Opa's Best Greek American Cuisine — Restaurant in Tucson

Opa! This Place is Legit!

We visited on a Friday evening at about 6:00 pm. This restaurant is located on the end of a strip mall with neon signage that's easy to spot after sunset from busy Broadway Blvd. There is a large bar to the right as you enter. The eatery was pretty full and we were seated in just a few minutes. This place holds a lot of diners with tables fairly close together and it is pretty loud. We did consider dining outdoors on their patio, where they do have decorative and functional gas heaters, but it was a little too cool for us. Unlike many restaurants where a host seats you and a server attends to you during your visit, workers here seem to do it all to meet customer needs. The person that seats you may take your drink order, another person may bring those drinks to you, someone else takes your food order, another brings your appetizers and so on and every worker asks if there is anything else you need. It seems chaotic, but service is actually fast and you're never rushed.

I opted for a beer from a good selection of reasonably priced tap and bottle beers. Wine and cocktail choices are plentiful and also priced well. My wife went with her usual Diet Coke. We were surprised when we were brought a complimentary starter plate (Meze) of hummus, tzatziki, cucumber and pita which were all very tasty. We couldn't pass up on the Flaming Saganaki for an appetizer. Flamed tableside with herb leaves, tomato and lemon, still sizzling when they set it down, accompanied with soft, warm, slightly chewy, nutty flavor pita bread wedges. The saltiness of the hot gooey caramelized cheese along with the lemon on some pita was a great taste sensation. Ordering our entrees was difficult as they have all the classic Greek offerings, but we zeroed in on gyros. My wife ordered the Classic Greek Gyro Sandwich with a Greek Salad side. Greek Fries are an alternate choice. I chose the Gyro Platter which came with lemony Greek rice, Greek salad, pita and tzatziki. Even with as busy as this restaurant was, our meals came out quickly. All the classic Greek salad components with an excellent dressing - not too much vinegar and not stingy with the feta cheese. The rice was perfect with just the right amount of lemon. The pita was warm and soft. We were totally impressed with the gyro meat which is cut off of rotisserie spits. We suspect they make their own as it was not as smoothly processed as most and had a great texture. It was cut much thicker than any we've had before, almost resembling sliced steak. A perfect mix of lamb and beef, garlic and spices and just the right amount of fat, allowed to crisp a bit on the spit. And the amount of meat on both entrees was enough for two people. We brought enough home for a full lunch the next day. This will become a regular place for us as the food and service is great. The challenge for us will be to order something other than gyros. You will not be disappointed dining...

Moments ago:

Just left the establishment. I have been here over ten times this year, including yesterday. I always order the Opas combination platter. Today, my first plate, the rice and spinach pie was over cooked and my potatoes were extremely dry. The wonderful waitress was also kind and has a smiling face. The second plate, where I had the same thing, everything was undercooked except the potatoes.

I asked the wonderful waitress if I could speak to the manager. A young lady walks over telling me that our team says that you're always complaining about the food. My response was how does asking for my food to be very hot is complaining. I'm a well known customer here and always send you patrons.

So you are taking the words of your peers instead of the customer? There wasn't professionalism. It was totally disrespectful of her. Not once did the managers come over. There were two there I was told. Then, the young lady tries to get loud. I stated that I don't do drama. I just wanted the quality food I've had the last ten visits of coming here, including yesterday. I asked her to find out the facts before you take the words of those behind the cooking area. There perception of me is biased and I'm not interested in their opinions of me. If I had other complaints, do you think I would have been coming back here even yesterday? SMH

I asked the young lady if she even looked at my plate I sent back. She said no. My point exactly. Please remember your role is to make sure customers are served quality food not to come to me barking and taking sides with your coworkers. Thank you for allowing me to reveal your unprofessional acts to someone who will not pay for food that isn't quality and then have the audacity to say to me that no one else has complained in a condescending attitude and a snarling voice. My name is Miss Buckley and the Holy Spirit approves this message. Enough said!!

I'm a regular customer who...

Greek is hard to find in Tucson , but Opa's has three casual stops throughout the city. I dined on the east side, which is in a strip mall reminiscent of the 70s or 80s . The interior is cute, the tables are spread out, and I was greeted quickly by my waitress. I'm a wine person, and the menu is small, but I enjoyed a decent glass of Santorini Assyrtiko for $8. They start you with a pita plate, which includes fresh hummus, tzatziki, and crisp cucumbers (this would be a meal enough for me! The pita is very warm and soft, and the dips are very fresh). The menu includes a wide range of platters, gyros, and authentic appetizers. I chose the grilled octopus for my appetizer, which ended up being enough for a lunch entree (I have a very light appetite). I was surprised to see the octopus chopped up, as I'm used to the presentation being the entire tentacle. It seemed a bit tough/ chewy, but it was delicious enough for me to clear the plate. The service was appropriate, and the waitress was very friendly and accommodating of my very casual stay. If you're craving Greek while in the Southwest, Opa's will check the box without straining your wallet. I give 4 stars because it isn't a 5 star experience, but it is definitely worth my time and money, and I'm SO glad to finally have a Greek option in Tucson (this place has been closed for dine-in for a lengthy time due to COVID, so I'm thrilled that it came up on Google as "open" again). Check it out, and don't judge this book by its cover! (Reviewer's note: I am a NY-er who spends about 1/4 of the year in Tucson with family and business. While I'm not native to Tucson, I consider this my second home and do a significant amount of dining out while in...