Roasted turkey and gyro meat on the same Thanksgiving buffet? That pairing alone deserves a standing ovation.
Add mashed potatoes, Greek rice, shrimp, and Pasta Diablo, and the holiday plate suddenly gets a lot more exciting.
The price stays under 25 dollars per person. That covers ham, meatballs, Chicken Marsala, and dessert too.
Nobody has to brine a bird at dawn or scrub a roasting pan at midnight.
The family behind it brings decades of kitchen experience to the table. The founder spent years cooking alongside Greek chefs before opening his own place.
Today, he runs the business with his son, and the kitchen still makes its own pasta.
I appreciate any Iowa spot that treats Thanksgiving like a celebration instead of a chore.
For me, a buffet with Greek rice, Pasta Diablo, and gravy sounds like a smart holiday plan.
Thanksgiving Gets A Mediterranean Twist You Didn’t Know You Needed
Turkey usually gets all the attention on Thanksgiving. At OPA!
Italian & Greek, it has to share the spotlight with gyro meat, shrimp, and Greek rice.
The buffet runs on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The price lands just under 25 dollars per person, which feels downright friendly for a holiday spread.
The lineup covers the comfort classics first. Roasted turkey, ham, and mashed potatoes with gravy hold down the traditional side of the table.
Then things get more interesting. Gyro meat, chicken, beef, meatballs, Pasta Diablo, and Chicken Marsala bring the Greek and Italian personality this restaurant is known for.
Dessert rounds out the whole deal. That means nobody has to fight over who brings the pie this year.
For mixed families, this setup solves a real problem. The relative who only wants turkey stays happy, and the cousin who craves pasta gets a win too.
A spread this varied also takes pressure off the host. Instead of juggling oven timers, you can focus on actual conversation.
Reservations are suggested for the holiday. Booking early is smart, because a deal like this in Iowa tends to catch attention fast.
A Father And Son Built The Story Behind Every Plate
Thirty years is a long time to spend in restaurant kitchens. Chef and owner Rigo Ochoa has logged more than that, much of it working alongside Greek cooks.
He opened his own restaurant in 2001. Before OPA! existed, he owned Yanni’s in Newton, so plenty of Iowa diners may already know his cooking.
In 2019, Rigo and his son Jon renamed the business OPA! Italian & Greek.
The current West Des Moines location opened in September 2020.
That timing took some nerve. Launching a new restaurant during that year showed real commitment to the community and the craft.
The family connection still runs deep today. Jon personally answers many online comments, and he often signs his replies with his first name.
Even the name carries meaning. OPA! is an expression of joy and cheer, the kind of thing people shout when a celebration hits its peak.
That spirit fits Thanksgiving nicely. A holiday about gratitude and gathering pairs well with a restaurant literally named after happy shouting.
Family-owned places bring a different kind of care. When your name is on the door, every plate becomes personal, and that feeling matters on a holiday.
Fresh Pasta And Garlic Knots Steal The Show
Shortcuts don’t get much love in this kitchen. The team makes its own pasta, slow-cooks its sauces, and bakes fresh garlic knots every day.
Those garlic knots have earned a serious fan base. They pop up constantly in online chatter about the restaurant, and they often show up in bread baskets with meals.
One helpful detail for Thanksgiving diners is worth mentioning. Garlic knots aren’t included in the published holiday buffet lineup, so ask the restaurant whether they’ll be available that day.
The pasta deserves its own applause too. The gnocchi is handmade from potato, giving it a soft, pillowy style that differs from regular noodles.
Alfredo gnocchi has picked up praise for its peppery sauce and generous servings. Leftovers seem like a strong possibility with that dish.
On Thanksgiving, Pasta Diablo joins the buffet lineup. It’s one of the more talked-about dishes on the regular menu, so seeing it at the holiday table makes sense.
Scratch cooking matters more on a buffet than people think. Food made with care holds its flavor better, and that shows when you go back for seconds.
Honestly, homemade pasta beside roasted turkey sounds like a genius holiday combo.
Your Server Might Set Your Cheese On Fire
Few appetizers come with their own light show. The saganaki at OPA!
Italian & Greek is a flaming asiago cheese dish that turns dinner into a little performance.
Your server lights the cheese tableside. Lemon douses the flames, leaving a browned, bubbly cheese ready for sharing.
It’s a classic move in Greek restaurants, and people often shout the word opa when the flames rise. Here, the restaurant’s name practically doubles as the cue.
Saganaki isn’t listed on the Thanksgiving buffet. Still, it’s worth knowing about for a future visit when you order from the regular menu.
The Greek side of the menu runs deep. Moussaka, spanakopita, and souvlaki platters all share space with the flaming cheese.
The lamb gyro gets especially strong praise. It’s often named among the better Greek bites around the Des Moines metro.
Kids tend to love the drama of tableside fire. Adults usually enjoy it just as much, even if they act cool about it.
A dish like this tells you something about the restaurant’s personality. It’s fun, a little bold, and clearly happy to make a meal memorable.
Plan a return trip just for the flames.
