The Faces of the Golden Strip invite you to meet Angelo Drosinis, the newest addition to The Faces of the Golden Strip community blog! Angelo is the owner/chef of Olive Tree Pizza and Grill located at 411 W Butler Rd in Mauldin. His two twin children Jimmy (son) and Eleni (daughter) also work alongside him at the family restaurant. The menu features Greek, Italian and American cuisine. Personally I could drink their homemade salad dressing by the bottle. Okay, not really a whole bottle at one time……but it is soooo good!
Due to the Covid-19, Olive Tree Pizza and Grill is offering 15% off curbside take-out orders ( must call ahead) to 864-284-9050. Home delivery is another option and can be ordered online.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current profession?
A: All my life I have worked in restaurants. I’ve always worked for family owned restaurants. I don’t like franchises.
Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
A: Cooking is what I enjoy. That’s my passion!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in the Golden Strip area?
A: I’ve been here in this area since 1977.
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: Greece. Back in Greece in the 60’s there was poverty and that’s what brought my parents to the States in 1969.
Q: How long has Olive Tree Pizza and Grill been here in the Golden Strip?
A: 18 years
Q: What are some of the most popular menu items ordered by your customers?
A: Chicken Milano, Shrimp Alfredo, Chicken Alfredo, Pizzas, and Subs. Some customers also ask to purchase a bottle of our homemade Greek salad dressing to take home with them.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I would have to say Greece. Not only because it’s my country but because it’s been seven or eight years since I’ve been back and only been able to stay there for a couple of weeks. I sort of miss it. My daughter is there.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Saturday Night Fever. There are other movies I enjoy seeing too. I’ve seen Sniper about 4 or 5 times. Another old movie I’ve seen was Papillon. It is the 70’s version with Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen.
Q: What words come to mind when you think of home?
A: It’s where you find your peace at.
Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: All music from the 70’s. Led Zeppelin would be my number one.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: Retired maybe. Well not completely retired, just not working as many hours. I’d like to slow down a little and look at life a little differently. You don’t want to stop working or you will die if you stop working.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: I learned most of my cooking through my mother and my four sisters and whatever else I have picked up in the industry.
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A: Denzel Washington. I’ve seen The Equalizer quite a few times. I’ve watched quite a few of his movies all through the years, and I think he’s a very interesting and talented movie star.
Q: What is one thing you would recommend to enhance the community?
A: For Mauldin, I would like to see the city officials attract more retail businesses. Maybe even provide incentives for these retail shops; like no taxes or reduced taxes for five years.
Q: Who else would you like to see nominated as a Face of the Golden Strip?
A: Gretchen Grounsell from Gretchen’s ABS Cakes and Cafe.
