In Greek mythology, Apollo, the God of Light, was among those powerful of the deities.

The son of Zeus and Lido, and the twin of Sister Artemis, Apollo was said to have taught

mortal men the science of medicine, but it was hardly a paragon of virtue.

Apollo insulted Aros, more commonly known by his Roman name, Cupid, leading the true

bit God of sexuality to shoot him with a golden arrow, causing Apollo to fall wildly in

love with a niad, or water nymph.

Aros then shot a second arrow into the new target of Apollo's affection, imbuing the nymph

with a deep hatred of her would-be bow.

Driven mad by desire, Apollo pursued the niad relentlessly, leading the nymph to cry

out to the river god Peneas, opened the earth to enclose me, or changed my form, which

has brought me into this danger, let me be free of this man from this moment forward.

Peneas answered her, please, transmuting her into a laurel.

So desperate was she to evade Apollo's amorous advances, she would choose to discard her

human form, and become a tree.

Fast forward from the tall tales of ancient Greece to 20th century California, where in

1991, Restorator George Catecholetus opened a fast casual Greek concept in the SoCal

town of Carl's Bad.

The Mediterranean flavor profiles in light healthy, fair-led Californians to pursue its

cuisine like smitten gods themselves.

Now with 56 locations across California, Arizona, and Colorado, and plans to franchise

nation-wide, this Greek restaurant takes its name from the water nymph with whom Apollo

fell helplessly in love.

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