For several generations, the name Massad has been synonymous with culinary excellence-both in the Bekka Valley of Lebanon and in Mankato, Minnesota. With over 40 years in the food business, John Massad continues to be a master at his craft. As a young boy he decided to take over his family businesses in Lebanon and has never looked back.
In 1971, John married Najwa and they had two daughters, Meray and Karla. Together John and Najwa have etched themselves in the fabric of Mankato's culinary culture with Olives, Massad's Grille, and Najwas Catering. Our entrees draw on classical Mediterranean and American cooking techniques with a lighter modern approach to the culinary arts.
In 1971, John married Najwa and they had two daughters, Meray and Karla. Together John and Najwa have etched themselves in the fabric of Mankato's culinary culture with Olives, Massad's Grille, and Najwas Catering. Our entrees draw on classical Mediterranean and American cooking techniques with a lighter modern approach to the culinary arts.
Reviews (22)
Nicole Elzenga
Jan 16, 2022
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The service was great. They have downsized their menu due to costs, no quail, duck or lamb. The other menu choices are great. I had the small caprese salad and the chocolate martini. Son has prawns with angel hair pasta and a grape tomato with mozzarella balls salad. Hubby had the Phoenix & Dragon dish pasta with a curry sauce with shrimp & chicken. They were not serving creme brulee so we skipped dessert. We will definitely go back because the food is delicious and friendly service!
Sam
Jan 04, 2022
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My boyfriend and I had the spinach and artichoke dip, curry pasta and blue cheese steak and we were absolutely blown away. Our server was super professional and Alyssa did an amazing job on everything we ate and I heard comments about how good the food was from everyone in the large group that was seated next to us. It was our first time at Olives, and it definitely won’t be our last! We were too full to try any of the desserts but the spread looked amazing
Tania A.
Jan 01, 2022
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This restaurant is a fabulous culinary delight, Starting with the dirty martini, including homemade stuffed blue cheese olives!
Side fact:
My granddaughter said the Sherly Temple was also the best she has ever had
appetizers... Best Onion Rings I have eaten besides my recipe.
The Chicken Satay has no equal! It is juicy and has an intense flavor.
Dinner was exceptional, and the homemade desserts were a great finishing touch.
Our server Brooklyn was friendly and highly attentive, along with the other team members.
I appreciate a place that pays attention to the little things where you feel special
Side fact:
My granddaughter said the Sherly Temple was also the best she has ever had
appetizers... Best Onion Rings I have eaten besides my recipe.
The Chicken Satay has no equal! It is juicy and has an intense flavor.
Dinner was exceptional, and the homemade desserts were a great finishing touch.
Our server Brooklyn was friendly and highly attentive, along with the other team members.
I appreciate a place that pays attention to the little things where you feel special
Lori S.
Dec 03, 2021
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Michelle Buchholz
Nov 19, 2021
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Amanda Jo Graham
Oct 17, 2021
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Dustin Eicholz
Aug 13, 2021
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There's not alot to be said, it's quality food and service. Drinks are done beautifully, appetizers are quick but could do with the amount of garnish, entrees were out in a reasonable time plates perfect on presentation. Service wise its quite nice everyone is very attentive from front of house to the cooks themselves. Great experience.
Darin Amdahl
Jun 16, 2021
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Nura K.
Apr 30, 2021
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I have a few constructive criticisms, the food was okay. There is definitely room for improvement, I'm from NYC, lived in Minneapolis, MN, and now I'm here in Mankato for school. I was craving Mediterranean food, and I have already tried swarmania and wanted something different. Anyway, tonight for dinner I ordered the chicken and beef kebabs, the spinach and artichoke dip, and also the Dragon pasta. I'll start with the spinach and artichoke dip, I've had the best spinach and artichoke dip at this cute little restaurant in St.Paul MN, so I was using it as reference. It was decently
Michael W.
Apr 04, 2020
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Hasan A.
Apr 01, 2020
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Raj D.
Mar 06, 2020
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This facility is inside the Hilton Garden Inn and near the convention center. It's been almost 2 years since I stopped by. Well... It's still quite good. My choice has always been the Massa Salad w Mediterranean Chicken. It's an elegant dish. The salad is huge. I ordered shrimp in pesto apps and chicken satay apps.... To go. Just can't eat that much in one sitting!
Sami G.
Nov 27, 2019
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Had high hopes but it was it was marginal at best. Started with the spinach and artichoke dip. Bleh. Ordered the filet for the main course. I was seated right by the kitchen and kept hoping yO hear the sizzle of my steak but the kitchen was radio silent. The filet came out rare (ordered med rare) and Luke warm. There was pre made grill marks and not one bit of crispness on it. Maybe microwaved?? The gnocchi was good. Way too much sauce on the steak side. The place was not busy but both appetizer and main meal were very slow. Wine was good.
