George Sarris built one of Birmingham's most enduring restaurants from scratch — here's the inspiring story behind it

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George Sarris, owner of the Fish Market Restaurant, photographed at his restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The dining room of the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

VIP snapper photographed at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Valencya Waters, a cashier who has worked at the Fish Market Restaurant for 26 years is photographed at the restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

George Sarris custom olive oil seen for sale at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

A Cajun catfish dish with fried pickles and okra is seen at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The Fish Market Restaurant seen in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

A grilled salmon with vegetables is seen at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

George Sarris, owner of the Fish Market Restaurant, photographed at his restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Shrimp over orzo photographed at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Valencya Waters, a cashier who has worked at the Fish Market Restaurant for 26 years is photographed at the restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Whole bass photographed at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Various seafoods are on sale at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

George Sarris, owner of the Fish Market Restaurant, photographed at his restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Photographs from owner George Sarris’ time in Greece are on display at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

A retail section with various Greek dishes, clothing and accessories is seen at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

A retail section with various Greek dishes, clothing and accessories is seen at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

A market portion of the restaurant is seen at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

A retail section with various Greek dishes, clothing and accessories is seen at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The bar at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Photographs from owner George Sarris’ time in Greece are on display at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Various fish are on sale at the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The dining room of the Fish Market Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

At 74, George Sarris rarely works the 16-hour days he used to.

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