301 Pizza And Deli Coming To La Plata, Honoring Iossif “Joe” Marios Gressis’ Lasting Legacy

LA PLATA, Md. — A new pizza and deli concept is coming to La Plata, as 301 Pizza and Deli, led by Asimina Gressis and her son Dennis, prepares to open at the former 7-Eleven building at 6285 Crain Highway, continuing a family legacy she built with her late son, Iossif “Joe” Marios Gressis, with a focus on high-quality, freshly made food.

For more than two decades, Asimina has been part of the Waldorf and La Plata community through Galazio Restaurant, a place built on family, tradition, and hospitality. Today, she is beginning a new chapter together with her son Dennis as they prepare to open 301 Pizza & Deli, a Mediterranean take-away concept inspired by their Greek heritage and their commitment to fresh, homemade food.

When Joe passed away in 2021, the loss was felt across Southern Maryland. Known as a staple in the local business community, he built strong relationships and gave back in many ways. “Joe embodied the true spirit of humanitarianism,” then-Comptroller Peter Franchot said in a statement. “He supported charitable organizations and provided meals to those in need, bringing people together through food and conversation. Joe will be greatly missed, and we mourn with his family, friends and community at this devastating loss.”

For Asimina, the project is more than a new business. It is a continuation of her son’s vision and a way to honor him through something meaningful.

“He was the best,” Asimina said. “Everyone loved him. This is for him. We are going to carry his name forward and continue doing good in this community.”

Dennis plays a central role in bringing 301 Pizza & Deli to life. Working side-by-side with his mother, he represents the next generation of the family’s restaurant tradition while helping shape its future. Together, they are creating a place where customers will recognize the same warmth and care that have defined their family’s work for many years.

The name 301 carries special meaning for the Gressis family. It represents Asimina’s three children, with the number “0” honoring the memory of her beloved son Joseph, whose spirit continues to inspire everything the family does. The message “I Am Joe” reflects the love they carry forward in his memory and the strength that continues to guide them as they move ahead together.

Asimina’s daughter Stella also remains an important part of the family whenever support is needed. Stella is a professional she is the owner of Asimina Tours specializing in customized travel experiences to Greece, Turkey and Italy.

Her work helps strengthen the family’s connection to the cultures that inspire their food and hospitality.

Behind the scenes, Asimina’s husband Petros has been a lifelong pillar of support for the family’s businesses. During his years as a professor, he devoted his earnings to helping open and sustain their restaurants. Today, at 84 years young and legally blind, he continues to stand strong beside his family and remains a source of encouragement, wisdom, and pride.

The family’s roots in the Southern Maryland food scene date back to 2002, when they opened Ouzo’s Greek and Regional Cuisine in La Plata, introducing authentic Greek food to the area. Before that, they built their foundation through catering, community events and operating a seasonal snack bar at Smallwood Village pool.

In 2008, Asimina purchased a brick oven at auction for $50. Joe brought it to life at Ouzo’s, leading to the launch of Ouzo’s Brick Oven, also known as O.B.O., ushering in a new era of wood-fired brick oven pizza in La Plata and sparking the family’s passion for pizza.

“This is our way of continuing his legacy,” she said. “OBO is no longer ours, but what he built and what he stood for will always be part of us. We want to keep that going.”

The menu will focus on quick, high-quality food to go, including brick oven pizza, deli-style sandwiches and Mediterranean staples such as feta, olives and extra virgin olive oil. A selection of Greek and Italian grocery items will also be available, along with some of Galazio’s popular quick favorites offered for easy grab-and-go options.

Customers will be able to watch pizzas being made and sandwiches prepared, creating an open and interactive experience. The space is designed as an “upscale to-go” concept, with limited seating and a dedicated pickup space for fast service.

The building is undergoing a full renovation, with extensive plumbing upgrades, including a new grease trap and fully updated interior systems. Electrical work, heating and air conditioning units have also been replaced, and a self-rotating pizza oven imported from Italy is being installed to increase speed and consistency.

Exterior updates are underway, including a redesigned storefront with modern black windows and a new side entrance to streamline carryout orders. Asimina said the space will be beautiful, reflecting the standard she and her family hold, and that they are eager to show the transformation once complete.

The renovation has taken longer than expected as the team works to bring the older building up to code. A late summer to early fall 2026 opening is now the goal, with a soft opening planned for friends and family, followed by a larger grand opening celebration for the community.

That grand opening will serve as a tribute, with plans for a memorial wall dedicated to Joe and a celebration centered around his life and impact.

“This place is going to be beautiful,” she said. “People will feel the love when they walk in. They’ll see the story, and they’ll understand.”

The BayNet will continue to follow the progress of 301 Pizza and Deli and provide updates as the project moves toward opening. 

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