Community
10 December, 2025
Fryer's finale: beloved take away owner to finish after 40 years
Mr Xenitellis started JPX Take Away in 1984 after spending time running fish and chip shops in Melbourne and Nagambie.
JOHNNY Xenitellis’ famous home made nuggets and wedges can bring people from all across the country.
And it’s those fantastically fried foods that St Arnaud will miss the most when he switches off the fryers for the final time this Saturday.
But for Johnny, he will miss the customers the most.
“You do this job for more than 40 years and you meet so many different people,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to look after my customers and the people of St Arnaud have looked after me too.
“But it’s my time.”
And his daughter, Maria, said this sentiment couldn’t be more true and was shared by all.
“Dad always goes above and beyond for everyone he meets, especially his customers,” she said.
“Ever since word got around that he was finishing up, people who maybe hadn’t been in for a little while were coming in just to see him.
"To order food and thank him. It’s really special.”
Mr Xenitellis started JPX Take Away in 1984 after spending time running fish and chip shops in Melbourne and Nagambie.
But it was a friend who coaxed him into the St Arnaud direction.
“He told me they needed a good fish and chip shop in town, so I moved,” he said.
“I worked hard to make a good business, we made mistakes along the way, but we learned that if you look after the people, they look after you.
“You make a lot of good friends, they say they will miss me and I will miss them too.”
Mr Xentellis said he always wanted to go the extra mile for his customers, which is where his famous home made food came in.
“You need to give your customers the best quality food you can,” he said.
J“There’s only so far frozen food can go, so I started making the nuggets and wedges from scratch.
“I seem to have done something right because it’s what the people love.”
And while he won’t be the face behind the Napier Street counter anymore, Mr Xenitellis has been working with the new owners to ensure his legacy lives on.
“They are a wonderful family from Bendigo who have decided to take over,” Maria said.
“Dad has been teaching them a thing or two over the last few weeks and we’re confident they will do a good job in the shop.”
Mr Xenitellis said he won’t be too far away when people miss him.
“I won’t be able to help myself,” he said.
“I will still be in town and want to come and visit [the shop].
“But being over the other side of the counter might take a bit of getting used to.”
Mr Xenitellis said while he is sad to go, it’s time to take some time for himself.
“I will have a few days to bring my garden back to what it used to be,” he said.
“I also want to visit my friends too.”
The Xenitellis family wanted to thank St Arnaud and surrounds for all their support in business.
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