The Meaning Behind ËP!K: A Name, A Journey, A Life Well-Lived so far

It all started on a trip to Greece. That’s where I discovered that my name, Eric, in Greek is spelled Έρικ. Funny enough, it was also the custom license plate on my lifted truck at the time—mostly because I thought it looked cool. And, well, Eric with a “C” was already taken, so I had to go with a “K.” That little shift turned into something bigger than I ever imagined.

EP!K with a !

It wasn’t just a name—it was a reflection of the life I had lived, the life I was still living. It’s not perfect and sometimes down right ugly, but smooth seas never made a strong Captain.

I started as an orphan, but I never let that define me. Instead, I embraced the idea that I could go anywhere, be anything, if I put my mind to it, and keep putting one foot in front of the other and move forward I would eventually “Get There”. That belief carried me through a life of adventure. I have journeyed across the world, slept on the ground in war zones, and rested my head in some of the finest accommodations on Earth. I’ve worked for two presidents, raised a daughter, and this May, I will have been married to the love of my life for 35 years.

I have met scoundrels and wise men alike. I’ve danced with the devil in the pale moonlight and passed out communion waifers on a Sunday morning. If life has taught me anything, it’s that no one is perfect. We are all sinners and fools together, doing our best with what we have. I don’t ever want to fall into the trap of saying, “been there, done that,” because there is always room for growth, always a new lesson to learn.

Bruce Lee said it best, “There is always someone better.” That’s why I keep testing the waters, stepping into places that bring both caution and excitement. It’s not about seeking danger—it’s about finding that overwhelming feeling of calm, that sense of power that comes when you are exactly where you’re meant to be. A moment where everything aligns—your purpose, the people around you, and the rhythm of nature itself.

For me, that feeling is what the Hawaiians call Aloha.

I learn so much from the cultures I have experienced….I call them “bites”. It’s the absolute best of the best….

And I feel it every time I share my waffles with someone at a market, a festival, or a large event. I’ve had jobs. I’ve had a career. But this—this is my occupation. It’s what I choose to occupy my time with because it’s more than just making food. It’s about connection. It’s about sharing something real, something warm, something ËP!K.

Every waffle I serve is more than a bite—it’s a story, a handshake, a shared moment of joy. It’s my way of giving back, its bringing people together in a world that sometimes feels too divided. That’s why I chose ËP!K Bites as my brand name—because life, when lived with passion, kindness, love, respect and a little adventure, should be nothing short of epic.

Uno DeKine - Propietor