Romeo Taus – the owner and self-taught chef of Romeo’s Euro Cafe, an East Valley fixture for 32 years – is hospitalized in intensive care awaiting surgery at St Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix after doctors discovered two tumors in his brain and another on his spine.
The background: The Romania-born Taus immigrated to the U.S. in 1973 and studied engineering at Wayne State University in Detroit.
- In 1989, Taus went to work for legendary Valley chef Nick Ligidakis, eventually buying a 25% stake in his Phoenix restaurant Golden Cuisine of Southern Europe.
His own restaurant: Taus opened his own Mediterranean restaurant, Romeo’s Euro Cafe, in 1991 at Southern and Longmore in Mesa.
- The restaurant struggled in its early weeks until critic Penelope Corcoran, writing for Phoenix New Times, gave Romeo’s a glowing review.
Moving to Gilbert: Impressed by Joe Johnston’s Joe’s Real BBQ, Taus moved his restaurant to a nearby 1,800-square-foot space in historic Heritage Court in downtown Gilbert in 2004.
How you can help: A longtime employee has launched a GoFundMe campaign for Taus, who just celebrated his 68th birthday, and his wife, Janice. You can donate here.
- Well-wishers also are encouraged to dine at Romeo’s Euro Cafe, which remains open.
