Greektown provides taste of home

Nestled in a corner of the I-90 and I-290 expressway, conveniently wedged into a one-block wide stretch, and within walking distance from Grant Park, Greektown is one of the most accessible of Chicago’s many ethnic villages. Filled with restaurants, boutiques, and other shops with a Greek twist, it’s become a place for senior Ioannis Nikas to connect with his Greek heritage outside of his home.

“Most times [I go] for food,” Ioannis said. “Either we actually sit down at a place to eat or we go to this small supermarket that has imported stuff. However, we do go once or twice a year for cultural events. For example, every year there is a parade there for Greek independence day.”

Greek Islands, at the corner of Halsted and Adams streets, is a restaurant where Ioannis often goes for delicious Greek food. In fact, he goes so often that he knows the family that owns the restaurant.

“It’s a family-owned business,” Ioannis said. “They own both the stores, here and in the suburbs.”

As soon as we entered, it felt as though we were transported to a different place. The entrance is a long hallway, with fish laying in ice on a fake hawker’s stand on one side and a shelf filled with amphoras and other jars on the other. The restaurant had little wait at 6 p.m. on a Friday, and Ioannis conversed in Greek with the host.

“Since I’m Greek, being in a place where so many people speak the language makes you feel at home in a way,” Ioannis said. “I really like the atmosphere and the music in the background that reminds me of Greece. And of course the food only makes this feeling stronger.”

We ordered tirokafteri (feta cheese blended with peppers) and melitzanosalata (eggplant blended with garlic, potatoes and olive oil) alongside grilled octopus and fried zucchini with skordalia, a traditional garlic sauce. For a main meal, we had saganaki (fried cheese) and arni fournou (a lamb loin served with potatoes). All-in-all, the meal came down to about $20 a person.

“It’s definitely good,” Ioannis said. “They do a great job of recreating the flavors for foods that we ordered. If you get some other stuff it would be better, and for others, worse, but for what we got, it was solid.”

“My favorite thing about it is that I really feel like I’m in Greece for a little moment,” Ioannis continued.

Just a block and a half south lies Artopolis, a self-described “bakery, café and agora.” With an open seating plan and stands for coffee, baked goods and Greek gifts like honey, olive oil and marinated onions, Artopolis fulfills all three of those descriptors. Ioannis goes for the food and the community.

“They are probably the best Greek bakery in the city, so that’s enough for me to love the place,” Ioannis said. “On top of that, the place is usually filled with Greek people since it’s a café as well. During events like the World Cup, places like it are an awesome environment to be in to support your country’s team.”

Galaktoboureko and melomakarono are just a few traditional greek pastries served at Artopolis.

The galaktoboureko, a pastry made of custard between two sheets of pastry, and the melomakarona, a traditional honey cookie with an almond inside, were Ioannis’ choices.

Although he doesn’t go to Artopolis very often, he recommends it as a good choice for a casual Greek dining experience.

For Ioannis, Greektown serves as a great place to enjoy his Greek heritage and not just eat good Greek food. The people and the places remind him of his Greek heritage.

“Like this stuff [is traditional Greek food]” Ioannis said. “Seasoned meat and seafood.”

Greek Islands: 200 S. Halsted St.

Greek Islands Reviews

Artopolis: 306 S. Halsted St.

Artopolis Reviews