Olive Mediterranean Grill — Restaurant in Dayton

We stopped here for dinner on a long, long, long drive north to the Detroit area. I really wanted to get a small taste of local flavor instead of just eating fast food, and Olive was more or less on our way, so we hopped off the interstate to grab a bite.

Now, from some of the pictures of the outside on Yelp, it looks like this is a standalone business with a private parking lot. That might have been the case at one time, but either the business moved or it has a second location that's freestanding and the pics are in the wrong spot, as that's not the case now. This Olive is very much in the downtown-ish area, carved into the ground floor of a much larger building.

As such, parking may be a bit more challenging since there doesn't appear to be a private lot. That said, we had no trouble finding a spot on the street within a block or two. Parking was paid for with the Passport app, and it was reasonable. Of course, it might be harder during nicer weather -- not a lot of people out on a rainy evening!

We walked in to find the restaurant fairly spacious but almost deserted -- only two other people waiting for to-go orders. Kind of odd for a Friday night, but again...weather. The decorations are kind of sparse but the place, including the bathroom, was clean.

We ordered our meal at the counter and sat down to wait. Husband got a gyro and fries, and I got the Shish tawook platter, which came with grilled chicken, a salad, rice, and pita. We also got an order of the Greek potatoes to try out as an appetizer. Service was a little gruff at checkout but gave us a genuine, kind-hearted thank you as we left, so I guess they just had to warm up to us, lol.

The potatoes came out first and were my favorite part of the meal! They were clearly cooked fresh. I'm honestly not sure what's Greek about them as they kinda reminded me of hash browns (the cubed, hash kind) with a little squeeze of lemon and maybe some herbs on top...but if it ain't broke, don't fix it! They were piping hot and very crispy.

Husband and I enjoyed our meals, too. His gyro was very large and almost over-stuffed with gyro meat. The fries were medium-cut but tasted like McDonald's fries somehow...not complaining. My Shish tawook was very juicy and flavorful. I've had better rice and pita but these were both quite serviceable and I enjoyed a fairly healthy-feeling meal.

Honestly, my true rating is maybe more in-line with a 3.5...but I don't have any super severe criticisms and we had a quite pleasant time overall, so I'll just round up to a 4.

Seems like they do a lot of carryout / delivery business. I'd recommend this spot for a decently healthy, very fresh Mediterranean bite if you're...

Left this place about an hour ago. I love it. I really do. This was my first time here. I apologize one of my pictures I started demolishing some of the food before taking the picture. Lol... It was real nice and clean. The music was semi mix. They played their traditional music and light rap music. The rap was not rough nor filled with cursing. Despite the building being green I think it's great for it to be so. VERY EASY TO SPOT!!! Stands out from everything around it.

I ordered the Lamb Shank Platter which came with rice, lamb, a salad, and pita bread. It was simply amazing. The lamb was really tender. I also ordered Hummus and three Baklawa's. The atmosphere was nice and laid back. I will be back very soon!!! You have my business. OH YEAH!!! They deliver too depending on your location with a minimum order of $30.

UPDATE 06/21/2019 Visit:

So I have not been to Olive Mediterranean Grill in a while. Especially since they relocated. Well my husband and I took a trip to their new location. I must say they are located at a very perfect high traffic spot. I hate the issue with parking. We parked a block back and paid the meter. The weather was nice, so the walk wasn't terrible and it was nice to take that walk with my husband. The new location is much bigger than the old one. I love how things are set up. You can see the cooks make your food, take a seat and dine in and watch tv in the process, or order your food to go and wait in the waiting area where you will be comfortable with a tv. A few flat screen tv's, clean restroom, clean establishment, friendly staff, convenient location, and very spacious. The food was amazing! My husband had the Gyro and potatoes, and I had the Lamb Shank with rice hummus pitta bread grilled chicken and a cake. Not a whole cake. My husband and I shared half. Now my husband had water and I had a sweet tea. The only thing I disliked was the tea. I wish they would've informed me that it's plain tea and I have to add sugar. Even after adding sugar it was not sweet. However, everything taste great! My husband was full but I was still hungry. Lol... We will be back again soon. Congrats on the move....

Was 5 STARS a year ago and I've not been here in a couple months and the owners wasn't here but I'd come from the Racino area down here to eat. I walked in there's maybe 10 people in the place already seated and the employees seem to be busy so I grab a cup to get a drink while I wait, a couple guys came in behind me so I got my utensils and napkins, those 2 were ording because the boy working register knew I was there first but started taking their order. So I took my drink to a table & walked back up to the counter and 6 more people had walked in and I figured I'd go wash my hands and then order, but when I asked if I could get the bathroom key the snotty little fuk working the register looked right at me in front of 8+ people & Asked are you going to buy anything. I said "Well I was gonna get something to eat and to be honest about it I was the 1st person in line and you took their order 1st so I thought I'd go to the bathroom since there's all these other people in front of me now, so I guess if you don't wanna serve me I'll pay for my drink and leave." That's wt I did & after I paid for my drink & ask him his name because I knew the owners, he tried to hand me the bathroom key after he give me change from the $20 he must've thought I didn't have. LMFAO Don't hold this against their food because it's great if they'll serve you. BTW I've got on jeans t-shirt tucked in & a beanie on my head because I'm on the bike, I got a little dirt & oil on my hands that's it. 937-423-9twotoo3 any questions

1 year ago: The lamb shank was awesome as well as the entire meal was delicious and didn't cost me a lot. Will definitely be a return customer in the...