PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

The Dor-Stop Restaurant keeps going, thanks to Evren Karabacak.

In February, the local entrepreneur — an incredibly humble guy — bought the beloved Dormont eatery that’s been serving legions of loyal fans since 1986.

Aside from extending the hours, introducing some new dishes and adding a large mural of Guy Fieri, the new owner vows to keep things the same.

“The Dor-Stop is really popular. Why would I change?”says Karabacak, who also runs The Nook and Geppetto Cafe in Lawrenceville and a second Geppetto Cafe in Bloomfield. “My goal is to serve the community the best that I can.”

Currently, Dor-Stop is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but, starting April 1, the spot will operate from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. seven days a week.

In 2008, the Dor-Stop, a tiny place at the corner of Potomac and Glenmore avenues, was featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Landing a segment on the show is a badge of honor for greasy spoons across the country. As a tribute to the Dor-Stop’s time in the national spotlight, Karabacak hired local artist John Muldoon to paint a portrait of Triple D’s host on the wall.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Fieri, who has a namesake restaurant at Live! Casino Pittsburgh and a fast-casual chicken concept Downtown, put a spicy spin on Dor-Stop’s popular Italian Jumbot, adding hot sausage, jalapenos and cheddar cheese to the mix of eggs, tomatoes, green peppers, onions and home fries. (I set Flavortown on fire by dousing my dish in Red Devil sauce.)

Regulars will find all of their favorite meals as well as longtime staff members. The menu has been beefed up with waffles, salads and other plant-based offerings. Ingredients are sourced locally when possible.

Karabacak, who immigrated to Pittsburgh from Turkey two decades ago, used to live in the South Hills. He frequented the Dor-Stop and many of its neighbors such as JMart International Market, Knossos Gyros, Thai Spoon, New Saigon, Badamo’s Pizza, Fredo’s Deli and Moonlit Burgers.

Potomac Avenue is the United Nations of Take-Out Food.

In 2015, while working toward a doctorate in organizational leadership at Point Park University, Karabacak opened the original Geppetto Cafe, bringing crepes, waffles, French toast and other European-style eats to Lawrenceville. Six years later and a few blocks away, The Nook debuted in the former Coca Café space at 3811 Butler St. His wife, Irem Bilgili-Karabacak, who has a Ph.D in special education, works with autistic kids. The couple are expecting their first child this summer.

They have a lot on their plate. But, Karabacak doesn’t think he bit off more than he can chew with the purchase of the Dor-Stop. In fact, he’s excited to take on more.

“I want to keep the Dor-Stop as is,” he says. “It is some sort of legend in the area. I don’t want to change anything, but I do want to make it richer for everyone. We are hiring diverse crew members. We are blending people from all over the world.”