Alexander's Cafe

Our story begins with Paul and George Karas, brothers who immigrated to the United States from Greece in the 1960s. With a deep appreciation for hospitality and a strong work ethic, they founded The Village Squire in West Dundee in 1974.

With a natural passion for the restaurant industry, they continued to grow, opening The Village Squire in Crystal Lake in 1979 and The Village Squire in McHenry in 1981. In 1987, they introduced what would become the crown jewel and fourth location, Alexander’s Café, named in honor of Alexander the Great, a symbol of both their hometown village in Greece and their ambition.

Today, Alexander’s Café remains family-owned and is part of the Karas Restaurant Group. Paul and George’s legacy of tradition and hospitality continues to grow with their children, nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws, all involved and carrying forward the same values the brothers built from the beginning.

The Karas Restaurant Group has grown to include a collection of beloved local concepts, including a second Alexander’s Café in St. Charles, The Village Squire South Elgin, Squire on the Square in Woodstock, and Squire Ale House in Campton Hills. The group also includes Rookies Sports Bar & Grill with locations in St. Charles, Elgin, Huntley, Hoffman Estates, Roselle, Geneva, and Crystal Lake, as well as Old Republic in Elgin.

As the family has expanded, each concept remains rooted in the same commitment to quality dining, strong community ties, and genuine hospitality, and the values that continue to define every Karas Restaurant Group experience.