Family Owned
ESTABLISHED 1971
The Therien family started in the restaurant business in 1971. The first Banana Boat opened in September 1971, in Fort Lauderdale, on Commercial Blvd east of U.S.1. John Therien and his sons, Pierre, Luke and Gilles, moved the Banana Boat to Boynton Beach in 1978, on Ocean Avenue and the Intracoastal Waterway.
The owners and staff take great pride in offering an “Authentic Florida Experience” for both locals and tourists seeking fresh seafood, fun appetizers, sandwiches and cocktails, at reasonable prices, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway at East Ocean Avenue.
The Banana Boat owners opened an upscale Seafood restaurant named “Prime Catch” on June 1, 2004 to rave reviews. Zagat rated Prime Catch “Best New Restaurant in Palm Beach County” after its first year. Restaurant reviews have continued to praise Prime Catch for being the first important fine dining destination to arrive in Boynton Beach. Prime Catch is known to have the freshest fish in the area, along with a new approach to flavors and ambiance.
When the Banana Boat started back in 1978, most of today’s staff still had not been born yet. Boynton Beach was just a quiet fishing village back then. The Boynton Beach mall would not be built for another 7 years. The giant Motorola factory on Congress (since demolished, now the Renaissance Commons) was still farmland. In fact all of Congress Avenue was still farmland. There was not one restaurant on Congress Avenue at that time. My, how things have changed!
In 2000, the Banana Boat underwent a Multi-million dollar renovation to coincide with construction of a new bridge and a changing downtown. During this time the state demolished its old 1935 Ocean Avenue bridge and replaced it with a much bigger bridge. Also during this time, other old buildings next to Banana Boat were demolished and a new Marina Village that included two multi-story condominiums just west of the marina began development.
It is estimated that over 12 million customers have visited Banana Boat, and over 7,000 employees have worked there, since its opening in November 6, 1978. Banana Boat has a number of long-time employees, including three 30 year employees, and a few 25+ year employees, and quite a few 5 and 10 year staff members.
Banana Boat is seen as a landmark “anchor” to the restaurant and nightlife activities in Boynton Beach. As a family business, they take great pride in offering that “Authentic Florida Experience” for those locals and tourists seeking fresh seafood, fun appetizers, sandwiches and cocktails, at reasonable prices, overlooking the waterfront in Boynton Beach.
The Theriens are a local family, completely dedicated to the restaurant business. They support the community through fundraisers, the Chamber of Commerce, and are loyal to their customers, staff, and vendor partners.
Meet the Team
Director of Operations, Maria Panarites
She graduated with honors, Cum Laude, from Florida Atlantic University in 2001, earning a Double Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Sociology, along with a minor in Business. Maria further strengthened her professional foundation by completing ServSafe Certification and training through the Disney Institute, where she specialized in quality of service.
Maria’s career with the company spans over two decades, beginning in 2005 as a Manager at Banana Boat. Her leadership and dedication quickly earned her a promotion to Senior Manager at Prime Catch in 2007. She continued to rise through the ranks, becoming Assistant General Manager in 2018 and General Manager in 2020. In 2023, Maria was promoted to Director of Restaurant Operations, where she continues to lead with vision, experience, and a deep commitment to excellence.
With over 21 years of hands-on experience, Maria remains dedicated to elevating the guest experience and mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals.
General Manager, Karina Vega
Karina Vega, born in El Paso, Texas, brings over 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Throughout her career, she has distinguished herself through exceptional organizational skills, emotional intelligence, and a keen attention to detail qualities that make her a valuable asset to any team. Karina’s ability to communicate effectively and collaborate across diverse groups reflects her strong work ethic and unwavering commitment to excellence.
As a dedicated professional, Karina is passionate about continuously expanding her expertise within the hospitality field while making a meaningful impact in her community. Her leadership style is rooted in empathy, efficiency, and a genuine desire to create positive experiences for both guests and colleagues.
Outside of her professional life, Karina is a proud Wife and Mother of two and cherishes spending quality time with her family, especially during their visits to Disney World. She also has a deep love for the ocean, traveling, and building connections with new people.
Chef, Katy Slowikowski
Katy Slowikowski is a dedicated culinary professional whose journey with the company is a testament to her work ethic and passion for the craft. Starting as a food runner, she steadily worked her way up through the ranks, gaining hands-on experience in every role before earning her position as Head Chef. Her leadership in the kitchen is defined by creativity, consistency, and a commitment to fostering a positive, energetic environment that makes the kitchen both productive and enjoyable to work in.
Katy is especially passionate about creating unique, memorable dishes that push beyond the expected. She takes pride in bringing new ideas to life and finds the greatest reward in seeing guests genuinely enjoy what she’s created. For her, food is more than a profession—it’s a way to connect, inspire, and leave a lasting impression.
Her love for cooking began at home, inspired by her mother, and it remains a meaningful way for her to feel connected to her every day. That connection continues to guide and motivate her in the kitchen. In her free time, Katy enjoys spending quality time with her wife and their dog, Honey, embracing the same sense of warmth and connection outside the kitchen that she brings into it.
Chef, Michael Gobert
Known for his deep love of seafood, Chef Mike’s favorite dish is sea bass served with rice and beans a reflection of his appreciation for fresh, flavorful ingredients and timeless combinations. His approach to cooking blends experience with heart, creating dishes that keep guests coming back year after year.
Outside of the kitchen, Chef Mike enjoys spending quality time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who are at the center of his world.
Banana Boat
739 East Ocean Avenue
Boynton Beach, FL 33435
561-732-9400
Dining Hours
11:00 AM to 9:45 PM (Sun-Thu)
11:00 AM to 10:45 PM (Fri & Sat)
Bar Hours
11:00 AM to 11 PM (Sun-Thu)
11:00 AM to 12 AM (Fri & Sat)
3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Happy Hour (Mon-Sat @ bar)
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