Am back for breakfast but couldn't
Am back for breakfast but couldn't
Ben Wiechmann
Nov 19, 2019
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The lunch buffet can't be beat in Mankato. It now costs $11.95 and is worth every penny. Cold sandwiches, six salads, bread, meats, cheeses, and olives. The soup of the day is also included but you need to ask a waitress to bring it to you. Many parking options in the area. Great, quick, and friendly service. If you're looking for somewhere a little more upscale but still casual for lunch, this is it.
Kenneth E.
Nov 05, 2019
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John M.
Jul 04, 2019
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I'm originally from Mankato, was visiting the city for an anniversary and decided to try Olives.
My current home is in the northern suburbs of Chicago and my wife and I eat at restaurants 2-3 times per week, the average tab for dinner is between $50 & $80.
We ate a Olives Thursday evening, June 20, 2019. Tab total $73.00
The longer my wife and discussed the Olives Restaurant experience the more disgusted we became and I arrived at the opinion that it was the "worst value" meal I have ever eaten! I had the teriyaki pork tenderloin and she had a sliced chicken breast over
My current home is in the northern suburbs of Chicago and my wife and I eat at restaurants 2-3 times per week, the average tab for dinner is between $50 & $80.
We ate a Olives Thursday evening, June 20, 2019. Tab total $73.00
The longer my wife and discussed the Olives Restaurant experience the more disgusted we became and I arrived at the opinion that it was the "worst value" meal I have ever eaten! I had the teriyaki pork tenderloin and she had a sliced chicken breast over
Holly H.
Jun 23, 2019
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Disappointing.....the hours state they close at 10pm for dinner and our baseball team walked into the restaurant at 9:25 pm and was told the kitchen was closed. Viewed 3 people sitting at the bar eating when we were turned away. We are staying at the adjoining Hilton hotel and came back specifically to eat. Don't advertise dinner hours if your not going to honor them.
John J.
May 18, 2019
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Mark A.
Dec 11, 2017
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Table of 7 of us. A round of cocktails and we were ready for dinner.
I had a dinner salad and French Onion soup. The salad was good.
I think the soup was prepared by a comedian in the kitchen. It was served in a regular soup bowl with a little chuck of bread and a dap of cheese the size of a 50 cent piece melted on top of the bread. Not the crock of onion soup one would usually expect.
Fortunately the kitchen redeemed themselves. I ordered the lamb, medium rare. Folks, lamb does not get any better than this!
Had the NY cheese cake for dessert. Excellent taste and presentation!
Overall, this is
I had a dinner salad and French Onion soup. The salad was good.
I think the soup was prepared by a comedian in the kitchen. It was served in a regular soup bowl with a little chuck of bread and a dap of cheese the size of a 50 cent piece melted on top of the bread. Not the crock of onion soup one would usually expect.
Fortunately the kitchen redeemed themselves. I ordered the lamb, medium rare. Folks, lamb does not get any better than this!
Had the NY cheese cake for dessert. Excellent taste and presentation!
Overall, this is
Rhonda G.
Oct 29, 2017
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This place is pretty awesome. For a parking garage it's not bad because the first level is reserved for the restaurant. It was a mistake not to get the chicken. Next time. I got the Intl. dinner cause I was in the mood for steak. Big misteak. It was the steak Diane which was good but not hot enough. However they force another entree with this one and it's Szh. pork, which doesn't mix taste buds with at all. I gave that to Basil. I dare you not to get a dessert. They are behind the counter as you walk in. The strawberry shortcake was unconventional, yet tasty. What put this over the
Emily K.
Aug 14, 2017
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Assaulting. This is the best way to describe every dish I had here during a recent visit. I travel for work and eat out a lot and have never felt inclined to rate a restaurant so poorly. I was very excited about the restaurant because of the convenience, the atmosphere, and mostly positive reviews but soon felt differently.
Dinner started off well with the complimentary bread and olives - my favorite part! We then ordered the crostini as an appetizer because the flavor combinations seemed great but this was a mistake. There was so much wasted potential because there was absolutely no blend of
Dinner started off well with the complimentary bread and olives - my favorite part! We then ordered the crostini as an appetizer because the flavor combinations seemed great but this was a mistake. There was so much wasted potential because there was absolutely no blend of
Mikhala S.
Jun 19, 2017
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A warm welcome to Mankato! We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Mankato and we're hungry for lunch upon arrival. We were greeted by a friendly server who not only recommended the best dishes for us so share, but also gave us tips on what to see, do, and places to eat and drink in Mankato and New Ulm. We ended up taking her recommendation on not only the things to do, but the food as well, and we're so glad we did! We ordered the Mediterranean Mezze, the edamame, and the schwarma pizza. The mezze was delicious and had spectacular baba ganosh! I'm gluten free so the server brought me
