Olympic Cafe

Sometimes, no, change that to many times, some really good eats can be had in one of those little neighborhood diners. Maybe you've passed them many times, next to the coin laundry, the Chinese fast-food joint, or maybe next to one of the many "Hair/Nail" places. Olympic Cafe is located on the busy corner of University Avenue and Texas street, and though we've always noticed the cafe, we really never paid much attention to the modest storefront.

That all changed after a recent conversation with Ed from Yuma. The topic of all things was Ed's "delici-yoso" dance. Ed was telling me a story of how He had dropped by a former employer of His, and the one of the "Old-Timers" still working there mentioned Olympic Cafe, and said that "the food is so good, you'll close your eyes and do that hand-thing of yours". (AKA the Delici-yoso dance!!!) Well anyplace that would make Ed do the delici-yoso dance, is a place worth trying.

So the Missus and I arrived on a Saturday at about 1035am, during that strange period that is the transition between breakfast and lunch. The Restaurant looked to be emptying out, and we went in and sat. The interior was as expected cheap furniture and very spartan. But the menu was indeed interesting; everything from Diner favorites like Grilled Cheese Sandwiches to Greek favorites like Avgolemono Soup. Because we had arrived before 11, at the "dead" time, I wasn't sure if we'd be able to order lunch. But my question, was answered with a very pleasant, "Of course, you can order lunch, no problem."

This being Saturday, the Missus ordered the "weekly special" for Saturday, the Lamb Shank($9.25):

The plate came with rice pilaf, a Greek Salad, Lamb Shank, and basket of pita bread. The one item the Missus fell in love with was the mattress of Feta Cheese on top of the salad.

Though the rice and the salad did not particularly thrill Her, I got the distinct feeling that she would have loved another thick slice of feta, to stick some lamb between, making a feta-lamb "sandwich".

The Lamb was well braised, very moist and tender, and mildly flavored.

I got the Gyros and Souvlaki Combination($8.65):

This plate also came with rice pilaf, which I probably enjoyed more then the Missus, because all the drippings from the Souvlaki had gotten into the rice. The greek salad, with a mildly creamy greek dressing was okay, though not very memorable, as was the pita bread, and the tzatziki. The gyros meat was very moist, most of the time gyros meat is cut and refried and ends up being quite dry. In this case it was very moist and the edges were nicely crisp. The Souvlaki was very nicely flavored with lemon and garlic. Though the meat was a bit on the tough side, the cubes of beef had been grilled well, and a nice tasty crust had been developed. Overall, pretty good food, and an excellent value.

Good portions sizes along with good prices(nothing over $10) and pretty good food means we'll be back to Olympic Cafe. I'm especially interested in breakfast with Gyros and Village(Greek Sausage, Mushrooms, &Feta) Omelettes, and Souvlaki and Eggs. Now that sounds really good. Service is also very efficient and friendly. Olympic Cafe is the type of Restaurant that every neighborhood needs. The Restaurant serves everything from Burgers($3.55-$4.55) to Greek Style Pork Chops($8.65). Maybe no delici-yoso dance, but good food at affordable prices.

Olympic Cafe
2340 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104

Open 7am - 930pm Daily

Comments

[Kristy]

hahah! I wanna see you do the delici-yoso dance! ;)

[Kirk]

Hi Kristy - The delici-yoso dance truly belongs to Ed. I could never duplicate it. It comes from "deep within", and the spontaneity could never be duplicated!

[Jack]

Kirk,
I haven't been here in ages. It sounds like nothing has changed...good food at good prices. Have you had a apple fritter at the donut shop? They use to be enormous. Again, it has been a long time since I've been there.

[Kathy]

I swear that lamb looks like someone's hand!
But the cheese...you can hardly go wrong with a big slab of feta :)

[RONW]

"Sometimes, no, change that to many times, some really good eats can be had in one of those little neighborhood diners....."

That's how things work if someone is there to mind the store or the kitchen. Once the restaurant develops a reputation by word of mouth and they certainly deserve all the due credit but then all too frequently the next phase sets in where the food and service takes a dive.

[Rachel]

Maybe we can have a video of Ed (or Eds hand) doing a delici-yoso dance. I, like kristy also thought you could perform the dance since the delici-yoso phrase was coined by you :)
Hehe I think I'd get along with your missus as time and again my hubby has caught me making "meat sandwiches" putting things between my meat. Yes I agree that overall the restaurant looks very good value.

[Kirk]

Hi Jack - I did notice the Donut Shop, but did not partake.

Hi Kathy - You're right, it does. I didn't notice that until you mentioned it.

Hi RONW - Yes, it is really sad when a place "jumps the shark". But Olympic Cafe has been around for quite a while.

Hi Rachel - I'd love to have a picture of the dance. But it's really spontaneous, you never know when it's going to happen. The dance is the sole domain of Ed, I just named it.

[Passionate Eater]

Kirk, one of my co-workers who has two kids who went to UCSD just told me that this week, there is a San Diego-wide event similar to San Francisco's Dine About Town (http://www.sfdineabouttown.com/), where you can get affordable prix fixe meals at some of the San Diego's finest restaurants. Just wanted to give you and the Missus a heads-up, in case you are interested.

[Kirk]

Hi PE - I think you mentioning restaurant week. A very nice event.

[mizducky]

Diners with lots of Greek specialties on the menu make me all nostalgic for my hometown in the New York metro area, where there are tons of Greek-run diners. There was one my family used to go to all the time whose standard dinners could feed about three longshoremen each. But I don't recall any of them putting that huge a wad of feta on top of a salad--that's pretty darn impressive. (Making a note to check this place out...)

[Kirk]

Hi mizducky - The food here is a pretty good value for the price.

[Reid]

Hi Kirk,

Interesting selection of food -- gyros and grilled cheese. Maybe the can make a grilled pita with cheese and gyros? Just kidding.

The salad, with that hunk of cheese on top, looks quite good as does that souvlaki. Mmmm.

BTW...I just had Greek food too....

[Kirk]

Hi Reid - The souvlaki was very tasty. The menu is quite interesting; Liver and Onions on one hand, and Chicken Kabob on the other.

[logovo]

Just want to second that the donut place has pretty good fritters. Oh, and you might like the roasted chicken at this cafe, but my favorite is the gyros plate.

[Kirk]

Hi logovo - Thanks for your comments and recommendation! We'll definitely give that donut place a shot.