Greek Eatery a Yummy Delight in Skokie

Greek fast-food joints may be ubiquitous throughout the North Shore, but  is an excellent spot worth seeking out.

The no-frills restaurant at 3938 Dempster St. features plain wooden tables and benches, with walls decorated by photos of Greece. Two TVs hang in the corners, so customers can watch a game while grabbing a quick bite. The spot is patronized by a blend of local workers, teenagers and police officers eating in or taking out. Chickens roast on spits behind the counter, filling the place with a wonderful smell.

The server at the counter must have recognized my boyfriend and me as first timers when we stood and gaped at the huge menu. She was very friendly, helpfully suggesting the day’s special: the Greek burger that comes with a side of fries and a drink ($7.75). She also praised the half chicken dinner ($6.45), gyros plate ($6.95) and chicken breast plate ($7.25), and then after a little thought said I should go with the chicken breast. The chicken can be served plain or barbecue-, Cajun- or Greek-style. Greek seemed most appropriate, so that’s what I went with.

She called us to come back to the counter to grab our trays soon after the order was placed. The food took just long enough for us to know it was being cooked fresh. The dishes are nicely presented and the plates aren’t disposable, making it feel a fair bit classier than most counter service spots.

Excellent choices 

Her recommendations proved excellent. The Greek burger was particularly good, featuring a half-pound of Angus beef seasoned with salt, pepper and oregano and covered in gyro meat, sauce, feta cheese and French fries. The flavors mixed perfectly, like eating a burger, a gyro and Greek fries all in one bite. The feta was excellent and I scooped up any that dripped out of my boyfriend’s burger with the fries, which were crisp on the outside but fluffy inside.

The chicken breast was also great. The plate includes two large pieces of chicken, two sides, coleslaw and a big slice of garlic bread. The thin cuts of white meat were lightly charred and crispy but tender inside, and each bite was packed with the flavors of oregano and lemon juice. The extra sauce worked well as a dip for my side of fries. The crunchy garlic bread was so good my boyfriend kept stealing bites.

 The one disappointment was the side salad. More like a pile of sandwich fillers than an actual salad, it consisted of an unappealing mix of shredded lettuce and slices of onion and tomato with dressing on the side. Even without touching it, my meal was still big enough that I took most of the leftover chicken breast home with me. This seems like pretty standard practice as to-go boxes are arranged on the counter for self-service.

After finishing up our food, I went back to the counter to pick up a slice of baklava. The server asked how I’d liked the chicken and seemed genuinely pleased that I enjoyed her suggestion. Unfortunately, the baklava wasn’t as good as it looked. There was too much honey, which pooled on the plate and made the upper layers soggy and bottom layer of pastry stick to the Styrofoam.

Despite a few missteps, Grecian Kitchen Delight makes for a great place for a quick bite or a reasonably priced family meal. If you go, make sure to pick up a delivery menu in case the weather makes you decide to do your next dinner and a movie at home.