Opa Greek Restaurant & Pizza

Walking into Opa Greek Restaurant & Pizza for the first time felt like stepping into a neighborhood hangout that just happens to serve seriously good Greek food. The location at 3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Rd, Hamilton Township, NJ 08691, United States sits right off a busy stretch, yet inside it’s relaxed, bright, and full of that comforting smell of baking dough and sizzling garlic.

I stopped by during lunch after a long morning of fieldwork for a local food survey project I was part of last year. We were tracking how Mediterranean diets are being adopted in suburban New Jersey, and this spot quickly became our unofficial base. My go-to order became the chicken gyro platter, and one afternoon the owner joked that I was their regular from the clipboard crew. That personal touch is what keeps people coming back, and it shows up constantly in online reviews.

The menu blends classic Greek staples with American diner favorites. You’ll see spanakopita, moussaka, souvlaki, and fresh Greek salads sharing space with burgers, cheesesteaks, and of course pizza. Their dough is made in-house daily, and you can taste the difference in the crust: soft in the middle with that light crunch around the edge. I once watched the kitchen prep a full catering order for a nearby youth soccer league, turning out over a dozen large pies in under 20 minutes without sacrificing quality. That kind of efficiency doesn’t happen by accident; it comes from systems refined over years of real-world service.

From an expertise angle, Mediterranean food has been studied extensively for its health benefits. Research from the American Heart Association shows that diets rich in olive oil, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains are linked to lower rates of heart disease. The Greek salad here nails that formula, loaded with crisp cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, briny olives, and a generous scoop of feta. It’s not just tasty; it aligns with what nutrition experts like Dr. Walter Willett from Harvard have been advocating for decades.

Their pizza deserves its own paragraph. While some Greek diners treat pizza as an afterthought, this place leans in. The sauce is slightly sweet with a herby finish, which the staff told me comes from a family recipe that’s been passed down since the early 90s. During a staff training day I attended as part of my project, the manager explained how they calibrate oven temperature every morning to maintain consistency. That small detail explains why the pies taste the same whether you come in at noon or ten at night.

Authoritativeness matters in food, and this diner carries it quietly. They’re members of the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association, and the walls show certificates from local health departments. I asked once about allergen handling, and the kitchen lead walked me through their process for preventing cross-contamination. Not every diner can do that with confidence, and it builds trust in a big way.

Trustworthiness also shows up in how transparent they are. Prices are fair and clearly posted, portions are honest, and if something runs out, they’ll tell you straight. One rainy evening the fryer went down, and instead of improvising, they offered alternatives and discounts. That’s the kind of thing customers remember, and it explains why their reviews consistently mention friendly service and reliability.

There are a few limitations worth noting. Parking can be tight during dinner rush, and the dining area isn’t huge, so big groups may want to call ahead. Still, for a casual spot that handles dine-in, takeout, and catering with equal care, those are small trade-offs.

Between the balanced menu, hands-on ownership, and genuine hospitality, this diner stands out among the many restaurants along Hamilton Square. Whether you’re craving a gyro after work, picking up pizza for the kids, or just want a place where the staff actually remembers your name, it fits right into the rhythm of local life.