Page 52 - Galveston Waves August 2018

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E S T A U R A N T

E V I E W

by: Tom Valliere & Charlie Bresenhan

Olympia Grill Pier 21 Coast Creole and Cajun nu-
ances. Here you will find pure
Healthy food since 1500 BC Greek, Greek Gulf Coast fu-

sion, and pure Cajun entrees.
H The restaurant had a difficult

ealth professionals have long
touted the advantages of the Mediterra- beginning. Originally sched-
nean diet. With its emphasis on sea- uled to open in the fall of 2008, it was severely damaged when
food, olives, and fresh produce it has Hurricane Ike poured more than 18 inches of water into the
been reported to lower blood pressure almost completed building. Fortunately the very expensive
and prevent obesity and cardiovascular kitchen equipment had not been installed and was in fact en-
disease. Nobody does Mediterranean route on a truck when the hurricane struck. The brothers
better than the Greeks and no Greeks were fortunate in diverting and delaying the delivery of this
do it better than Olympia Grill. equipment thereby minimizing their loss but still sustained
approximately one million dollars of damage to the nearly fin-
Owned and managed by first generation Greek American ished restaurant. Through perseverance and hard work the
brothers Larry and Tikie Kriticos, Olympia Grill at Pier 21 is a restaurant was finally able to open in June of 2009 in the mag-
destination for Islanders and vacationers alike. With its out- nificent structure you see today.
standing location on the busy Galveston Harbor and its award
winning food, it is a combination that is hard to beat. Whether you are looking for a casual lunch or an elegant spe-
cial occasion dinner, you will not be disappointed at Olympia.
Larry and Tikie literally grew up in the restaurant business. Their extensive menu and blackboard specials have something
Their father Gus, came to Galveston from the island of Pat- for everyone’s taste and budget. Their weekday happy hour is
mos Greece and opened the Seawall Café on 17 street in a local legend with drink specials and a unique menu of small
th
1946. Their mother Nora’s family came from Sparta Greece. plate offerings. A special brunch menu is offered on week-
ends.
Armed with their knowledge,
family recipes and an abun- Dine inside or al fresco on their large patio. They are directly
dance of fresh local seafood on the water and you can practically touch the massive cruise
they have not only replicated ships as they pass by. You are more than likely to see dol-
the old world food, but signifi- phins and always there are tankers, freighters, tugboats and
cantly added to it with Gulf pleasure craft in this busy commercial port.

52 | Waves Magazine | August 2018 Issue