If you have ever visited downtown Waterville, you are likely to have come across OPA. OPA is a Greek and Mediterranean restaurant located in the heart of downtown Waterville, just across the street from the Bill and Joan Alfond Main Street Commons. These two buildings are so close, in fact, that just looking out the windows at OPA will give you a clear view of the Commons.
With this restaurant being easily accessible, either by driving, taking the shuttle, or just taking a quick walk across the street depending on where you live, you should know about OPA’s College Student Meal Plan. This meal plan is open to college students studying in or near Waterville, including Colby College students, Thomas College Students, and Kennebec Valley Community College students. Just show your student ID, and you are good to go.
The meal plan runs from Monday to Wednesday and includes two options. The first option is one main plate and one soft drink for $20, and the second option is one appetizer, one main plate, and one soft drink for $30. The six main plate options are souvlaki, gyro (pork or chicken), carbonara, pastitsio, falafel, and moussaka, and the four appetizer options are spanakopita, dolmathes, pikilia, and horiatiki or helenika.
Sotirios Gudis, the owner of OPA, was born and raised in Waterville and opened OPA in January of 2019. He said, “I was actually out of state, kind of moved back here, and decided to open up a Greek Mediterranean restaurant here… We’ve been part of the community forever.”
Gudis was inspired by his and his staff’s college experience when putting together this meal plan. He said, “We were sitting around one of the days and talking about our college experience. I have a ton of kids that work for me that are, you know, part time here, or are full time college students as well, with their job here. This kind of got me thinking about when I went to school. I was at UNH, and we offered this meal deal…[that] we could use that at any of our local stores that accepted it. It was like dining dollars.” Gudis figured doing something similar with his restaurant would be a good way to get local college students “to come and enjoy downtown” and to give a “cool reason to come downtown with your friends and hang out for a night.”
Being in the heart of downtown Waterville with college students out and about, Gudis enjoys the atmosphere of being located in a college town. “Colby brings a nice atmosphere,” he said, “The kids are good. I enjoy them.” Although activity dies down a little with the winter cold weather, Gudis enjoys the spring downtown atmosphere: “Obviously, as winter kind of comes through, it is a little bit different. The weather’s cold and people are in and out, but springtime downtown is awesome. You see, the kids will start running and then you have groups of kids walking around with coffees and stuff like that, so it’s enjoyable.”
His good reputation and relationship with Colby College are also things he wants to continue: “We do a ton of catering for them. Something that I would love to continue and keep doing.” He further mentioned how OPA was “off the walls” during this year’s parent’s weekend, so being close to and involved with the colleges nearby is “definitely a supporting factor” for the restaurant.
Winnie Ulland `28 is among the group of people who have brought their parents to OPA during parents’ weekend, having gone with her dad last year. Additionally, Ulland used the student meal deal this past JanPlan when she went with her friends. She said, “The gyro is good, and it’s worth it for twenty dollars.” While not included in the meal deal, Ulland also told me that she thinks their dessert plate is really good. She also feels like OPA is a “hidden gem,” further saying that “their desserts are fun” and how she enjoys the bread and olive oil.
Regarding how long the meal plan is going to last, Gudis said, “I would love to keep it going for the duration that we are here. I don’t think it’s a temporary thing. I think we would like to run it as long as we continue to have support from all the schools, not just Colby. Last night we had Thomas kids that were in here. We had a couple faculty members and stuff that were from [Kennebec Valley Community College] that came in. So, I would like to continue that, keep it going.”
Whether you need somewhere to eat with family, are getting dinner with friends, or want delicious Greek and Mediterranean food, consider visiting OPA. Plus, with the OPA College Student Meal Plan, from Monday through Wednesday we students can get this delicious food for a good deal.
~ Haley Hegarty `28
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