Eat. Live. Love. At the Olive Pit Grill!
By Erin
If you love a good Mediterranean/Greek meal, have I found the place for you! Nestled off of Bolsa Chica Street in Huntington Beach (they also have a location in Brea, CA as well) there is a true hidden gem, the Olive Pit Grill . This place is a tasty delight for your taste buds. The best part is how fresh the food is and that it is all homemade in-house, which shows in the quality and flavor of every bite. The prices can’t be beat either! We were invited out to try many of their delectable items that they have to offer. I must say, I have been back a handful of times already as I can’t get enough of the stuff! 🙂
Their slogan is Eat. Live. Love. It is very evident as when you are here, you are like family, everyone is so warm and friendly. You definitely eat well here. The love and passion for the food can be seen in everything as well, as everything is homemade daily and made from scratch! You will find many items here that are NOT on their regular menu. They offer many specialty items you will want to check out and try out for yourself! So make sure to ask about them the next time you go!
The first thing we tried was the Frappe “Greek Style” Ice Coffee ($2.25) and the Three Dip Combo ($8.85) which comes with three homemade dips and pita bread. For ours we had the Spicy Cheese, Hummus, & Melitzanosalata (eggplant) dips.
The Ice Coffee was amazing, mine didn’t last long. It was just sweet, smooth, and Frappe enough for my liking. The pita bread was extremely warm, soft and fresh out of the oven! It was tempting to just fill up on the pita bread alone the dips were all so flavorful and tasty!
Next up were three of my many favorites here, the Crispy Asparagus Spears ($6.85), the Grilled Octopus ($9.85), and Calamari ($6.85).
I could seriously eat the Crispy Asparagus Spears all day if I could. Served with a lemon and garlic sauce it’s perfect on a nice summer day (or any day for that matter). The Asparagus was perfectly cooked with a nice crispy, crunch on the outside. The Octopus was also grilled to perfection. If you have not yet tried Octopus before, you are in for a real treat here! You should give it a try. Then the Calamari, which was also a delight to the senses. Nice and crispy on the outside, but tender and tasty on the inside as well.
Our next set of delectable delights on our Mediterranean tour included some entre items. We ordered the Village Salad “Horiatiki,” the original Greek salad ($7); which includes tomato, cucumber, feta, kalamata olive, red onion, sweet pepper, caper, extra virgin olive oil & oregano. The Lamb Chops with Dandelion Greens “Horta” and the Steamed Basmati Rice ($18). We also had an extra side of Roasted Artichoke Hearts ($3.85) and some Mythos- A Greek Lager Beer. ($3.85)
The Lamb Chops were mouth-watering, the best I’ve ever had. Flavorful, tender, finger-licking goodness and it didn’t last long. It didn’t take the Basmati Rice long to disappear either, being very fresh and orgasmic. The Roasted Artichoke Hearts and Dandelion Greens were both firsts for me and were also enjoyable. If you are looking for a nice, light, crisp, salad without all the lettuce filler in it, then the Village Salad will be a must for you on your visit! I loved how healthy and tasty this salad was, you could taste each ingredient in it and it all blended well together. Mythos was the perfect beverage to wash it all down with as it was very light, smooth, and refreshing.
Then of course, you can’t forget about dessert! Hot Greek Coffee ($1.85), Baklava Ice Cream ($4.85), & Homemade Yogurt with wildflower honey, sour cherries, and toasted walnuts ($4.85).
I am a total sucker for pretty much all things sweet, so I was in heaven with these two choices. I love Baklava, but had never had it with ice cream before. After trying it this way, it left me wondering why I hadn’t thought of having it that way before. A sweet, crispy, crunchy, creamy, treat? Ummm, yes please! Both of these sweet treats provided this sensation. The yogurt is homemade, and the consistency of it was heavenly as it was smooth and left you wanting to lick the plate afterwards. Paired with the wildflower honey, sour cherries, and walnuts this would make a lovely breakfast or afternoon snack too. The portions were all so marvelously large, a true value.
The next time you are in either Huntington Beach or Brea, in Southern California you will definitely want to check this place out. I know I will be back for sure!
Chef Yianni, the mastermind of the Olive Pit Grill. A Southern California native; born in Long Beach, CA and raised in Yorba Linda, CA he has worked with other great award-winning chefs such as Wolfgang Puck, before venturing on his own to create the beloved Olive Pit Grill.
Disclosure: I was given a complimentary meal for purposes of this review. All thoughts and opinions remain my own. I highly recommend this place if you are in the Southern California area and I have been here quite a few times on my own since this because I love this place so much! 🙂
That food looks amazing! Wish I lived in SoCal!
Mel Outnumbered recently posted..Sesame Street Cereal Review & Giveaway
I’ve never heard of this but it looks amazing!
That looks like such an awesome place to eat! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a Greek restaurant.
OurFamilyWorld recently posted..Free Two-Week Trial to Reading Eggs
I am often in the Brea area since I don’t life far and had no idea this place was there. I am always looking for a great place to have lamb and baklava forget it I’ll be in heaven. Thanks for the shae can’t wait to try it out 🙂
ooh yummy! that plate of lamb chops is making me drool. Hubby loves Mediterranean food so he’ll want to check this one out.
WOW! Thank for sharing such a wonderful article! Love the pics! Makes me want to jump on a plane and go there! 🙂 I love Greek food and desserts. I, like you, have never had Baklava with ice cream! Yum!
Alexandra McAllister recently posted..Organo Gold Ganoderma – The Different Forms And Benefits
The food looks amazing!! Makes me want to go eat there….if only we had an Olive Pit Restaurant where I live.
