Fall 2023 Featured Business
November 10, 2023
The Greek Spot
Located in a strip mall off Route 33 alongside common New Jersey storefronts including a bagel shop, a convenience store and a pizza place, the Greek Spot in Manalapan stands apart on the corner as a “little slice of Greece." For Eric Rousakas, who previously owned a diner and most recently a Perkins, his dream has always been to open a restaurant that was more personal, non-corporate, with a family feel. After helping Greek Spot partner, Bobby Lekkas, for ten years managing his already established Greek Spot locations in Red Bank and Ocean Township, Rousakas said he “thought there is nothing like this food, and not just because I am in the business” and jumped at the opportunity to open the Manalapan location with Lekkas when he discovered the available space.
Described as a family-owned business, Lekkas and Rousakas, while professional partners for over a decade, their relationship extends beyond the success of the restaurant. Bobby baptized Eric’s daughter and Bobby’s wife, Angela, created and cooks the traditional recipes at all three of the Greek Spot locations. The Manalapan Greek Spot location draws an extremely local crowd, exactly the family feel Rousakas dreamed about and says he “can’t believe how many customers will come in, talk to this table, talk to the other table…everyone knows one another." Many are repeat customers, coming in four or five times a week, often ordering their usual, favorite dishes.
For diners unfamiliar with Greek cuisine, Rousakas recommends the popular spanakopita dish, a homemade spinach pie, as well as the beef and lamb gyros. The dish Rousakas can’t live without? Lamb soulvaki. And, to the delight of the regulars, you won’t find the menu constantly changing at The Greek Spot, which focuses on delivering quality driven, traditional recipes and dishes.
Open every day from 11AM – 9PM, the Greek Spot Manalapan is a BYOB restaurant, offering takeout, outdoor, seasonal seating and dinner reservations (highly recommended, especially on weekends).
About Amboy Bank:
It is the personal relationship and sense of community that led to Rousakas’s relationship with Amboy Bank. In addition to the proximity to the restaurant (there is an Amboy branch in the same town as all three Greek Spot locations), Rousakas was drawn to the same non-corporate feel as his restaurant and the personal and friendly service that doesn’t require him to call an 800 number.
Repeatedly, Rousakas described The Greek Spot relationship with Amboy Bank as “friendly” and jokes that he was drawn to Amboy Manalapan Branch Manager Debby Chudnovsky’s “charm." In fact, Chudnovsky regularly will check in with Rousakas, and not just when regularly frequenting the restaurant for her favorite lamb dish. Rousakas especially enjoys walking in to the branch without needing to make an appointment but will still receive the high level of service he appreciates in his own business, as well. Beyond her charm and friendly service, Rousakas adds Chudnovsky’s personalized attention has extended beyond typical banking services, she has also introduced Rousakas to other business groups and personal connections in the community.
Especially in the restaurant business, Rousakas says it is essential to have easy, every day access to a bank to make deposits and get change for the restaurants. As a New Jersey community bank, Amboy has been helping businesses launch and thrive locally for over 135 years. With more than 20 branches in the Monmouth and Middlesex counties, Amboy is dedicated to keeping their doors open to maintain the individualized service it has become synonymous with over the years.
Contact Info:
The Greek Spot
130 Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726
732-252-6888
Open everyday 11am to 9pm
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