UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa. – A chain of fast-casual restaurants – offering gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita and other Greek specialties – is preparing to open its first Pennsylvania location in the Lehigh Valley.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, serving a variety of authentic Greek dishes created from family recipes passed down through generations in Greece, is set to open this summer at the Promenade Shops in Saucon Valley, according to a press release.
The 2,550-square-foot restaurant will be located between Lashes by Gab and Komé Fine Japanese Cuisine in the Upper Saucon Township shopping center.
“We are thrilled to welcome The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill to our growing collection of great retailers and coveted restaurants at The Promenade Shops in Saucon Valley,” said Natalia Stezenko, senior general manager of The Promenade Shops, in the press release. “Our guests have expressed interest in us adding more health-conscious dining options, which The Great Greek expertly brings to the table.”
Chris and Marcia Nagy, owners of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill restaurant in Center Valley, are very excited to launch the new business.
“We saw a great space at the Promenade Shops of Saucon Valley for our restaurant and were thrilled to hear it was available,” said Chris Nagy. “The location offers great visibility, easy access, a beautiful atmosphere and we think customers will love the delicious, fresh and healthy Mediterranean cuisine.”
Known for its timeless flavors and legendary service, The Great Greek serves a variety of authentic Greek dishes, including starters such as dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), hummus, tzatziki and avgolemono soup (Greek chicken soup). with lemon and rice).
Guests can also enjoy hearty salads and bowls, including a classic Greek salad (featuring crispy romaine hearts, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamata olives, Greek feta, fresh herbs, a homemade Greek dressing and optional add-ons such as falafel, dolmades). , gyro meat, chicken breast, steak fillet, jumbo shrimp, leg of lamb and Atlantic salmon) and “The big bowl of Greek rice” (with rice pilaf with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers , marinated chickpeas, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta, accompaniment of tzatziki sauce and choice of chicken breast, leg of lamb, gyro meat, steak fillet, jumbo shrimp, falafel or Atlantic salmon).
Other menu highlights include grilled beef/lamb or chicken gyros, an Athenian burger (half pound of grilled Angus beef with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, tzatziki and feta) and entrees like plates of falafel and gyro and various souvlaki platters (grilled chicken, grilled steak, Australian lamb or garlic shrimp).
Starters are served with Greek salad, tzatziki and pita.
“Designed for foodies with discerning palates, The Great Greek focuses on fresh ingredients, spice blends sourced from the Mediterranean, and house-made sauces and marinades,” the release said. “Each dish is prepared fresh, making Great Greek a healthy alternative to traditional fast casual restaurants.”
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, a member of the Starpoint Brands family (a division of United Franchise Group), was founded in 2011 by two third-generation Greek-Armenian restaurateurs.
In January 2016, Nick Della Penna and Trent Jones took over the original Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, expanding the brand to include franchise locations from coast to coast in the following years.
According to the chain’s website, more than 80 The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill locations are open or soon to be open across the country.
“The Great Greek is a fast-casual restaurant offering a variety of customizable Mediterranean meal options with strong, bold flavors and healthy ingredients – including olive oil, whole grains, lean proteins, tomatoes , fresh vegetables and spices like cardamom, mint and sumac – an incredible combination that the American Heart Association, famous TV doctors and chefs around the world have promoted as the healthiest way to eat,” can we read in a description of the company.
The Great Greek will join a growing number of new tenants at the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, located at 2845 Center Valley Parkway in Upper Saucon.
Retailers and restaurants joining the center in 2023 include Club Champion, a custom golf club fitting company; Turning Point, a breakfast and lunch restaurant; FD Market, a store for sustainable products and refills; Batch Microcreamery, offering premium quality artisanal ice cream; Handmade Mystic, offering healing crystals, handcrafted jewelry and unique gifts; and Love Obsessed, offering unique clothing, jewelry, accessories and gifts for women.
Additionally, Fulton Bank – offering a wide range of financial products and services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia – opened its new Lehigh Valley branch at The Promenade Shops in January, and a new store J.Crew Factory is expected to open. will open this spring in a roughly 5,100-square-foot space between Francesca’s and Barnes & Noble.
