Originally aired on YPR’s Flavors Under the Big Sky
The “Opa!” spirit reigns at The Athenian Greek Restaurant in Billings. For over 40 years, Alex Renzios has been sharing the cheer and food from her heritage at the Athenian. The restaurant, started by her husband Nick and his two brothers Tom and Chris in 1979, has flavored the Billings Trailhead with dishes from Epirus, the northwest region of Greece.
Initially, Nick and Chris cooked until Alex came in to take over the kitchen several years later, after her kids were grown. To this day, Nick helps with prep and makes the soups, but Alex fires up the food for guests six days a week, nine plus hours a day. The restaurant closes on Sundays and opens the rest of the week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m…