.
Mike and Smilka met as Serbian immigrant children in Barberton. After marrying and becoming involved in other business ventures, they opened the existing restaurant on July 4, 1933 in what had been Mike’s father’s home on East State Street. Mike’s father, Alexander, had operated a dairy farm on the premises prior to his death in 1930. The farm had to be sold during the depression years and the new landlord rented the farm to the younger Topalskys. In 1940 the property was purchased by the Topalskys and the farm was back in the family name.
The idea about selling fried chicken dinners developed when customers dropped in for a lunch of homemade soup and a sandwich. While eating they were intrigued by the aroma that came from the kitchen where Smilka prepared her family meals on a kerosene stove. The customers questioned what was being cooked. Smilka decided to let them taste and share the meal she had made for her family. The customers were so pleased that day on fried chicken, “djuvece” known as hot sauce, (which even today remains unduplicated), coleslaw and fried potatoes became the specialty of the house. This one entrée menu remained the same for 33 years, until 1966.
For the past fifty years the Topalsky’s son-in-law, Kosta Papich, an electrical engineer, has been President and General Manager of Belgrade Gardens, Inc. His wife, Sophia, a former teacher is the daughter of the original owner the late Mike and Smilka Topalsky.
Through the efforts and foresight of Mr. & Mrs. Papich, Belgrade Gardens has grown from that small farmhouse restaurant surrounded by the big lawn, trees, and flower beds to its present size. The expanded farmhouse now seats 270 people. Belgrade Gardens reputation as a Barberton Landmark and fine eating establishment is known the world over.
In the January 1991, the Belgrade family opened another location between Akron and Canton which is called Belgrade Gardens South. Milos Papich, son of the owner, joined the company as a manager of the operations.
Through the years, Belgrades has been featured in many newspaper and magazine articles such as “The Ohio”, “Northern Ohio Live”, and “Inc.” In November 1980 the program, P.M. Magazine, did a story on Belgrade which appeared on television on channel 8, the local Cleveland station. Belgrades was also featured on the Del Donahue TV Show in April 1992. On July 15, 1990 the Akron Beacon Journal published the results of survey which voted Belgrade Gardens the number one chicken restaurant in Northeast Ohio.
Celebrities too have dined at Belgrades over the years. Actress and television star, JoAnn Worley, who appeared on Laugh-In, football star, Larry Csonka, movie star, Ruth Roman, Bo Schembechler the football coach for the University of Michigan, Senator George Voinovich of Ohio, the past Governor of Ohio Robert Taft, plus many others.
Eighty years of loving service and making friends . . . people have come back again and again and have told their families and friends about the food they enjoyed at Belgrades. Our satisfied customers have spread our reputation around the world, even though, we have stayed in one spot.
Belgrades dinners and hot sauce have been sent (via air) to all parts of this country as well as to other countries. It has been sent to Florida, California, Texas, Washington State, Hawaii and Alaska. During the war years, our chicken was even sent to Vietnam.
Today, Belgrades is serving the children and grandchildren, even great grandchildren, of some of our first customers. The Belgrade family has enjoyed many rewarding years of making our customers happy by doing something better than anyone thought could be done.
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Topalsky for the great idea!
PBS radio personalities Mr. & Mrs. Stern of “Road Food” show Dinning Worth the Drive and 500 Places to Eat before you die selected Belgrade Gardens as a must in both 2010 and 2012.
In the Fall of 2010 Saveur magazine did a story on Midwest Food and once again, Belgrade Gardens was honored, to be among, those food establishments that were found to be worthy of mentioning.
In May of 2010, we received an invitation to participate in a Food Network cook off called “Food Feuds” by Iron Chef Michael Symon. After preparations the competition took place in early September 2010. The episode is titled Barberton Fried Chicken Food Feuds. Belgrade Gardens was crowned the winner at Lake Anna Park in downtown Barberton, Ohio.
Besides national recognition, we have been recognized by the Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer, as well as Cleveland local T.V.
Foodies will recognize the magazine Cook’s Country which featured a story on Belgrade Gardens in July 2011 issue.
Nationally circulated Parade magazine published a featured article on Summer Escapes in June of 2012. Once again was honored to be included in this short list of dining establishments.
In May of 2012 the Columbus area publication Crave a food, entertainment and lifestyle magazine did a feature story on the Barberton Ohio Chicken Dinner restaurants.
This July 8-14 2013 Belgrade Gardens will celebrate its 80 anniversary at our original location in Barberton with food, entertainment and festivities. Please come and join us to celebrate this milestone.
“Success is a journey not a destination” someone coined the phrase. This is a perfect description of the history of Belgrade Gardens. Immigrants travel to a far away country with nothing but their God giving talent, with hard work, sacrifice, dedication and integrity. They turned a little farm house into a world famous restaurant that has been a success for over 80 years. Through the continuing dedication of Kosta and Sophia Papich and their son Milos, daughter in law Maja, daughers Dr. Maria Papich Forsyth and husband Dr. Kevin Forsyth and Maia Papich Radjenovic and husband Wally Radjenovic.
We would be remiss if we did not mention all of our extended family, our “employees” throughout these 80 years. Without their help, dedication and help and efforts none of this would be possible. Our dedicated customers four even five generation of families are our lifeblood. We thank them for allowing us, to serve them for so many years.
P.S. Belgrades was listed as one of ten best chicken restaurants in the U.S.A.
List in USA Today, September 2003 issue.
In 2009 & 2013 voted #1 Chicken restaurant by readers of Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com