Sofia recently posted..iGozen: Household Organic Cleaners
Okay, you just made me incredibly hungry! And I love Greek food… So now I am thinking about what I will have for lunch… I love all the pink in your site btw. 🙂
Angie M Jordan recently posted..Why You Aren’t Making Money From Your Blog
My first time coming to this blog. I must say you are doing a fantastic job!
-Seun
Oluwaseun Babajide recently posted..Get Him Committed after a Date – 5 Magical Secrets that Work
I do love olives. Your images are beautiful and your article is delicious. I love reading your blog Erin!
How YUMMY does all that food look?! I wish there were an Olive Pit Grill locally 🙂
Dawn Kropp recently posted..Introducing Campus Book Rentals
I don’t even know where to begin. I LOVE olives and every dish look more amazing than the next! Oh how I wish I lived nearby. I would need to dropin for some lunch immediately! 🙂 May have to plan a road trip…
Mmmmmm…that’s some serious food!
Oh my gosh — this all looks and sounds amazing!!
That looks good!
Mary T recently posted..San Diego International Boat Show @SDIntlBoatShow (Ticket Giveaway ends 6/15)
I love good Greek and have had it only once in all the years since I left So Cal. And the one place we found here went out of business. This makes me want to travel back to California for a lunch date.
Marie Leslie recently posted..Improve your Work Space, Increase your Productivity
Sounds like a great place to go! Greek food is my favorite:) I will have to check it out! Thanks:)
What an amazing looking meal! I must admit that iced coffee looked so good, probably the best to me at this moment lol The food looked delish too!
MzBaker @ Daleville Alabama Kitchens recently posted..Big June Giveaway!
Looks like my kind of food! Wish it was nearer to me!
Carolyn Hughes recently posted..You’re worth it.
Their food are powerfully delicious! Wish we have the resto here too!
the coffee looks amazing! I have never heard of this restaurant before, sounds great!
I’ve been eating at the Brea location almost since it first opened. My fave is the asparagus spears & calamari too. We never seem to have room for dessert, but looking at that baklava ice cream, we just might have to make room!
Ann recently posted..Tustin Chili Cook-Off & Street Fair
This is my favorite food! We went to a Greek Festival this weekend… the food is amazing!
NOW I’m hungry! This looks amazing.
OMGOMGOMG, that just screams for a road-trip!!! YUMMMM
Yvonne recently posted..Big TOOBS Giveaway
Being the foodie that I am, I certainly am going to put that place on my list! Thanks for sharing it!!
OMG, I’m soooooooooo drooling. LOVE Mediterranean food. num.
MamaRed recently posted..What is the RIGHT question to ask to build your business?
After seeing your photo of ice coffee, I want some now. Yummy.
The food also looked very good, thank you for sharing.
Christy Garrett recently posted..My Daughter’s Second Cochlear Implant Surgery
This all looks so amazing!
katrina Bettetts recently posted..An amazing social media opportunity for 3 small businesses
This all looks SO yummy, especially the iced coffee (one of my very favorite drinks in the world!). Wow…wish I was there with you!
Sherie recently posted..Have You Always Wanted to Be a Detective?
I just cannot visit this site without wanting something delicious to eat. That baklava with ice cream sounds wonderful. I have had Turkish baklava so I assume it is similar to Greek baklava? Our daughter-n-law is from Turkey so I am familiar with some Turkish food.
Pat Moon recently posted..How To Live With Heart Problems and Wrap Your Head Around Them
I’m a big fan of Mediterranean food. This looks very well done, too. Thanks for sharing!
Shari recently posted..Love & order
Thanks for sharing!! The pictures look great and the hummus looks delish!
Yvonne Brown
This looks amazing and I want to go now!
Anita recently posted..The Easy Way to Effective Time Management
Oh YUM!! This looks really delish and inspiring – I love olives and Greek cuisine! Thanks for sharing your experience here… now I have to go off and have some lunch 🙂
Moira Hutchison recently posted..Increasing Your Motivation
Oh my I have grown to love Greek food. I can’t get it where I love but when I travel.. oh how I love to get me so of it! You have made me so hungry! lol
Elizabeth Maness recently posted..Increase Traffic to your Website by Recycling your Content!
I love trying different cuisines and this Greek treat sounds delightful. Thanks for the mouth-watering review Erin.
Carla J Gardiner recently posted..3 Essential Steps to Successful Blogging
Fantastic food review and blog post. I wanted to fly out to California to try it. It is now on my must visit list! Can’t wait for you next post!
Katrina recently posted..Thank You
The food sounds fantastic! I would like to fly out to California, too, If I am ever in the area, I will definitely be trying the Olive Pit Grill.
The flavors of Mediterranean foods are already so pungent and marvelously contrasting … and the pictures brought all those flavors to life in my mouth. Ten-thirty on a Sunday night … where can I find a good Mediterranean restaurant here in South Florida? Drats, California’s too far! (Great review, by the way …)
Sharon O’Day recently posted..Financial Independence: A Quick and Dirty Path to Freedom
Yum! I never thought of pairing baklava and ice cream together, but that looks really wonderful!
Helena Bowers recently posted..Four Good Reasons To Keep an Open Mind
Looks like an awesome place for Greek food – actually one of my favorite cuisine & will definitely need to look the Olive Pit up when I’m in the area. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Gary Hyman (Google Plus Coaching) recently posted..Google Hangout Events: Do I Need a Google Account?
I want to climb off my computer right into your blog post and eat this yummy food.