Italian Comfort Food Gets Equal Billing Here
Two cuisines under one roof could feel crowded. At this spot, Italian and Greek dishes sit side by side like old friends at a holiday table.
The Italian half of the menu covers plenty of ground. Baked lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, and a lineup of chicken, veal, steak, and seafood dishes all appear.
Chicken Marsala earns a spot on the Thanksgiving buffet. Meatballs join it too, bringing a hearty, red-sauce feel to the holiday spread.
The Creamy Steak de Burgo is another name that comes up often. It nods to a Des Moines favorite style of steak, which gives the menu a local touch.
Having both cuisines makes group meals easier. One person can go full Greek while another sticks with familiar pasta, and nobody feels stuck.
That flexibility is part of the charm. A restaurant that handles two traditions well is giving diners twice the reasons to come back.
On Thanksgiving, this mix really shines. You can build a plate with turkey, gravy, meatballs, and Greek rice without anyone raising an eyebrow.
Some holidays call for tradition. Others call for a little creative plating, and this buffet happily supports both moods.
The Dining Room Feels Like A Family Gathering Spot
Fancy tablecloths and stiff service aren’t the goal here. The atmosphere leans warm and unpretentious, which makes it easy to relax over a long meal.
The restaurant works for many kinds of outings. Date nights, birthday dinners, and family meals all fit naturally in this space.
It isn’t a giant banquet hall. The cozy size gives it a neighborhood feel, the kind of place where the staff might recognize returning faces.
Family runs deep among the team as well. Jon has shared that his mother has worked with the business for over 25 years.
That kind of long-term loyalty is rare in restaurants. It suggests the place functions a lot like the family it represents.
Thanksgiving fits that vibe perfectly. Sharing a holiday meal in a family-run room feels closer to a home dinner than a chain stop.
Walk-ins are always welcome on regular days. For the holiday buffet, though, reservations are the smarter move.
A relaxed room also helps with mixed groups. Grandparents, toddlers, and teens can all share a table without anyone feeling out of place.
Comfort matters on a holiday. This dining room seems built for exactly that kind of easygoing gathering.
Bigger Groups Can Grab The Private Room
Large families make Thanksgiving planning tricky. Fitting twenty-plus relatives around one table is a puzzle most home dining rooms can’t solve.
OPA! Italian & Greek offers a private dining room that holds about 25 to 30 guests.
There’s no separate room fee to use it, but the restaurant requires a minimum spend ranging from $350 to $500.
That’s an important detail for anyone planning a gathering. Larger groups may already expect to spend that amount, but confirming the requirement and the room’s holiday availability is essential.
The room has hosted big moments before. One couple even held their wedding dinner there, which says a lot about how special the space can feel.
Reservations are accepted for any party size. That makes planning easier whether you’re bringing six people or a full family reunion.
The restaurant also has a welcoming patio. It’s a nice option during warmer Iowa months, though late November weather may have other plans.
Catering is available too. Weddings and corporate gatherings are among the events the team handles outside the dining room.
For a holiday crowd, the private room could be the real secret weapon. Everyone stays together, conversation flows, and nobody has to wash dishes afterward.
Call early if your group is large.
Getting There Is Easy From Anywhere In The Metro
Location can make or break a holiday plan. Nobody wants a long, stressful drive before turkey.
You’ll find the restaurant at 2800 University Ave Ste 450, West Des Moines, IA 50266. University Avenue is a major route, so reaching it from around the Des Moines metro is straightforward.
That convenience matters on Thanksgiving. Families coming from different suburbs can meet in the middle without anyone grumbling about the drive.
Regular hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. into the evening. Sunday is a shorter day, open only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Mondays are closed.
The holiday buffet keeps a midday schedule. Running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., it leaves the rest of the day free for football, naps, or a long walk.
An early afternoon meal also works well for families with little ones. Kids can eat at a reasonable time and still make it home for bedtime.
Out-of-town visitors benefit too. Anyone staying in West Des Moines for the holiday has an easy option nearby.
A central spot plus a flexible window makes this Iowa buffet one of the simpler holiday plans around.
The Buffet Fun Doesn’t Stop After Thanksgiving
Missed the holiday? No worries, because buffets are kind of a regular thing at OPA!
Italian & Greek.
A lunch buffet runs Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s one of the most talked-about features of the whole restaurant.
The Saturday spread is especially budget friendly. It includes gyro meat, chicken, beef, pita bread, pizza, salad, and pastas.
Gyro buffets also show up on Thursdays and Saturdays. For gyro fans, that’s basically a standing weekly invitation.
Holiday buffets aren’t limited to Thanksgiving either. The restaurant has hosted special spreads on days like Father’s Day, and Valentine’s Day specials have drawn attention as well.
Little ones get a sweet deal at some buffets. Kids two and under have eaten free at past holiday spreads.
Thanksgiving makes a great first visit. If the turkey and Pasta Diablo win you over, the weekly lunch buffet keeps the fun going all year.
Iowa has plenty of places to eat on a holiday. Few offer a mix of gyros, gravy, and handmade pasta for under 25 dollars.
That’s a holiday tradition worth starting, one garlic knot at a time.