History of the Hammersmith Family Restaurant

 (Editor’s Note: After the Board of Selectmen presented a citation congratulating the Hammersmith Family Restaurant on its 50th anniversary in Saugus, we reached out to the owners to provide their own story about their family and how the restaurant got started. Stacey Politis, a third-generation member of the Agganis family who has worked at Hammersmith since she was 14, wrote this article for The Saugus Advocate. Her grandparents who started the business still live in Saugus. Costa is 93. Niki is 84.)

By Stacey Politis

When Costa Agganis arrived in America in 1969 with his wife, Niki, and their young family, he brought with him a strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and a dream of a better life. In 1974, that dream became a reality when he opened Hammersmith Family Restaurant in Saugus. While Costa initially partnered with one of his brothers in the early days, it was Costa and Niki who ultimately established the restaurant on their own, laying the foundation for what would become a beloved local institution.

Costa’s journey began far from Saugus, in the village of Logganiko, Greece. After serving as an Evzone in the Greek Presidential Guard and spending a decade in Canada, Costa arrived in America with just 50 cents in his pocket and a deep resolve to succeed. With the support of the local Greek community and his family’s restaurant experience, Costa built Hammersmith Family Restaurant into a community cornerstone.

Today, the restaurant remains in family hands, operated by Costa and Niki’s children and their families. Their daughter Debbie and her husband Peter Politis, along with their son Angelo Agganis and his wife Angie, have carried on the tradition of home-style cooking that makes every guest feel like family. Peter and Angelo work in the kitchen, while Debbie and Angie provide the warm and welcoming service the restaurant is known for.

The family’s commitment to each other and to the restaurant has been instrumental in its success. One key family member, Steve Agganis, has been a tremendous help over the years, stepping in whenever needed. During the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve was essential in making sure the restaurant could continue serving the community. He helped rearrange the parking lot, set up the tent and placed concrete barriers to create a safe outdoor dining space. Steve’s efforts, alongside the rest of the family’s, kept the restaurant afloat during those difficult times.

Another integral part of the Hammersmith team is Emily McKay, who has been with the restaurant since 1988. “Emily is more like family to us,” says Angelo Agganis. “She’s been here so long, and her dedication to our customers and our team is unmatched. She’s seen generations of families come through our doors, and she’s truly a part of the Hammersmith story.”

The tradition of family involvement extends to Stacey Politis, the third-generation member of the Agganis family, who has worked at Hammersmith since she was 14. Stacey not only handles the restaurant’s marketing and digital efforts but also works as a waitress on weekends alongside her mom, Debbie, and her aunt, Angie. “Whether it’s serving tables or creating a social media post, we all help each other out,” Stacey says. “It’s about supporting one another, and that’s what keeps the spirit of Hammersmith alive.”

Hammersmith Family Restaurant is known for its generous portions and especially its famous breakfast dishes, like the signature “Hammersmith Special.” While the restaurant has embraced new changes over the years, including adding a liquor license in 2011 and expanding into online ordering, the family’s core values – delicious food, great service and a deep connection to the community – have remained unchanged.

“The best part of what we do is seeing customers who came in as kids, now bringing in their own children and grandchildren,” says Debbie. “It’s when you realize that Hammersmith isn’t just a restaurant – it’s part of their lives and memories.”

The Agganis family is deeply grateful to the local community for its continued support. “We want to thank everyone who has walked through our doors over the last 50 years,” says Debbie. “Your loyalty has made us who we are, and we are truly honored to be a part of this community. Hammersmith Family Restaurant is a place where people come together, share stories, and make memories.”

Operating Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. for breakfast and lunch, and weekends from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for breakfast only, Hammersmith Family Restaurant continues to serve the community with the same dedication Costa and Niki instilled in the restaurant 50 years ago. Their success is a testament to the American dream – built on hard work, family and a commitment to hospitality.

As they celebrate this milestone anniversary, the Agganis family extends their heartfelt thanks to the generations of customers, employees and friends who have made Hammersmith Family Restaurant a cherished part of Saugus. Here’s to the next 50 years of great food, continued family involvement and the strong bonds that keep this local institution thriving.