Owner, Mohamed Hassan, brought a great deal of
experience with him when he opened the Happy Greek Restaurant
and Pub on August 4, 2003. In 1988 Mohamed began his career in
the Kitchen while living in Egypt where he learned to cook Greek
and Mediterranean food. He soon moved to London, England where
he worked at the Wine and Kabob House. Opened in 1929, it was
one of the oldest Greek restaurants in the city. “During that
time, the executive chef trained me in everything and after only
6 months I was the executive chef’s assistant” Mohamed says. “I
really learned a lot from him.”
Four years later, Mohamed moved to
New York where he worked in several Greek restaurants throughout
the city. When he got started a family, he decided Columbus
would be a better place to raise his children.
In Columbus Mohamed started out
working in a couple country clubs. “That added to my knowledge
about other types of cuisine and things like presentation,” he
says. He also worked at Greek restaurant, European Taverna Opa,
and while he was there, it was named Best Greek Restaurant
proving that Mohamed must have the magic touch since it is a
title The Happy Greek Restaurant and Pub has enjoyed for two
years now. An annual feature of
Columbus Monthly, Mohamed says this award is
particularly special because it’s the people’s choice.
Location - Mohamed had good reason for choosing the
Short North
to open his first restaurant. “First of all I feel like it’s a
family here. Everyone knows each other, you think it’s a huge
community, but actually no, it’s a very tight community,” he
says. “They like arts, they like food, they know about taste,
they are educated people; they know and appreciate what I am
doing here.” Mohamed likes the area so much, he moved his
family here. “I love the Short North. I really feel like it’s
the heart of Columbus, that’s why I decided to live in short
north, not just have a business in the short north, I feel like
I blend with the short north.” The Happy Greek is more than a
business to Mohamed; it’s his way of offering his talent and
know-how wholeheartedly to the community.Hours - Monday thru Thursday: 11:30 a.m.
to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 11p.m. and Sunday
noon to 9 p.m.Price range – $5.50 to $14.99Atmosphere – Mohamed wanted to bring the
warm feel of the Mediterranean to his customers with beautiful
murals. “I love art and I believe food is art. The atmosphere,
the colors, it’s very important when you’re going out to eat.”
After working in so many Greek restaurants, Mohamed found that
most of them go with a
standard décor of blue and white to reflect the Greek flag,
but he wanted to evoke the feel of the Mediterranean instead.
“I wanted to do it different, I wanted to create a different,
warmer atmosphere,” he says. “When I was looking around I felt
like [the Short North] would understand my idea, absorb it,
feel it more, believe in it.”Clientele – Mohamed considers about 80%
of his customers “regulars.” “I know them by name, they know me
by name. It has become almost a family,” he says. “I feet like
they support me so much and I appreciate the support. They
worked with me so much from day one. And that’s why I feel like
we have become a part of the Short North.” The Happy Greek stays
in touch with the clients by offering an
e-newsletter keeping them up to date on special events and
anything new that is going on in the restaurant.Food – It’s hard to pick out a favorite
dish with such a variety. The majority of the menu serves up
traditional Greek dishes such as dolmadakia, mousaka and
tzatziki, but Mohamed says he can’t deny his Egyptian roots, so
he also serves Mediterranean favorites such as falafel and
hummus. “If the menu changes it’s because I add to it,” he says.
And while he is busy running the restaurant with his wife and
co-owner, Gihan Zalat (Gigi), Mohamed says he still gets in the
kitchen quite a bit to cook. “I have a hand in everything,” he
laughs.Box Lunches – Great for large meetings or
gatherings, The Happy Greek offers
box lunches.Carryout – If, unfortunately, you don’t have time to stop and enjoy
the warm atmosphere of the restaurant, you can call ahead and pick your
order up.Catering - The Happy Greek Restaurant
caters special events, office luncheons or private parties.
Choose from items on
their menu.Happy Anniversary! - Every year on August 4, The Happy
Greek celebrates one more year of success. “The anniversary
shows appreciation for the customers and for the Short North,”
Mohamed says. He emails the customers to say, because they
support The Happy Greek all year, it is their turn to be
appreciated. “It’s a very important day for us. It’s a family
day. We have a wonderful time, some drinks, and a great buffet.”New Location – In May, The Happy Greek Restaurant and Pub
opened a new location at 1554 N. High St., as part of the
South Campus Gateway Project.
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blue and white to reflect the Greek flag,
but he wanted to evoke the feel of the Mediterranean instead.
“I wanted to do it different, I wanted to create a different,
warmer atmosphere,” he says. “When I was looking around I felt
like [the Short North] would understand my idea, absorb it,
feel it more, believe in it.”
