Location: 2039 Bechtle Ave., Springfield
Telephone: (937) 505-6377
Background/overview
Mentor (“Tony”) Rama began his desperate search for independence when he fled Tirane, Albania, as a refugee in 1988. His European homeland was in the midst of political turmoil, and its citizens constantly facing brutality and imprisonment without cause during that time, so he sought safety in the United States. He settled in Detroit and spent years working in its Greektown area at a restaurant.
Tony was happy to freely travel back and forth to Albania between 2010 and 2013, where he met and married his wife, Elvira (“Eli”). Their blended family consists of two teenage sons and two teenage daughters.
In 2015 Tony felt it was time to move up in business and found a realtor that had a Springfield restaurant location on her list that she wanted him to see. He looked at this North Bechtle Square setting and immediately made the decision to relocate. His son Andy picked the name “Olympic” (meaning “grand”) for their “true American diner,” which opened in August 2015. Eli was legally qualified to join her husband in the U.S. in September 2015 for good.
The menu
Beverages: Cadallic Coffee-$1.75; Coca-Cola products-$1.89; orange juice-$2.50.
Kid’s menu: Mickey Mouse Pancake w/meat-$4.50; Hamburger & Fries-$4.50.
Breakfast (served anytime): Biscuits & Gravy (one-half order)-$2.95; Pancakes w/fruit, or Chocolate Chips-$4.99; Gyro Greek Omelet-$7.99; Ribeye Steak & Eggs-$8.99;
“Daily Specials”: Mini Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.-$3.49; Full Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.-$4.49; Buckeye Omelet-$8.99; Liver & Onions w/three sides-$8.99; Gyros, Fries, & Mini Greek Salad-$9.99;
“All-You-Can-Eat” Fish w/three sides on Fridays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.-$9.99.
Appetizers: Mac & Cheese Bites-$4.50; Four-Piece Chicken Strips-$5.99.
Gyros & Pitas: BLT Pita-$5.25; Gyro Pita-$5.75; Corn Beef Pita & Swiss-$6.50.
Soups: Chicken Noodle Soup, or Lemon Rice Soup-$2.50/$3.25; Chili-$2.95/$3.59.
Salads: Tossed Salad-$2.95; Greek Salad-$6.99; Cobb Salad-$9.50.
Sides: Rice Pilaf-$2.50; Onion Rings-$3.99; Spinach Pie-$5.99.
Sandwiches: Slim Jim-$5.99; Tuna Melt-$5.99; Philly Steak & Cheese Sub-$6.50.
Dinners (w/sides): Hot Meatloaf-$7.99; Twenty-One Piece Shrimp-$7.99; Chicken Kabob-$8.99; New York Steak (10 oz.)-$13.99.
Desserts: Tony’s handmade Rice Pudding or Tapioca Pudding is complimentary with any meal, if you ask. Baklava-$2.99; Strawberry Cake-$2.99.
Hours
Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Closed on holidays.
More information
Olympic has 14 tables and counter seating for four more customers. Tony emphasizes though, “Due to the fast service, we can accommodate more people.”
Firefighters, law enforcers, military personnel and senior citizens (62 years and older) will receive a discount anytime.
Olympic Family Style Restaurant is offering their one-year anniversary special the entire last week of August. “Buyone gyro, get second gyro 50 percent off,” with no limit.
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