Nick the Greek, a fast-casual Greek street food restaurant that offers classic gyros, bowls, and more, is getting ready to expand its presence through San Diego with a new site in Mira Mesa at 6765 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Suite #146.
The Northern California-based chain currently has one location in downtown on the ground floor of DiamondView Tower. Now, franchise owners Gary and Mina Tully are getting ready to open this location later this year in the former home of WaBa Grill in the Plaza Sorrento shopping center. However, an exact opening date is unknown. Gary tells What Now San Diego that this is the first of three locations the duo plans to open. What Now reported last year when Nick the Greek announced three multi-unit franchise development deals across three states, including five units each in Salt Lake City and Nashville and three in San Diego. The franchise owners recently submitted documentation for this first location to the San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality.
Nick the Greek has greatly accelerated expansion efforts in recent years, adding dozens of new locations and increasing its store count by nearly 100 percent since 2021. Today, guests can find Nick the Greek restaurants throughout seven states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Utah. By strategically establishing locations in high-visibility downtown metro areas, Nick the Greek has reached large audiences and steadily developed a diverse and devoted fan base. The brand has identified key markets throughout the Western U.S. and is seeking franchise partners interested in expanding their portfolios with a progressive, fast-casual brand on the rise.
The West Coast-based chain recently opened in Irvine, according to a press release. The newest restaurant is owned and operated by experienced franchisee Kaushik Patel, who owns three other Nick the Greek locations in Southern California. Following the successful opening in Yorba Linda last year, the Irvine restaurant marks the brand’s fourth location in Orange County, further expanding Nick the Greek’s Golden State footprint. With more than 80 locations in operation and dozens more in development, Nick the Greek is poised to reach 100 restaurants systemwide by the end of 2025, highlighting the growing demand for high-quality Greek street food across the U.S.
Nick the Greek has launched its Mediterranean Steak Bowl, a flavorful twist on Mediterranean cuisine, as reported by QSR Magazine. Developed under renowned chef Luis Moreno, the bowl features seasoned steak, fresh vegetables, crisp chickpeas, and fan-favorite hummus, with a creamy touch from toum and a spicy kick from harissa. This dish, the first created by Chef Moreno since he joined the brand last year, showcases his culinary expertise while honoring Greek roots. Served over a hearty rice base, it includes tender steak with chimichurri sauce, nutrient-rich kale in red wine vinaigrette, fresh cucumbers, grape tomatoes, pickled onions, and crispy chickpeas. The Mediterranean Steak Bowl is now available at all locations, alongside other favorites like gyros and souvlaki.
“Our goal with the Mediterranean Steak Bowl was to introduce something fresh and exciting while staying true to the authentic flavors that define Nick the Greek,” Moreno said in a news release. “As my first menu innovation for the brand, we spent months perfecting the recipe – testing different cuts of steak, balancing seasonings, and developing unique ingredients to create a dish that truly stands out, delivers a contemporary twist on Mediterranean cuisine, and supports an elevated dining experience.”
