In the colorful neighborhood of Greektown, Greek Islands is hot, and it’s not just the flaming saganaki. This huge restaurant can seat nearly 400 people at a time, so there can be as many as 25 waiters serving a thousand diners a night. Greek Islands serves up everything from calamari to mousaka to baked octopus and imports its quality wines, herbs, extra-virgin olive oil, and cheeses directly from Greece. With the heavy competition between all the Greek restaurants in the area, it has stayed in business since 1971 by keeping prices low and food quality high.
This casual restaurant sets the mood with white stucco walls and cool sea colors like blue and coral. The massive eatery is divided into four large dining areas, which are usually full of happy customers. The atmosphere may inspire you to explore a few unknown Greek entrees, and if your company is just as adventurous, Greek Islands offers a variety of appetizers and entrees that can be made “family-style,” which 2 or more people can share.
The menu is huge, containing nearly every Mediterranean dish you can think of and then some. Seafood plays a significant role in the selection, including tasty items like shrimp tourkolimano, broiled swordfish shish kabob, and fresh Greek sea bass. The towering gyros plate is a favorite, of course, but don’t pass too quickly over the garides (baked shrimp, feta, and tomato sauce served over rice) or dolmades (tender grape leaves stuffed with rice, ground meat, and herbs). And if you like lamb, there’s plenty to choose from: arni with spinach rice, arni aginarato (lamb with fresh artichokes), arni fournou (baked lamb served with oven-browned potatoes), kokkinisto (lamb braised in tomato sauce) the list goes on. Be sure to finish off the meal with a great dessert like karidopita (a sweet spice cake flavored with cinnamon and chopped walnuts) or sokolatina (layers of chocolate cake and filling).
And even though the restaurant attracts throngs of people, a table is usually available with minimal waiting time… just long enough to grab a glass of wine from the bar.
Photo credit: zesmerelda
Greek Islands ($$): 200 S Halsted; 312-782-9855
Sun - Thurs: 11:00 a.m. - 12 midnight
Fri - Sat: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Free valet
Public trans: Bus # 8, 126 or Blue Line train (UIC-Halsted)
http://www.greekislands.net/
