Colossus Greek Taverna — Restaurant in Oakville

Disappointed and Shocked by Unprofessional Behavior

We visited this restaurant to celebrate my birthday just the three of us, including our newborn. What was supposed to be a special day turned into a stressful and upsetting experience due to one server’s shockingly rude and unprofessional behavior.

Upon arrival, we went to the patio and waited over 5 minutes without being acknowledged, despite being the first in line. Several other families lined up behind us during that time. Concerned for our baby, I went inside to ask for help and was met with a dismissive response I was told a server “should” be outside, instead of anyone actually assisting us.

Eventually, a server appeared and informed us that we couldn’t be seated because we had a stroller. I explained we’d go get a baby carrier and return. While waiting outside with my baby and a friend, my wife went to retrieve the carrier. In the meantime, I added my name to the waitlist.

Then another server apparently the one originally assigned to the patio — showed up and, without understanding the situation, started seating other guests ahead of us. When I politely asked why, he snapped, “I know what I’m doing, you don’t need to tell me how to do my job.” When I tried to explain what had happened, he was dismissive and condescending.

I asked to speak to a manager, who seemed more concerned with appearances than listening. She barely let me finish explaining before walking away to greet other tables. She later returned to say we weren’t next on the list despite the confusion caused by the servers themselves.

What upset me the most was when the same rude server approached me again and whispered in my ear: “You’re lucky we’re in Canada.” This alarming and borderline threatening comment left me deeply uncomfortable, especially with my newborn in my arms. The manager witnessed this and did nothing.

We left immediately, feeling humiliated, upset, and unsafe. This was not only a ruined birthday but also our baby’s first time out and it ended in distress. Truly disappointing customer service and hospitality. I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone specially if you are going with a family or stroller. They could make more space in the patio instead of having too many tables to take more costumers but not caring or think what the customer might have !? What if it was someone in a wheelchair. You will return them back because you have room in the patio! Do not recommend this place to anyone...

Bad service ruined the entire meal. Waiter was so unpleasant, rude, and mildly racist. Saying things like “we’re not an Indian restaurant, we don’t have vegetarian food” (we’re Indian; also most of their menu is veg so I have no idea what he was getting at). He assumed we didn’t understand the menu… bro everyone at the table had been to Greece, we all know what saganaki is. He told us he was Greek 4 times. He shamed us out of ordering hummus because “you can get it at Middle Eastern restaurants.” He described one of their menu items (that came recommended from a friend) as like mozzarella sticks, then went into detail about how they’re exactly like the “Costco ones in the purple box”. Sorry we don’t buy mozzarella sticks from Costco, get out of my face. He rolled his eyes at me when I asked for the simple syrup in my drink on the side. We saw vegetarian moussaka listed on their website menu that day, so we asked and he yelled that that was taken off the menu 2 years ago… lol ok so I guess they haven’t updated their website in 2 years. How the hell is that our fault?! Honestly it was so unpleasant I will never go back, I don’t know how they hire people like this for a service job.

The food was just ok, hit or miss. Saganaki was good but it’s the same at every restaurant as the taste comes from the cheese itself. The waiter managed to squeeze lemon seeds into it that we had to pick out. One of the 3 dips we got was good (spicy feta), tzatziki was bland and tapenade was way too salty. The gigante beans were not good, very bland and inside of the beans were flavorless, had not soaked up anything. The keftedes flavor on the inside was good, but I found them way too greasy with rancid oil taste. I was told the moussaka was not good, we left half of it. Side salad was not good either, we left it all.

The portions were large, but it was still surprisingly pricey for the quality and type of meal… more like downtown Toronto prices at $180 total for those 4 apps, 1 main, and 3 drinks (beer,...

Good things first: Food was good. Octopus portion was a bit more generous than those made by downtown restaurants, which now only serves you appetizer sizes

Some parts make me upset: Besides octopus, all my dishes were served at last order. Portions were definitely huge, but on other people's tables, not mine.

The easy dessert took another 30min wait without any given notice. I called up my bill to politely remind them. And well, always this kind of drama, I had to be in the second of walking out before this dish came. I think no one would be in a mood eating this.

I was the only Asian in the restaurant. No greetings, no refills, the only server whom I felt regretted to was the guy who served me the octopus with a smile and good hot sauce. He was not my dedicated servant, however.

I ended up paying the whole bill including the upcoming appetizer with $0 tip, and walked away. Feeling sorry for the only friendly server, I returned to the restaurant handing him all my coins.

There are few reasons for me to hate a greek restaurant considering how I am addicted to Greek food and culture. Besides, their food was in a good quality indeed.

But it hit most people's rule of thumb: You should run away from those diners which make you feel uncomfortable right in the first minute.

I have a mixed feeling about this restaurant. Maybe I am a bit new...