The Greek House

A gyro from The Greek House in Norman, Okla. 

(Photo by Kasey Chapman)

When someone thinks of Greece, they likely conjure up images of mythological gods, fantastic artistry and breathtaking architecture.  Although Norman’s The Greek House may not outwardly resemble this type of grandeur and splendor generally associated with the Mediterranean country, its owners have perfected their own masterpiece over the past 30 years: delicious Greek cuisine.

Bill Dimas, whose parents own the restaurant, works as The Greek House manager.  After emigrating from Prosimni, Greece in 1978, the Dimas family wanted to bring their own tastes of home to Norman, Okla.  One year later, they did just that.

“We first opened the restaurant for foreign students – people from [the] Middle East, Lebanese, Greek students – because back in ‘79 the university had around 2,000, 3,000 foreign students from [the] Middle East, Greece or Turkey, and they were exposed to this kind of food,” Dimas said.

Dimas, who was only 17 when his family arrived in the United States, received a master’s degree in microbiology from Central State University.  Dimas said he has seen the restaurant’s clientele expand during his years in Norman to include more American customers.

“Little by little, day by day, the American customers started getting used to this kind of food,” he said.

Those American customers can’t seem to get enough of The Greek House.  In fact, Dimas said some people are fourth generation customers and that many dine in two or three times a week – a statement echoed by The Greek House employee Kc Vest.

                   “We have a lot of regulars that come on a weekly basis,” she said. “We know what they order, we see their car and we start making their food.”

                  One of those regulars, Scott Miller of Norman, insisted that his friend, Weslee Christian, try The Greek House’s gyros because of their generous portions and top-notch quality.

                  “[Scott] actually told me about this place and what a great place it was, and it was very good,” said Christian, a Corpus Christi, Texas resident.  “I'm very impressed with it.”

                  The Greek House’s customers aren’t the only ones that have been impressed by their food.  Just this year the Oklahoma Gazette named the restaurant the “Best Mediterranean Restaurant – Best of OKC” runner up.  The Greek House has also been recognized by The Oklahoman’s Readers’ Choice Awards.  It has been a top five finalist for five years – 1994, 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2004.

                  The Greek House has also seen its fair share of high profile Oklahoma sports figures such as Troy Aikman, Barry Switzer and Brian Bosworth.

                  Vest, who has worked for the Dimas family for two years, attributes the restaurant’s success to over 30 years of family ownership.  Dimas believes it is the consistent quality that makes his business popular.

“I can say that even now with the economic crisis we have, my business hasn’t slowed down,” he said.

             That popularity is evident on University of Oklahoma game days, Vest said.

“Game days are always memorable because there's nowhere to sit, nowhere to stand and there's a line from here to the light at Jenkins and Boyd.”

Although Norman, Okla., is thousands of miles away from his hometown Greek village, Dimas and his parents return to their native country at least once every two years.  His sister, who received a degree in microbiology from Central State University, moved back to Greece.

Even though The Greek House may not look like a typical Greek restaurant, the sound of Greek music and the taste of the restaurant’s gyros have been transporting customers to the Mediterranean country for over 30 years.  And if the Dimas family has their way, the Greek culture that they love will continue to grow in the American city they now call home.

The Greek House is open 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  It is located at 768 Jenkins Avenue.