Jimmy D. Varos, the longtime owner of Variety Restaurant in Aiken, was found dead inside his business Friday afternoon. He was 78.
At approximately 3:33 p.m., officers with the Aiken Department of Public Safety were called to the Variety Restaurant at 927 York Street NE to conduct a welfare check at the request of a family member. When officers entered the building, they discovered Varos deceased in a portion of the restaurant that had been converted into living quarters. A strong odor of propane gas was present throughout the facility.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office was called to the scene at 3:57 p.m. An autopsy is scheduled for next week in Newberry to determine the cause and manner of death. According to Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables, foul play is not suspected at this time. The Coroner’s Office and the Aiken Department of Public Safety are continuing their investigation.
Varos became owner of the Variety Restaurant in 1983, and over the course of more than four decades, it became a beloved staple in the community. Known for its large portions of steak, seafood, and Southern favorites, the restaurant developed a loyal following and retained its nostalgic décor and “old-school cool” charm.
A website once described Varos as a former fisherman from Greece who had run the place since 1983. “In a truck with a front license plate identifying its driver as Jimmy the Greek, he brings seafood in from the coast every week,” said thefoodsection.com, describing the restaurant as a “shining star.”
Despite operating with a small staff and modest resources, the business remained consistent and welcoming under Varos’ quiet leadership.
