Unique Greek Eatery Debuts In Chelmsford

CHELMSFORD, MA — A Massachusetts chef is bringing a restaurant inspired by his Greek-American heritage to his hometown.

Kri Kri Grill opened on Friday at 18 Boston Rd. in Chelmsford as a family-owned, 36-seat counter-service restaurant serving made-to-order Greek food for dine-in, takeout and delivery.

Brendan Pelley, a third-generation Greek American who grew up in Chelmsford and currently lives there with his family, based the restaurant on family recipes and the Greek tavernas he experienced during his youth and travels.

The menu includes avgolemono soup, grilled dolmades and Papou’s spanakopita along with pita sandwiches, rice bowls, salads and traditional plates. Protein options include harissa chicken, spiced lamb meatballs and roasted garlic and miso pork.

An unconventional offering is the Smashed Bifteki, a Greek-style smashburger made with dried mint, feta and Kri Kri sauce.

Much of the menu is prepared from scratch, including sourdough pita, hand-stacked gyro meats, fermented Greek hot sauce and maidanosalata, a parsley-based sauce made with capers, garlic, vinegar and lemon.

Traditional plates include baked lamb shank, chicken lemonata, taverna eggplant and pastitsio. The restaurant will also offer rotating fish and seafood specials and dishes featuring seasonal foraged ingredients.

Dessert options include house-made ice cream in baklava, Greek coffee and vanilla and olive oil flavors. A float inspired by Chelmsford Ginger Ale will also be available.

Pelley has more than 25 years of culinary experience and has served as culinary director of Krasi, Bar Vlaha, Greco and Kaia. He has also appeared on “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Beat Bobby Flay” and PBS’s “Weekends with Yankee.”

Kri Kri Grill will initially be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The restaurant plans to expand to seven-day service and add longer Friday and Saturday hours. A seasonal outdoor patio is expected to open later this summer.

Online ordering and additional information are available through the Kri Kri Grill website.

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