Elias Richa

Elias Richa was born on October 28, 1948, in the Chouf region of Kneisseh, Lebanon. He was one of eight siblings and the son of a farmer. At the age of 12, Elias left home for the capital of Beirut to find work primarily within the hotel and restaurant industry. In his early 20s, he moved to Dubai to continue working in the food industry and catering business. During his time in Dubai, he met an American family who encouraged him to venture to the United States. After multiple trips between Beirut and Dubai, Elias finally took the plunge and obtained a visa to visit the States where he arrived in July 1974.

Once in Dallas, he quickly got to work and landed three different jobs working an early morning shift, a midday shift, and a night shift. Due to his love for food and passion for cooking, his friends motivated him to open his own restaurant. Upon doing some research, he learned that the area for future growth was up north in “Oklahoma” which was essentially Plano, Texas.

Two years later he opened a sandwich and deli shop named the Bristol Deli. The following year he opened The Little Chef Restaurant in 1977, the first breakfast restaurant west of Central Expressway. Over the next 34 years, the Little Chef was visited by many in the community from all walks of life, where it became a landmark in Plano that people remember and recognize to this day. In 2010, he relocated The Little Chef to the small town of Cooper, Texas for a slower change of pace.

In his personal life, he enjoyed square-dancing, discussing politics, and various investment ideas. He was a proud American and Texan while never forgetting his Lebanese heritage. He built many friendships all over. He got pure joy talking to customers, friends, and relatives every chance he had. Above all, he loved his family who will miss him dearly.

On June 8, 2024, Elias tragically suffered a fall causing a severe traumatic brain injury. He courageously battled this injury for several months, but sadly passed away on February 14, 2025, due to complications. As fate would have it, it was in Plano, a few miles from where it all began 50 years ago.

Elias is survived by his children Natalie Richa Alexander and Joseph Richa; grandson Aidan James Alexander; siblings Badih Richa and his wife Nadia, Teresa Richa Farah, Tony Richa and his wife Lina and Ghassan Richa and many loving nieces and nephews around the world.  He is preceded in death by his parents Chucri Richa and Saada Abourjeily; siblings Joseph Richa, Mary Richa Abourjeily and Samira Richa.

There will be a mass at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 24, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.  There will be a family visitation one hour prior to the mass at 10:00 a.m. If you wish to view the service via webcast, please visit: https://youtube.com/live/Wy58X9DFJEg?feature=share

There will be a reception immediately following the mass.

Elias will be laid to rest at Plano Mutual Cemetery, Plano, Texas.