Greece is coming to Auburn this March. Sherif Elbagdadi, a recent Auburn University graduate will be opening Calypsos, a restaurant offering Greek and American cuisine.

Elbagdadi had the idea to open a Greek restaurant, then the space opened up and things began to fall into place.

Calypsos will serve traditional Greek dishes like gyros, kebabs and hummus. In addition, it will also offer burgers, fries, chicken fingers and wings. Desserts will include baklava, rice pudding and flan. For the more traditional American dessert eaters, Calypsos will tender brownies and cookies.

Calypsos will offer a casual environment with patio space. Customers can be in and out, or sit and watch a football game on one of the nine televisions that will be dispersed throughout the restaurant. The relaxed ambience will certainly be an additional benefit, but Elbagdadi has other priorities.

“I want it to be food first and family friendly,” Elbagdadi said. “Everything else is just a bonus.”

He explains that the quality of the food served will come before anything else. Elbagdadi has family in other parts of the country in the restaurant business, and will be using all family recipes.

Two cooks, each with more than 25 years of experience, have been hired to cook with non-packaged, fresh food. The gyros, for example, will be cooked with two vertical broilers, just as they are in Greece. Turn-around time, from order to receiving food, will be no more than 10 minutes at Calypsos. Even so, nothing will be pre-made, but completely fresh.

“People are going to get the same food they would in a nice, sit-down restaurant for a reasonable price,” Elbagdadi said.

Sandwich meals, including fries and drink, will be $6.95. Platter meals will include rice, hummus, salad, kebab and a drink for $8.95. Customers can also choose to have their meal delivered.

Calypsos will be opening in mid-March. Hours will be Monday through Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.; and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is located on South College Street near Bizilia’s and Taylor’s Coffee.