Anyone know anything about Greek Restraunts?

silhouettes
silhouettes Posts: 517 Member
edited October 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I may be going to a Greek Restraunt in the next few days/weeks, not sure when... but I have never been before and I am looking forward to it.

I love Greece and plan on visiting one day and although I know an American restraunt can't capture exactly what they enjoy there, it is better than nothing.

So, calories aside (I will have to have a cheat day.. I want to really try the food, not limit myse-lf) anyone have any suggestions on what to try... what tastes good at greek restraunts? What is the main food they enjoy?

I'd appreciate any help.. I see a menu, but I am blank on what to try!

Replies

  • poustotah
    poustotah Posts: 1,121 Member
    Mousaka!!! It's really good. Gyros are good. Kebab, dolmades, andthe Greek salad.
  • AEB_WV
    AEB_WV Posts: 323 Member
    Most Greek food is probably fairly healthy! I love hummus and tebouleh (salad of parsely, onions, tomatoes-probably misspelled) with pita bread...olives of all kinds.....Greek salad with feta mmmmmm. If they have grape leaves with lamb or something stuffed inside that is usually pretty good. Gyros are awesome too, usually lamb or beef in a pita with a nice cucumber sauce. We've made that at home with chicken - the cucumber sauce is yogurt based.
  • silhouettes
    silhouettes Posts: 517 Member
    I see they eat lamb alot, never had lamb.. what does it taste like?
  • Jenninedinburgh
    Jenninedinburgh Posts: 70 Member
    I have been to Greece several times and I love their food! Mmmm. As a lot of their food tends to follow a traditional med diet, you might not have to limit yourself that much.

    I LOVE:

    *Greek chicken - they usually make this with olive oil, lemons and spices and then roast it
    * Greek soups - very Mediterranean and tomato or seafood based
    * Greek salads....my mouth is watering now!

    I could go on and on. Their food is basic good and wholesome foods - now the US versions are probably filled with more pasta and more Italian than Greek - at least that's been my experience. I've tended to see more Chicken Tetrazzinis type dishes in the US restaurants as it's lost of cheese and pasta - so VERY fattening.

    If I were you, I would go for chicken/fish dishes, salads and soups. They are oh so good and not so bad for you :)

    MMmm, please post here and let us know what you had and if you enjoyed it.
  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    I see they eat lamb alot, never had lamb.. what does it taste like?

    Tender, slightly gamey.

    Ever had goat's milk? It has a hint of that tang taste.
  • Maryfullofgrace
    Maryfullofgrace Posts: 342 Member
    Greek food !!!! Most of it is very healthful! The restaurant I go to has a grilled chicken dish that comes with just basic marinated chicken, (usually the standard Greek marinade is Olive oil, lemon juice and oregano) a side of rice mixed with vegetables and a little salad. I also enjoy the gyros. Which is beef and lamb with grilled onions on a flat bread with a little cucumber. You sometimes get a nice yogurt with the sandwich that has some cucumber in it...
  • lostredsock
    lostredsock Posts: 24 Member
    Souvlaki is generally pretty healthy, marinated meat of your choice in lemon, olive oil and oregano. (There does tend to be alot of oil in these dishes, so be careful there)

    Tzatziki is a yogurt cucumber dip that shouldn't be missed, it is delicious.

    Avgolemono is a greek lemon chicken soup... one of my all time faves.

    The moussaka and pasticcio casserole type dishes are yummy, but very very calorie laden, proceed with caution.

    Good luck and enjoy!
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    spanokopita

    pastistio

    dolmades

    gyros
  • mikethom
    mikethom Posts: 183 Member
    A lot of Greek restaurants offer a combo platter that will give you small servings of several dishes; a good way to get lot of variety.

    With Greek salad most restaurants offer two types there is the standard "North American" salad which usual includes romaine or some other type of lettuce and there is the "horiatiki" which is usually the same ingredients except for the lettuce. I prefer the horiatiki although it usually costs a little more at least I not paying for filler lettuce.

    I love lamb! It has a distinct flavour that I would only compare to goat or mutton as it has a much milder flavour than either of those and is also more tender. Most recpies we have for lamb are actually derrived from mutton recipes. If you haven't tried lamb before I would recommend it but I've noticed that people either really like lamb or really hate it.

    The deserts tend to be very sweet, but they are very good!
  • Just1forMe
    Just1forMe Posts: 624 Member
    If you've never had a real Gyros you have to have that....YUM! Souvlaki is also excellent...lamb, beef or chicken. I can't go to a Greek Restaurant without getting Saganaki (flaming cheese) and an order of taramosalata & tzatziki with greek bread. If you are adventurous, try it. You put the taramosalata on the bread first, then top with tzatziki. It is amazing! Also if you like garlic, try the Skordalia spread as well...you put that on bread alone and it is delicious (like a garlic mashed potato spread).
    Spanakopita or Spanakotiropita (spinach pie) is SO good!
    Loukoumades (like fried dough with honey drizzled over them) and Galaktoburiko (a custard pie in phyllo dough) are both amazing desserts to try.

    What we do is have one person order the Gyros plate & one order Souvlaki and then order all of the above and share :) Then you get to try everything. I am so jealous!! We are from Chicago and my husband is 1/2 greek and my SIL's family on my side is all Greek. We are headed to Chicago (and Greek Town) over Christmas!!! I can't wait! There are no really good Greek restaurants in Georgia :(

    Enjoy! And come back and tell us about it so we can drool over our computer keyboards :)
  • Givemewings
    Givemewings Posts: 864 Member
    Pastitsio is nice , with mince and pasta, and moussaka is lovely, but it's true they are very calorific. Souvlaki is good if cooked correctly. My favourite ( although not too healthy!) is aubergines slices fried in batter tyrocroketes ( like fried cheese balls), saganaki ( fried cheese, very bad for you) and greek slad with feta.
  • writtenINthestars
    writtenINthestars Posts: 1,933 Member
    I haven't tried any Greek food that I DIDN'T like!

    My buddy from Greek got me into loving lamb...it's a bit of a different texture but the taste is definately different and a bit sweeter IMO...kabobs are delicious.

    All the damn desserts are delicious...and of course..you must try a bit of moussaka.
  • smpreston
    smpreston Posts: 262 Member
    I married into a Greek gamily and love the food. I would go with the combo platters and sample things. Maybe split one with another person.
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