Olympic Cafe Reopens in North Park After Expansion

Olympic Cafe has been missed. The longtime North Park restaurant, which closed in December, reopened Monday in a larger space just steps away from its original University Avenue location; Nick Kotselas, son of Olympic Cafe founder John Kotselas, says yesterday was likely the eatery’s busiest day in all its thirty-one years of business.

An institution since the mid-80s, the all-day Olympic Cafe is known for its home-cooked Greek cuisine using recipes passed down from Nick’s grandmother combined with generous portions and affordable prices. Though the restaurant initially intended to make the transition within a month, the move took longer than expected; inspired by a Greek taverna, the freshly-remodeled space now spans a two patios, including a covered outdoor patio hung with lights, and an indoor dining room.

With a newly-enlarged kitchen, the family has added a few new dishes to its signature menu including spicy feta dip and a pork souvlakia appetizer. More vegetarian-friendly dishes and homemade desserts are also in the works selection. The restaurant has also applied for a beer and wine license, which it should receive in a few months.