Seeking a new road in retirement after raising their family, local couple introduced the brand at Promenade Center Valley
A former operations manager and a retired police officer began the next chapter in their lives together with the opening of Pennsylvania’s first location of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. The award-winning restaurant serves fresh takes on classic Mediterranean cuisine under the leadership of husband-wife owners Christopher and Marcia Nagy at 2880 Center Valley Parkway, Space 602, in Lehigh Valley’s premier outdoor lifestyle center Promenade Center Valley.
A unique dining concept with a mission to Live Your Life Deliciously, the restaurant serves Mediterranean favorites in an elevated fast-casual atmosphere. The menu includes a range of classic dishes like The Great Greek Gyro and lamb, steak and chicken Souvlaki plates, all prepared in-house using high-quality ingredients and recipes that have been passed down for generations. Selections are complemented by fresh Greek salads and four signature house-made dips, including Hummus, Tzatziki, Melitzanosalata (eggplant dip) and Tirokafteri (spicy roasted red pepper).
“We fell in love with the quality of the food when we first visited the brand in New Jersey – we ordered half the menu and devoured it,” said Christopher, who retired from a career in Air Products and owns the new restaurant with Marcia, a retired police officer. “Everything was just as advertised: fresh, cooked to perfection, great portion sizes, and the hummus was the best we ever had. At that moment, we knew this place would do great in the Lehigh Valley.”
Guests can customize many of its selections, such as the Classic Greek Salad or Rice Bowl with a choice of gyro meat, salmon and more. Unique offerings include made-to-order, fresh Feta Fries and must-have desserts like Baklava, Baklava Ice Cream and Rice Pudding.
“We’re proud to welcome Christopher and Marcia to The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill family,” said Bob Andersen, president of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. “Their energy, enthusiasm and understanding of our brand will serve them well in this new market, as they help us meet the growing demand for cuisine that’s freshly prepared and full of flavor.”
The eatery also specializes in catering for large parties, events and meetings, offering mouthwatering Mediterranean spreads with bold flavors that leave a lasting impression. Catering patrons can choose from build-your-own Gyros and savory Souvlaki Skewers accompanied by buttery Rice Pilaf, crisp Greek Salad, authentic dips and delectable desserts like Baklava to impress guests at any event.
“Our favorite thing on the menu is the Rice Bowl with grilled salmon and a side of hummus with veggies,” Marcia said. “It has everything – a healthy salad with flavorful rice and delicious grilled protein, and we eat hummus with everything.”
The Nagys opened the restaurant as the youngest of their three children heads off to college. As active members of the community for over 20 years, Marcia has supported multiple school sports committees and Christopher has worked with local youth sports programs, currently serving as president for the Saucon Valley Youth Soccer League. Recently, he retired from his position as head coach of the Saucon Valley High School boys’ soccer team. Outside of sports, the Nagys are new members of the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Upper Saucon Chapter and Christopher volunteers his time to Saucon Valley’s Planning Commission.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Center Valley is open Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The 2,550-square-foot restaurant seats 52 guests in the dining room and 12 outside on the patio. Delivery is available through DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats. For more information, call 610-216-6807.
The award winning Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is a leading franchise within the Greek, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant industry, offering a vivacious and flavorful menu inspired by foods in the Mediterranean diet. Every dish is made fresh, in-house from authentic recipes passed down generation after generation. Co-founded by two culinary trained, third-generation restauranteurs, Nick A. Della Penna and Trent Jones, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is an affiliated brand of United Franchise Group, the global leader for entrepreneurs, within the United Franchise Group’s food division, Big Flavor Brands. For more information about The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill locations, menu and catering visit TheGreatGreekGrill.com and for franchise information, visit TheGreatGreekFranchise.com.
Big Flavor Brands specializes in franchises dedicated to creative eating, offering a zesty menu of fast-growing, award-winning food brands with a proven track record of success. From fast-casual restaurants with authentic third-generation recipes like The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, to specialty concepts like the grazing innovator and charcuterie board caterer Graze Craze, and the super-fast, fresh Italian experience of Cannoli Kitchen Pizza, Big Flavor Brands dominate their niches with quality, value, and tasty fare for every occasion. Big Flavor Brands represents the food division of United Franchise Group which is comprised of innovative concepts pushing the boundaries with an unwavering commitment to quality, variety, and the pursuit of joyful eating.
