Baltimore Seafood Restaurant Fires Back at Anti-American HuffPost Olympics Article

Owner's patriotic response to social media post goes viral, reflecting immigrant family's pride in American dream and Olympic success.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 5:50pm

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A Baltimore seafood restaurant, Jimmy's Famous Seafood, has gone viral for its fiery response to a HuffPost article that suggested some U.S. Olympians may not be feeling prideful for their country. The restaurant's owner, John Minadakis, posted a blunt message on social media after the U.S. men's hockey team defeated Canada, saying he was "overcome with joy" watching the team's victory. Minadakis, whose family immigrated from Greece and built the restaurant from the ground up, expressed deep pride in being American and Greek-American.

Why it matters

The restaurant's response reflects the ongoing debate around patriotism and national pride, especially during major sporting events like the Olympics. It also highlights the immigrant experience and the American dream, as the Minadakis family built a successful business through hard work after immigrating to the U.S.

The details

After the U.S. men's hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 on Sunday, restaurant owner John Minadakis took to social media to respond to a HuffPost article that suggested some Olympians may not be feeling proud of their country. Minadakis posted a blunt message saying "Go [f---] yourself," which has received over 16 million views. Minadakis said he was "overcome with joy" watching the hockey game and felt the HuffPost article captured exactly what he and others were thinking. The family-owned-and-operated seafood restaurant was opened in 1974 by Minadakis' father, who immigrated from Greece in the late 1960s. Minadakis and his two brothers took over the business after their father passed away in 2003. The restaurant is known for its popular crab cakes.

  • On Sunday, the U.S. men's hockey team defeated Canada 2-1.
  • Minadakis posted his response on social media on Tuesday morning.

The players

Jimmy's Famous Seafood

A family-owned-and-operated seafood restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland that was opened in 1974 by John Minadakis' father, who immigrated from Greece in the late 1960s.

John Minadakis

The current owner of Jimmy's Famous Seafood, who took over the business after his father passed away in 2003 at the ages of 20, 18, and 16 along with his two brothers.

HuffPost

A news and opinion website that published an article suggesting some U.S. Olympians may not be feeling prideful for their country.

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What they’re saying

“Go [f---] yourself”

— John Minadakis, Owner, Jimmy's Famous Seafood

“I was just overcome with joy yesterday watching the boys bring home the gold against Canada. The game itself was, I mean — it speaks for itself. It was a beautiful sight.”

— John Minadakis, Owner, Jimmy's Famous Seafood

“My father moved here from Greece in the late '60s. … He was the American dream. He built it with his bare hands with a couple of his buddies, and he was a pillar in the community for a long time.”

— John Minadakis, Owner, Jimmy's Famous Seafood

What’s next

Minadakis has offered both the men's and women's U.S. hockey teams free crab cakes for life as a gesture of his patriotism and support.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the deep-rooted pride and patriotism felt by immigrant families who have achieved the American dream through hard work and perseverance. It also reflects the ongoing debate around national pride and how it is expressed, especially during major sporting events that bring out strong emotions and loyalties.